Andrew Carter (1939–2026), Composer of Beloved Christmas Music, Dies Aged 86

Dear Musicall America,

Please find below a press release announcing the death last week of the English composer and conductor Andrew Carter (1939–2026), best known for his much-loved Christmas music, particularly A Maiden Most Gentle and its long association with the BBC’s Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge.

We are writing as his children, Elinor and Martin Carter, on behalf of the Andrew Carter family and estate.

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PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Media Contact:
Elinor Carter and Martin Carter
On behalf of the Andrew Carter family and estate
Email: estate@andrewcarter.org
Web: andrewcarter.org/press

Andrew Carter (1939–2026), Composer of Beloved Christmas Music, Dies Aged 86

The English composer and conductor Andrew Carter has died peacefully at his home in York on 5 January 2026, aged 86. He was best known for his much-loved Christmas music, particularly A Maiden Most Gentle, which became an enduring favourite through its association with the BBC’s annual broadcast of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge.

Born in Leicester in 1939, the son of a sock factory engineer, Carter studied music at Leeds before joining York Minster Choir in 1962 as a bass songman under Francis Jackson. Alongside this, he served for a decade as Director of Music at the Bar Convent Grammar School, where his gifts as a teacher and choir trainer became widely recognised.

In 1965 he founded the Chapter House Choir at York Minster, directing the ensemble for seventeen years and leading it to national prominence, including awards in the BBC’s Let the Peoples Sing. A Winston Churchill Fellow in 1981, he studied choral traditions in Scandinavia, and in 1986 became a founder committee member of the Association of British Choral Directors (ABCD), addressing its first convention in Oxford.

Carter’s catalogue of over 250 works ranges from intimate choral miniatures to large-scale works for choir, soloists and orchestra, including Benedicite, Horizons and Missa Sancti Pauli. Yet it is his Christmas music that secured him a unique place in the choral tradition. Works such as A Maiden Most Gentle, Mary’s Magnificat and I Wonder As I Wander became staples of seasonal repertoire, featuring at King’s College, Cambridge. His recording Andrew Carter’s Christmas Carols, with organist John Scott, was named among BBC Music Magazine’s “ten best ever” Christmas CDs in 2007.

Andrew's beloved wife Sylvia died in 2023. He is survived by his daughter Elinor, his son Martin, daughter-in-law Krissie, and five grandchildren.

Selected Tributes

John Rutter: “I have the fondest memories of Andrew, both as man and musician. We will all miss him, but the legacy of his music lives on, and I know it will continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.”

Brian Kay: “Always a smile, always a good laugh and behind it all, a first-rate musician; and in spite of his natural modesty, a top-quality composer and arranger who will live on in his wonderful music.”

Bob Chilcott: “Andrew was a composer with a very special communicative gift. He had a real understanding of the voice, and this was always reflected in his writing, with strong texts and melodies underlying all of his composition for choirs.”

Howard Goodall: “RIP choral composer & all-round excellent chap Andrew Carter. Thank you for your warmth & delightfully melodic music.”

Classic FM: “Andrew Carter was a huge presence in the UK classical music world… We loved sharing his music with our audience, in particular his Christmas compositions which we know were loved by many.”

For a fuller collection of tributes, please see the ‘Memories and Tributes’ page on Andrew Carter’s website: https://andrewcarter.org/memories

Funeral Arrangements

Following a private family cremation, a service to celebrate Andrew Carter’s life will take place on:

• Date: Friday 30^th January 2026
• Time: 4pm (doors open from 3.15pm)
• Location: St Saviourgate Venue, York, YO1 8NQ

For those unable to attend in person, online participation will be available by request.

Further details are available at: http://andrewcarter.org/funeral

Notes to Editors

• Full biography / obituary: https://andrewcarter.org/biography
• Plain text biography and other resources: https://andrewcarter.org/press
• Photo gallery / approved images: https://andrewcarter.org/gallery
• Music catalogue / works list: https://andrewcarter.org/works
• Memories and Tributes: https://andrewcarter.org/memories
• Donations in Andrew Carter’s memory: https://andrewcarter.org/donations
• Funeral arrangements: https://andrewcarter.org/funeral
• Media and general enquiries: estate@andrewcarter.org

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For further information, images, his full biography in plain text form, latest tributes, catalogue of works, and funeral updates, please see:

https://andrewcarter.org/press

If you require any additional information, interviews, or high-resolution images, you are very welcome to contact us directly.

With thanks for your consideration,

Elinor Carter and Martin Carter
On behalf of the Andrew Carter family and estate
estate@andrewcarter.org