Philip Denton
Music Director
Philip Denton is no stranger to the Vancouver Master Chorale and its rich musical history. He considered applying to direct the VMC when Ron Frasier retired from leading the choir in 2010. But at the time, Philip was only a few years out of college, and he decided that he was too young.
However, Philip has sung with VMC on-and-off for the past 15 years — along with soloing and directing some pieces — and was quick to apply when Jana Hart retired last year. Philip, now 43, was the overwhelming choice of the VMC search committee to become VMC’s new director.
Philip has been passionate about music since he was a child. His father was in the U.S. Air Force, so the family moved several times as Philip grew up: Ohio; New Mexico; Ottawa, Canada; and Northern Virginia. Then the family moved to Chicago, where Philip went to high school.
He started taking piano lessons at 4, played cello in his high school orchestra and then added choral music to his repertoire. “I thought, ‘this is awesome,” he said. “I found a new group of friends, a family I could be part of.” From that point on, knew that he wanted to be a music teacher.
Philip went to to the University of Kansas, where he received a B.A. in music education. Just out out college, he got a job teaching choir at Skyview High School, where he has stayed for the past 19 years. In 2022, he added a master’s degree in music education from Central Washington University to his resume.
Philip teaches two choirs at Alki Middle School, and two choirs and a theater class at Skyview. Though he previously led Skyview’s chamber orchestra, “My passion is really with choral music,” he said.
“If you want to be healthier, join a choir. It’s one of the best things you can do for yourself, your physical health, your social health,” he said.
Philip sings in Chor Anno, a group of Washington music educators, and in Choro in Scola, a Portland-based group that works with high school choirs.
He has wide musical tastes. “I have a soft spot for early music, like Josquin du Prez,” he said. “I also really like singer-songwriters from the ‘70s. I love a little disco, alternative 90s stuff. .. I like 20th century music more than most people do,” he said.
Philip lives in Vancouver with his husband, a 19-year-old cat and a rabbit. His hobbies are reading, cooking, knitting and crocheting.
He’s looking forward to many seasons to come with VMC. “I see no reason why we can’t be here for the 100th anniversary, 25 years from now,” he said.