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CATHEDRAL ANNOUNCES MUSIC DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS Washington National Cathedral is pleased to announce that Dr. James Litton has agreed to remain at the Cathedral as choirmaster for an additional year. Further, Erik Suter will become organist and associate choirmaster with expanded responsibility for the Cathedral’s instrumental needs, concert programs, and the day-to-day administration of the music program. Scott Hanoian, who came to the Cathedral last year as its organ scholar, will assume the position of Assistant Organist and Choirmaster. In his new position, Mr. Hanoian formally takes over administration of the Cathedral’s visiting choir program as well as duties regarding novice and junior choristers. He will also provide musical and administrative support to Mr. Litton and Mr. Suter. Angela Calo continues as coordinator of the music office. Dr. Litton has a distinguished reputation as a specialist in children’s choral techniques. He recently retired after nearly 20 years as the Litton-Lodal Music Director and Conductor of The American Boychoir and has conducted more than 2,500 concerts in 48 states and around the world. At Washington National Cathedral, he has conducted the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah with the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys with orchestra and has been instrumental in recording a Christmas program for National Public Radio’s release this holiday season. Dr. Litton’s previous appointments include assistant professor of organ at Westminster Choir College, where he also headed the Church Music Department, and director of music at Princeton Theological Seminary. He continues to bless the Cathedral with his expertise with both boy and girl treble voices. A former member of the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Church Music, he participated in the preparation and publication of the Hymnal 1982. For 13 years, Dr. Litton was Organist and Director of Music at St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City, where he now serves as Artistic Consultant. Erik Suter, a native of Chicago, holds degrees in organ performance from Oberlin Conservatory and Yale University. He was selected as a finalist in the American Guild of Organist’s 2002 National Competition in Organ Playing in Philadelphia. Among numerous other honors, Mr. Suter has won first prize in the Yale Biennial Organ Competition, the Conrad Sulzer Young Performer’s Piano Competition, and the 1993 Chicago American Guild of Organists Young Organist’s Competition. He also received the Gold Medal of the Mayor of Musashino/Tokyo in the city’s international organ competition. He previously served at Trinity Church, Copley Square, The Parish of All Saints, Ashmont—both in Boston—and Trinity Church in New Haven. Scott Hanoian, a native of Canton, Michigan, recently finished graduate studies at the University of Michigan with degrees in choral conducting, organ performance, and church music. Upon graduation from the Interlochen Arts Academy, he was placed on the Director’s High Honors list and was presented with the Young Artist Award, the highest honor a student can receive at Interlochen. Formerly, Mr. Hanoian served as the assistant organist at Christ Episcopal Church in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, whose choirs he accompanied on trips to Great Britain, Italy, and France. The Cathedral is pleased to have such distinguished musicians on its staff. Office of Public Affairs |