Charles Carter composer / arranger

Charles Carter has been composing and arranging band music for more than 45 years. His contributions to the concert band literature are numerous and well known; and his name is synonymous with creative quality music. He received the Bachelor of Music degree from Ohio State University and the Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Bernard Rogers and Wayne Barlow. When he was a senior at Ohio State he wrote his first symphonic band composition, which was performed in concert the next year.
After graduating from Eastman, he returned to Columbus, Ohio, and worked for the U.S. government. During this time he wrote dance band arrangements and played in dance bands and show bands. In the fall of 1951 he began arranging for the Ohio State marching band and was part time instructor of low brass. At that time Manley Whitcomb, the OSU Director of Bands, asked him to write another piece so that he could premiere it during the American Bandmasters Association meeting. In 1952 he wrote his first two compositions designed for the educational market. The titles were Metropolis and Overture In Classical Style, both eventually published by Bourne, Inc.
In 1953 Manley Whitcomb asked Mr. Carter if he wanted to go with him to Florida State University as his assistant. For the next 43 years Carter arranged for the various bands at FSU. During this time he continued to compose band pieces for the educational field and was also invited to guest conduct throughout the South and Mid-West. In 1984 he was presented with the Distinguished Service to Music award by Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity.
Mr. Carter is now retired from Florida State University but continues to compose and arrange for concert band.