Explore our Curriculum

Department

MS Music

NCS offers Middle School students opportunities to develop musical skill through participation in coordinate choral and instrumental ensembles, such as Coordinate Chorus, Orchestra, and Cathedral Choristers. Students explore a wide variety of repertoire and music curricula and perform throughout the year as part of concerts, services, and special events at Washington National Cathedral, across the DC metro area, and at adjudication festivals.

Cathedral Choristers MS

The Cathedral Choristers are an auditioned choir of 20 girls drawn from grades 7 through 12. The normal route of entry into the choir is through the novice chorister program, which begins in grade 6 from both within and without the NCS community. The choristers rehearse first period each morning during the academic year and sing two to four services a week at the Cathedral, some as part of the The Washington National Choir of Men and Girls. The girls are also involved in occasional singing engagements both in the area and away.
MS Chorus

MS Chorus is a choral ensemble in which singers develop healthy vocal technique and ensemble skills through the exploration of a wide variety of repertoire and styles. The chorus collaborates with Form I & II singers from St. Albans at various points during the year. Annual performance opportunities include fall and spring concerts, the Independent Middle School Choral Festival, the NCS-STA Service of Lessons and Carols, an adjudication trip, and various cathedral and chapel services and other occasions. In addition to the performance repertoire, students develop their individual musicianship skills.
MS Orchestra

This year-long course emphasizes the fundamentals of ensemble playing through weekly rehearsals. The Orchestra is coordinate with St. Albans and offers performances throughout the year, often in conjunction with other musical groups. Members must be able to demonstrate basic capability on an instrument in order to join and should concurrently be taking private instrumental lessons, either through the school or independently.
Whitechapel Guild MS

This yearlong course introduces 8th-graders to the art and science of English “change ringing.” Students are taught the basics of ringing (or “handling”) on the large English change ringing bells hanging in the Cathedral’s central tower. In addition, they are introduced to simple change ringing theory using handbells. By fourth quarter, students start to ring as a group and may be able to join Upper School members of the Guild in simple change ringing before the end of the school year.

Department Faculty

A. Scott Wood

Director of Instrumental Music & Music Department Chair

202-537-2205
Bio
A. Scott Wood, who joined the NCS faculty in 1995, holds the Roeckelein Chair in Music and is the director of instrumental music at NCS and St. Albans School. Mr. Wood also conducts the Arlington Philharmonic and the George Washington University Orchestra, and has guest-conducted the Wolf Trap Orchestra, the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, and the Rishon-LeZion (Israel) Orchestra. In 2023, Mr. Wood was elected to the board of directors of the International Conductors Guild. He has served as a judge for the Washington Music Awards ("Wammies") and lectured for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Smithsonian Institution.
Cara Alfano

Music (Cello)

202-537-6379
Bio
Cara Alfano is a freelance cellist, a certified Suzuki cello teacher, and a certified string teacher for area public schools. She has performed at Wolf Trap, Arena Stage, Washington Cathedral, Kennedy Center, embassies and hotels. As a graduate of Catholic University, she studied with members of the Juilliard and Tokyo String Quartets and is a student of Robert Newkirk. For the past 24 years, Ms. Alfano has taught at NCS/St. Albans and maintains a private studio.
Charles Bowers

Associate Choral Director

202-537-6420
Barbra Bradley

Music Teacher (Piano and Harp)

202-537-6690
Bio
Barbra Bailey Bradley, who joined the NCS faculty in 1988, teaches both piano and harp. She freelances on both instruments in the D.C. area. In addition to solo work, she performs in and directs the Heatherwood Harp Ensemble. She has composed original works and created arrangements for harps in solo and ensemble genres, including eight self-published books. In addition, she has recorded three CDs. Originally from Canada, she holds degrees from the University of Western Ontario, the Western Ontario Conservatory of Music, and Indiana University, where she studied both piano and harp.
Julie DeBoer

Chorister Program Director
Luis Garay

Music Teacher (Percussion)
Noah Getz

Music Teacher (Clarinet & Saxophone)
Bio
Dr. Noah Getz joined the NCS faculty in 2002 as the woodwind instructor. He has performed and lectured worldwide, including appearances at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Carnegie Hall and the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. An avid chamber musician, Dr. Getz is a member of the National Gallery of Art's New Music Ensemble and and has performed with the Zohn Collective, the 21st-Century Consort, and PostClassical Ensemble. Dr. Getz holds degrees from Florida State University, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Oberlin Conservatory, and he is a musician-in-residence at American University.
Maribeth Gowen

Music Teacher (Piano)
Annie Loud

Music (Violin & Viola)

703-283-0042
Melissa Richardson

Director of Choral Music, Middle Grades

202-537-6336
John Rodgers

Music Teacher (Guitar)

301-767-3383
Bio
John Rodgers has been teaching guitar at NCS and STA for over 40 years. He studied with John Marlow at American University and Ray Chester at Peabody Conservatory and has attended master classes with many of the world's top performers. He has also served as president of the Washington Guitar Society.
Quilla Roth

Whitechapel Guild Coordinator

202-537-8986
Tom Sheehan

Organist
Charlotte Stewart

Voice Teacher
Bio
Charlotte Stewart '05 grew up singing as a chorister at the National Cathedral as she attended NCS; she returned to the school in 2012 as a voice instructor. She has sung at numerous internationally televised state services and events and has had the honor of singing for five presidents and their vice presidents and Cabinets. A soprano, Ms. Stewart has performed in many opera productions, including Der Rosenkavelier with Renée Fleming. She holds music degrees in vocal performance from Southern Methodist University and the University of Miami.

3612 Woodley Road NW Washington, DC 20016 202.537.6300

Explore our Curriculum

MS Music

Cathedral Choristers MS

MS Chorus

MS Orchestra

Whitechapel Guild MS

Department Faculty