Andrew Carter was born in 1939 into a Leicestershire family of tower and handbell ringers. Following a music degree at the University of Leeds, he joined York Minster Choir, and was subsequently Director of Music at the Bar Convent Grammar School, where he achieved his first successes as a choir trainer. His wealth of experience of directing both mixed-voice and upper-voice choirs has given him a deep understanding of the voice, expressed by a lyricism and sense of drama underpinned by distinctive, often bitter-sweet harmonies. His vast collection of anthems and Christmas carols, together with a substantial number of large-scale choral works, have earned him a reputation as one of Britain's most respected contemporary choral composers.