Kevin McCarter is a composer of music for chamber ensembles, orchestra, chorus, solo instruments, and voice. His string orchestra piece Opening Ideas is the first selection on the CD, Masterworks of the New Era, Volume 8 (ERM Media). Prelude and Excursion, for orchestral brass, has been recorded for Volume 11 of the same series. Three Songs on Poems of Emily Dickinson received a grant from the American Composers Forum to support performances in several American and European cities during the 2006-07 season. Blossoms and a Breeze, premiered in 2002 by the Ocean Wind Trio, has received several additional performances in the U.S. and Canada. Five Miniatures for clarinet and piano and Seven Quiet Pieces for organ have also received multiple performances. McCarter earned his bachelor's degree at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, 40 miles north of St. Louis, where his studies included composition, piano, and organ. He earned graduate degrees in accompanying at the University of Southern California and in composition at Ball State University and the University of Maryland. He is a member of the American Music Center, the American Composers Forum, New York Composers Circle, and Chamber Music America.