Locality
Chesterfield County
Occupation
Composer, Conductor & Bass-Baritone
Biography
Damien Geter is an acclaimed American composer who infuses classical music with various styles from the Black diaspora to create works that further the cause of social justice. Born in Petersburg, he grew up in a musical family in Chesterfield County. After graduating with honors from Matoaca High School, he received an undergraduate degree in music education from Old Dominion University in 2002 and a Master of Music degree in conducting from Indiana State University in 2004. A bass-baritone, Geter has sung with opera companies around the country, including the Metropolitan Opera.
Geter’s works include compositions for chamber and orchestra, vocal ensemble and opera. In May 2025, the world premiere of his new major opera, “Loving v. Virginia,” concludes the Virginia Opera’s 50th anniversary season. Based on the true story of Mildred and Richard Loving and their landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down state laws banning interracial marriage, the opera is co-commissioned by the Virginia Opera and the Richmond Symphony, and co-produced by the Virginia Opera and the Minnesota Opera. Another new opera of Geter’s, “Delta King’s Blues,” commissioned by IN Series, will also premiere in 2025. His song, “Amanirenas,” commissioned by soprano Karen Slack for her African Queens art song program, is touring nationally. Future commissions include world premieres with the Richmond Symphony and Nathaniel Dett Chorale, as well as a new operatic production at Portland Opera in 2026.
In addition to owning DG Music, Sans Fear Publishing, Geter serves as interim music director and artistic advisor at the Portland Opera and is the Richmond Symphony’s composer-in-residence through 2026.
2025 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree, Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy.
Geter’s works include compositions for chamber and orchestra, vocal ensemble and opera. In May 2025, the world premiere of his new major opera, “Loving v. Virginia,” concludes the Virginia Opera’s 50th anniversary season. Based on the true story of Mildred and Richard Loving and their landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down state laws banning interracial marriage, the opera is co-commissioned by the Virginia Opera and the Richmond Symphony, and co-produced by the Virginia Opera and the Minnesota Opera. Another new opera of Geter’s, “Delta King’s Blues,” commissioned by IN Series, will also premiere in 2025. His song, “Amanirenas,” commissioned by soprano Karen Slack for her African Queens art song program, is touring nationally. Future commissions include world premieres with the Richmond Symphony and Nathaniel Dett Chorale, as well as a new operatic production at Portland Opera in 2026.
In addition to owning DG Music, Sans Fear Publishing, Geter serves as interim music director and artistic advisor at the Portland Opera and is the Richmond Symphony’s composer-in-residence through 2026.
2025 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honoree, Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy.
Watch Damien Geter's recorded remarks shown at the Dominion Energy reception honoring the 2025 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honorees on February 6, 2025.
File Citation(s)
Photograph courtesy of Damien Geter, photography by Rachel Hadaishar.