Roland Carter

About Roland Carter

Roland M. Carter, known by many as the "Dean of African-American Music," is often recognized for his efforts to preserve African-American music and traditions. Carter devoted his life to preserving Negro folk music and its identity in American culture through his teaching, conducting, composing and arranging of choral music. He taught at several respected institutions, including Hampton Institute, later named Hampton University (1965-1989), and The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1989-2013). In his 50-year career as a choral music educator, Carter has influenced many students who have become choral conductors in a variety of venues, continuing his legacy in the preservation of choral music composed by African-Americans.