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Kevin McCarter writes music for chamber ensembles, orchestra, chorus, solo instruments, and voice. His music has been performed in a variety of venues in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Opening Ideas, premiered by the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, has been his most performed orchestral piece. Its recording by the Kiev Philharmonic has been played by radio stations from Maine to San Francisco. Prelude and Excursion, for orchestral brass, was recorded by the Czech Philharmonic and has also been heard on the radio.

Blossoms and a Breeze, written for the Ocean Wind Trio, has been performed by several woodwind trios in the U.S. and Canada. Five Miniatures for Clarinet and Piano has been featured on programs by clarinetists, and Quiet Moments, for viola and piano, received its first performance on a New York Composers Circle concert. Miniature Trio for Viola, Piano, and the Space Between the Notes premiered on a concert of miniatures in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and was later presented on a program of songs, chamber music, and performed poetry in Rockaway, New Jersey.  Above the Clouds, for violin and piano, appears on "Perceptions: Points of View for Small Ensemble" from Navona Records.

The Manhattan Choral Ensemble commissioned an a cappella work, As the Earth Brings Forth Her Bud, for a spring program. Winter Trees and Magnify the Lord With Me were sung at a Gregg Smith Singers' new music workshop. Three Songs on Poems of Emily Dickinson received an Encore grant, leading to performances in Paris, Vienna, Rome, and cities in the American midwest.  Recent premieres include performances of Pastorale by the American Modern Ensemble and Come Along by the Euclid String Quartet.

McCarter studied composition, piano, and organ at Principia College.  His graduate work included degrees in accompanying and composition, culminating in a doctorate from the University of Maryland.