Charles Carter

Biography

Charles (Charlie) E. Carter (10 July 1926, Ponca, Okla. – 11 December 1999, Tallahassee, Fla.) was an American composer and arranger.

Mr. Carter received his 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, Carter 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.

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 Midwest. In 1984 he was presented with the Distinguished Service to Music award by Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity.

After his retirement from FSU, Mr. Carter continued to compose and arrange for concert band.

Works for Winds

Resources

Miles, Richard B., and Larry Blocher. (2010). Teaching Music through Performance in Band. Volume 1. Chicago: GIA Publications. pp. 350.