Eminent US organist dies of rare cancer
mainWeeks after the shocking and sudden death of John Scott, Organist and Director of Music at St Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue, we mourn his Washington colleague, Ben Hutto, director of music at St. John’s Lafayette Square and director of performing arts at the St. Albans School for Boys and the National Cathedral School for Girls.
Ben was 67 and had been diagnosed with a rare cancer of the gallbladder. His death was announced by the Association of Anglican Musicians.
Originally from Charleston, Ben received the call to Washington in 1999.
I have arrived late to this news. I kept in contact with Ben every three months or so and thus was astounded to find he had passed, particularly as he had so obviously failed to mention his illness the last time we corresponded shortly before his death. He was kindness personified when I toured a choir to Washington in December 2013 – he was hospitable, courteous and made the tour so much better for it. I will always treasure an evening at his home sharing choral world gossip over a Bourbon or seven. God bless you Mr Hutto.