Octavemode

Composer. You can ask for most styles and a custom composition created just for you, your special occasion, for kicks will come your way depending upon the complexity of the work
Background: 

In the last 1 1/2 years Stuart's creative output exploded with music from many different genre. 55 compositions and arrangement total, plus four hours of an Opera. (first draft and gee, I haven't done much for the second act so far.) 

In the past: 
Ohio Wesleyan University 1975 Eastman School of Music Master's 1982 Co-Chairman Performing Arts MacDuffie School Blue Mountain School Community College of Vermont Saint Michael's College Artist-in-Residence/Private Instrumental Lessons (1978-Present) Octavemode 1996-Present ​ Mr. Carter studied trombone with Stephen Podgorsky, Ed Kolyer, Charles Thompson (OWU,) Ron Barron (BSO,) Phil Wilson (Berkley School of Music,) John Marcellus (ESM,) George Osborn (ESM,) Emory Remington (Community Division)

The study of trombone and trumpet included attendance at International Trombone Association, New York Conference for Brass Scholarships, and International Brass Congress 1976 workshops, where he learned from Urbie Green, Carl Fontana, Bill Watrous, Garnett Brown, Timofei Dokshizer, Maurice Andre, Louis Van Haney, Larry Weed, Rich Matteson, Knud Hovaldt, Jiggs Whigham, Harvey Phillips, Denis Wick, Philip Farkas, Henry Romersa, Sloide Hamptom, Ashley Alexander, Tom Everett, Jay Friedman, Christian Lindberg, Buddy Baker, Charlie Vernon, M. Dee Stewart, James Pugh, Bill Pearce, Per Brevig, The Canadian Brass, and probably others. 

​The disciplines of Stuart's formative years include individual piano, trumpet, trombone, voice, cello and conducting study; wind ensemble, orchestral, opera, Broadway, jazz band, dance band and German band playing; choral, Broadway and Barbershop singing; acting. 

Stuart was a performer with the OWU Brass Quintet (1971-75), the Clarion Brass (1976-78), and manager and trombonist for The Well-Tempered Brass, comprised of graduate students of the Eastman School of Music from 1980-1983. He performed with the Eastman Trombone Choir, as principal trombonist with various school orchestras, principal trombonist with the Holyoke Symphony Orchestra, with the Farmington Symphony Orchesstra and substitue trombonist with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Stuart has served as an assistant conductor for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra's (MA) performance of La Boehme.  Composer, conductor, he also studied  Double Bass, Cello, Clarinet, Harp at OWU and ESM.  

​Mr. Carter's first music was written at the age of about 4. Unfortunately, time has obscured this burst of creativity. He continued to compose and by middle school had written 114 compositions. He even wrote music for his dog to perform. Though, his dog's paws scratched the piano bench, newly refinished by his father, during a rehearsal - so Stuart quickly abandoned that particular line of canine creativity. But, to this day, he continues to compose - for people and to care for dogs, for over 63 years and 11 dogs. Among many other works, he has composed the following: "Tell It Like It Is: a mass in the modern idiom" (1970); "Creation; Joys and Sorrows" (Gibran;) "On This Day Earth Shall Ring;" Incidental music for "Macbeth"; "i thank You God for most this amazing day" (performed by Social Band, Burlington, Vermont); Incidental music for The Madwoman of Chailliot; Incidental Music for Merchant of Venice;" What a Brass Quintet Can Do" - for children; "The Road Not Taken" (Frost) and "Dream of My Dreams," 1970.  Symphony #1 in D, Triple Concerto for Brass Trio and Orchestra. String Quartet #1, blues, (Recovery) jazz standard, (Laddy's Leap) We Are a Social Band: A Celebration for Chorus and Orchestra, Piano sonata and many others. He has composed music for weddings and upon the death of a friend. 

​Mr. Carter is a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). He is a recipient of the John Philip Sousa Band Award and the Danforth, I Dare You Award. 

In addition to composing, he teaches Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, and Voice privately. His interest in the Psychology of Music gives him a unique perspective for helping others learn how to learn about music and how to make music making work for you. 

 He lives in Burlington, Vermont with his two Golden Retrievers, Bartok and Oscar. They love to swim, hike, bike and camp.