Listen/Buy Music at: Heartrise Productions | Dan Carter at Deseret Book

I was born and raised in Caldwell, Idaho. I became interested in music after going to an assembly in fourth grade where high school kids played different instruments. I was fascinated and wanted to be able to do what they were doing. We didn't have a piano, although both my grandmothers did. I would tinker on them when we would visit, but I was mostly just annoying since I really didn't know how to read music. I think it was when I was in fifth or sixth grade that we rented a house with a piano in it. This was the time I began piano lessons, but always hated them because I hated to practice. But I did like to make up my own things. The drawback, of course, was that I wouldn't ever gain the real musical skills I needed to be able to write down what I played. So I forgot a lot of things.

During my Junior and Senior years at high school I decided I wanted to major in music in college. Now the regrets would set in. I got serious about piano lessons, learned as much as I could, and went to Ricks College in 1974. They couldn't believe I wanted to major in music with only two years of piano lessons, but they gave me a chance. My composing began to really take off then, but it would be until I got home from my mission to England that my first piece would be published. I won first place in a hymn contest and it was published in the magazine that sponsored it. From then on, I've published with other publishers, and published a few things myself.

In 1980 I married my wife, Beverly, a Canadian, and she helped put me through my education at BYU. Those were meager years, but I wrote a lot. Eventually Elisabeth and Michael entered the family to make us complete. In 1989 I began working for the LDS Church typesetting and producing music used in hymnbooks, Children's Songbooks, and magazines in over 100 languages.

I was called to serve on the Church's General Music Committee in 1986, which I served as an assistant until 1994. In 1995 I was called to serve on the Committee again, and am still a member at present.

I have been able to work on some interesting and fun projects through the years. In 1980 I collaborated on a stage musical that received 45 performances at Robert Redford's Sundance Theater. In 1986 I wrote music for Senator Jake Garn's reelection campaign. Since then I have written music for various projects such as videos, recordings, and live performances. In my collection of compositions there are major works such as oratorios, and smaller cantatas. I've also written a symphony of pop music. It was a hoot to write and was an anniversary gift for my wife. I have also written lots of songs, choral pieces, hymns, and instrumental pieces. I have about 8 dozen pieces currently in print. Some of the best selling titles I've written include "Shine for Me Again, Star of Bethlehem," and "Come unto Him," performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. These two pieces are also featured on my first CD titled, "Come unto Him, Music by Dan Carter."

I am still working for the Church, and I still dabble in composing. I just released a book for singers called "Hymns for Solo Voice," and followed up with a CD by the same title. Future plans include publishing several books of music, releasing more recordings, and trying to figure what I want to be when I grow up (smile).

I hope you enjoy the pieces found here.

Thanks, Dan Carter