Washington National Cathedral has announced the appointment of Michael McCarthy as Cathedral Director of Music; he will replace the retiring Dr. James Litton.
McCarthy, 37, is founder and current director of the London (England) Oratory School Schola. Founded in 1996, the Schola has become one of London’s premier boys concert choirs, performing regularly on the London concert platform and in the studio for both the recording and film industries. The Schola performs regularly at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and with both the Royal Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestras. Recent recordings for film include Sleepy Hollow, The Lord of the Rings cycle, and Harry Potter.
A graduate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama, McCarthy has worked with numerous professional choirs including The Sixteen, The Gabrieli Consort, and The Monteverdi Choir under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner. In January of 2002 he became the choir manager for The Monteverdi Choir. His experience directing young choristers includes duties as lay clerk at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and St. Alban’s Abbey in Hertfordshire. He also served as master of music at St. Benedict’s Abbey, Ealing, prior to beginning the London Oratory School. As director of music he will oversee the cathedral’s expanding music program, as well as serve as principal choirmaster.
