Daniel Carter was born in the sagebrush of Idaho, and as a young boy learned to love the unlikely combination of country-western music and Caruso’s opera recordings. At age five, an accident cut off a third of his right index finger. Undeterred, he happily composed melodies on any keyboard since his family didn’t own a piano until he was about 10 years old. His teen years were filled with whatever was playing on the radio and a few false starts at piano lessons. By the time he was a junior in high school, he had composed pieces in the style of major composers and decided it was time to get serious about learning piano skills and reading music. Money for lessons was scarce, but his family sacrificed so that he could study. Though he struggled greatly to catch up to university-level piano skills, which nearly prevented him from being accepted into the music program, his composition abilities helped him find favor with a few faculty members who mentored him.
Daniel advocates and supports mental health awareness and education, particularly for the homeless and marginalized. He is also a strong advocate for music education. Numerous studies prove that consistent music lessons improve academic excellence. Those who study music statistically rank better than their peers who do not. Daniel insisted that his two children study music for a minimum of two years, which met some resistance. In moments of frustration, he said, "You can thank me when you're 40." (And they have. Ahead of schedule.) Now, happily, there are grandchildren to teach.
Daniel lives and works in Utah.
Accomplishments:
• Daniel helped to develop the international sheet music publishing system for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the Church's sheet music publisher, he edited and published over 100,000 pages of music in over 145 languages from 1989–2016.
• He served as a member of the General Music Committee of the LDS Church for nearly two decades, helping to formulate global church music policy, assess suitability and adjudicate music submissions and contests, instruct music classes and workshops, give key-note addresses, and make official communications for the Church’s international music workload and publications around the world.
• He served as director of a small 501(c)3 board, served as a board member and president for HOAs as well as other charities, and helped raise funds for charitable causes and food pantries.
• Come unto Him, composed by Daniel, has been performed by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir since February of 1992, and was recorded and released on their “This Is the Christ” CD. It soared to #1 status on Billboard's Classical 100 the first week of its release in June of 2011.
• (Hundreds (approximately 350+) of his compositions are published and available in sheet music.
• His theatrical works have been performed at Sundance Outdoor Theater, public schools, community theaters, and schools of higher learning.
• Three of his compositions, a hymn (As Now We Take the Sacrament), and two children's songs (A Young Man Prepared, and The Shepherd's Carol), have sold hundreds of millions of copies in over four dozen languages since their publication by the LDS Church in the late 1980s.
• Artaban, the Other Wise Man, a multi-movement work for concert or stage is produced for the principal purpose of raising money for local charities. Artaban will continue to be performed as circumstances permit and as opportunities arise. Information regarding any future performances will be disseminated from this website, social media, and other outlets.