A Song of Thanksgiving: NCS Memories of Ben Hutto

National Cathedral School was deeply saddened by the death Sept. 29, 2015, of Benjamin Hutto, director of the coordinate performing arts program at NCS and St. Albans School. Mr. Hutto, who was 67, had a large impact on arts education and student life since coming to the Close in 1999. Two indicators of that impact: Participation in the choral program grew from 18 to nearly 200 during his tenure, and NCS and St. Albans artists now regularly perform around the country and around the world.

 

"I believe the arts are the measure of the quality of a nation," Mr. Hutto said in a 2009 interview. "As a school, we should produce leaders who understand that the arts need to be fostered and encouraged."

 

His passing inspired an outpouring of remembrances in emails and on social media from students who were transformed by his lessons. Here are some of the memories and photographs of Mr. Hutto shared by members of the NCS community:

 

"Counting all divisions, each year Mr. Hutto directed about 250 students in four different ensembles. These young people have sung all over the world: in Australia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Kings Dominion. But, most importantly, they all sing in the Cathedral, in this majestic and somewhat intimidating space that hundreds of young people have made theirs by imprinting their voices and their love of music. ... How I miss seeing you here, dear Ben, dear friend, in this beautiful space that is so full of you."

 

"I was a really anxious, type-A teenager. Mr. Hutto helped me channel this nervous energy into music- making. We stayed in touch after I graduated, and he continued to be a source of support and guidance as I became a professional classical singer. I will miss his rowdy wit, his keen intelligence, his elegant conducting, and his incredible mentorship. I am a better musician and person because of him."

 

"I will remember Mr. Hutto exactly as he was after we finished the offertory piece during Lessons and Carols. Two hundred singers, instrumentalists, and dancers. A thousand audience members. And no one even came close to looking as happy as he did."

 

"I will miss that moment after every piece when you would clasp your hands together and mouth, 'Thank you.' It is our turn to thank you, Mr. Hutto."

 

"Mr. Hutto often used stories as a teaching tool—for instance, to explain how he wanted a piece to sound or to describe the mood our performance should convey. On one particular song, we kept missing our entrance. Mr. Hutto's solution was to tell the story of an old lady who had a fast car. When asked why she needed a car like that, she would respond, 'Because when I step on the gas to go, I don't want my car to ask me why.' 'Now,' Mr. Hutto said, 'when I cue you ladies to go, I want you to be like that old lady's car. Just go!' "

 

"Whenever I think back on my time at NCS, there is always music playing in the background of my mind. Hearst Hall, the Cathedral, the Cathedral grounds will all forever ring with 'A Seed of Grain' and 'Shosholoza.' Music was not only his life but his gift to both his students and this world. He taught that music could not only be sound art but could be anything near and dear to you so long as you opened your heart and soul to it."

 

"I learned to be confident in my abilities and proud of my work, thanks to Mr. Hutto. He trusted me to be a capable singer and leader, so that's what I became. When I made a dumb mistake, he told me, 'You should know better,' and I did, thanks to him. My biggest regret is never expressing the depth of my gratitude while I was still his student."

 

"It was after attending a Chorale rehearsal on my shadow day that I decided I wanted to be a NCS student. Not only am I a better musician, I am a better person because I knew Mr. Hutto."

 

"When I became a founding member of the Cathedral's Girls Choir in 1997, it meant I would no longer be able to participate fully in activities with Chorale—an arrangement that left me devastated. Mr. Hutto sensed this immediately, and he insisted that I join Chorale for any and every performance and service, despite the fact that I could rarely attend rehearsals with the group. His kindness, acceptance, light-heartedness, and innate passion for music are still what stand out the most to me about him, nearly two decades later."