Roland Carter
"Lift Every Voice"
Humble Beginnings
Roland Carter was born in 1942. A native of Chattanooga, Carter was born and raised just blocks away from Warner Park. His parents, Horace and Willie Mae Carter would frequently attend church with their three children. Horace worked several jobs as a Jitney Cab driver, a foundry worker, and a furniture mover. His mother also worked as a domestic.
At the age of 4, Carter showed impressive musical ability, picking out hymns from church services on the family piano. By the age of 6 he was taking piano lessons, by 8 he was playing for Sunday Bible School, and by 12 performed his first programmed recital. Dr. Carter attended Howard High School and was mentored and encouraged by the head of the choral department, Ms. Edmonia Simmons.
Forged in Fire
While he was in high school, Roland Carter participated in the sit-in protests, orchestrated by Howard Classmates, against segregation in the early 60s. The protests were well planned, the students were polite, well-dressed, and remained calm under intense backlash from Chattanooga’s Police and Fire Dept.
Following his graduation from Howard, Roland Carter attended Hampton University following in Ms. Simmons footsteps. After 3 years of study there, he was awarded a grant from the Maclellan Foundation to allow him to continue his education at New York University. In 1964 he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education from NYU. After this, he became a full-time teacher at Hampton University, Completing Doctoral studies at NYU at the same time.
Passing Every Limit
Dr. Carter has had a career in music, worship, and community service that far exceeds his mentors. Teaching at Hampton Institute, and the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga for over 20 years, founding Mar-Vel, a music publisher specializing in the music of African American Composers. His accomplishments as a leading figure in the choral arts include concerts with major choruses and orchestras in prestigious venues nationwide; as well as lectures, workshops, and masterclasses.
The Winston-Salem State University Choir performing "Steal Away," arranged and conducted by Roland Carter
From presidential inaugurations to the smallest church, from scholarly presentations for national gatherings of musicians, educators, and preservationists to private coaching with individual singers, Mr. Carter lends his keen ear, bright mind, and talented hands to projects of every sort.