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Kevin McCarter is a composer of music for orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles, solo instruments, and voice. His music has been performed in a variety of venues in the U. S., Canada, and Europe. Opening Ideas, for string orchestra, was premiered by the Chicago Chamber Orchestra and has been recorded by the Kiev Philharmonic. Other orchestral works include Far Candle Throw and Chamber Symphony. The Manhattan Choral Ensemble commissioned an a cappella work, As the Earth Brings Forth Her Bud, for their March concert in 2008. Two other choral pieces, Winter Trees and Magnify the Lord With Me, were sung at the Gregg Smith Singers' 2007 new music workshop. Early Voices, for clarinet, cello, and piano, was inspired by the soundscape of an early morning walk. The New York Composers Circle presented its premiere on their June 2008 concert. Blossoms and a Breeze has been McCarter's most performed chamber piece. Written for the Ocean Wind Trio, it became a regular part of their repertoire. It has also been played by other woodwind trios in the U. S. and Canada. Three Songs on Poems of Emily Dickinson received an Encore grant in 2006. The songs have been performed in New York, Paris, Vienna, Rome, and cities in the American midwest. McCarter's organ music has been played at church services around the country. A setting of Psalm 23 for solo voice and organ is published by Darcey Press, and Watchfire Music offers several works through their website. McCarter earned his bachelor's degree at Principia College, where his studies included composition, piano, and organ. He also earned a Master of Music in accompanying from the University of Southern California and a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition from the University of Maryland. He has taught at Lehigh University, Salisbury University, Towson University, and Principia College.