Our Music Directors

Stephen Carter
Choral & Jazz Director

Stephen grew up in Richmond Hill, Ontario. He began developing his interest in music during high school, where he learned to play clarinet, saxophone, flute, and bassoon. During high school, there were many opportunities to engage in leadership within the music program, where he was one of the leaders of the jazz band, and occasionally conducted the concert band.

At York University in Toronto, he majored in clarinet performance. During his time at York, he was first-chair clarinet in the wind ensemble, and played clarinet in the orchestra. Extra-curricular activities included playing saxophone in a swing band, clarinet in a duo with piano which provided music for Weddings and Bar Mitzphahs, as well as singing in the Toronto Orpheus Choir.

In 1986, after completing three years of study, he married Jo, who was also a music student, and entered the work-force as a courier. During this time he was heavily involved in music at church, singing in the choir, as well as co-leading a junior high aged choir.

in 1988 he and Jo moved to Alberta to attend Prairie Bible College and earn a Bachelor of Church Music degree as a voice major. At this time he also taught woodwinds, led a jazz ensemble, several different vocal ensembles, and was in the wind ensemble and touring choir.

From 1997 to 2013, Stephen was the music director at a small college in Saskatchewan, where his responsibilities included directing two choirs, teaching several courses, and overseeing all the music activities on campus.

Stephen has resided in the Battlefords since 2013, and has been an active part of the musical community.