Scott Dettra

Scott Dettra (born March 17, 1975) is an American concert organist and church musician. He tours in North America and Europe, and is a former Organist at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Formerly, he was Director of Music and Organist at the Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, Texas.^[1] He is also Organist of The Crossing, a professional chamber choir based in Philadelphia.^[2] From 2007 to 2012, he was Organist of Washington National Cathedral.^[3]

A native of Wilmington, Delaware, he studied music at an early age, beginning piano lessons at age three and organ lessons at age eight, taught primarily by his father.^[4] He holds two degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where he was a student of Joan Lippincott, and has also studied organ and jazz piano at Manhattan School of Music.^[5] He tours extensively as a concert organist, performing at many prominent churches,^[6][7] concert halls,^[8][9] and universities^[10][11] in the United States and abroad.^[12] He has been a featured performer at several national conventions of the American Guild of Organists,^[13][14][15] the Association of Anglican Musicians,^[16] the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the American Choral Directors Association.^[17] Festival appearances include the Lincoln Center Festival, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the Carmel Bach Festival, the Arizona Bach Festival, and the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts.^[18] As a church musician, he has held positions at Trinity Church, Princeton,^[19] Saint Mark's, Locust Street in Philadelphia,^[20] Saint Paul's, K Street in Washington, DC, and Washington National Cathedral.^[21] Other former positions include Keyboard Artist of the Washington Bach Consort,^[3] Assistant Conductor of the Cathedral Choral Society,^[22] and Principal Accompanist of the American Boychoir.^[9]

He is featured on more than 20 recordings as a soloist, conductor, or collaborator.

• Ways You Went with The Crossing (Navona Records, 2024)
• The Anglo-American Classic Organ (Gothic, 2019)
• Choral Evensong for Eastertide with the Incarnation Choir (Gothic, 2018)
• The Holy City: Choral Music of James D'Angelo (Gothic, 2014) ^[23]
• A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols with the Incarnation Choir (Incarnation, 2013)
• New American Choral Music Series: William Bradley Roberts (Gothic, 2013) ^[24]
• Christmas Daybreak with The Crossing (Innova Records, 2013) ^[25]
• Majestus: The Great Organ of Washington National Cathedral (Loft Recordings, 2010) ^[26]
• J.S. Bach - Solo Cantatas with Elizabeth Futral, soprano and the Washington Bach Consort (Lyrichord, 2009) ^[27]
• Evensong: Of Love and Angels - Dominick Argento with the Cathedral Choral Society (Gothic, 2009) ^[28]
• Messiah with the choir of Washington National Cathedral (Gothic, 2010) ^[29]
• Voices of Angels with the American Boychoir (Albemarle, 2004) ^[30]
• Messe Basse with the American Boychoir (Albemarle, 2004) ^[31]
• Lullaby - Music for the Quiet Times with the American Boychoir (Albemarle, 2002) ^[32]
• Litton Live! - The Farewell Concert with the American Boychoir (Albemarle, 2001) ^[33]
• Mass & Vespers for the Feast of the Holy Innocents with the American Boychoir (Linn, 2000) ^[34]
• The Day of Resurrection - Evensong for Easter Day Saint Paul's, K Street (Pro Organo, 1999) ^[35]
• Tongues of Fire (Pro Organo, 1999) ^[36]
• Show Yourselves Joyful Saint Paul's, K Street (Pro Organo, 1997) ^[37]
• The Best of Trinity Choirs Trinity Church, Princeton (1998)
• Christmas in Princeton Trinity Church, Princeton (1996)

Dettra is an avid fan of The Muppets and Star Wars and frequently makes references to both during rehearsals.

• Official website
• Dettra at Karen McFarlane Artists