Andrew as a baby
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Andrew was born in December 1939, so this photo will have been taken in early-mid 1940
With his siblings
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Left to right: Margaret Carter (sister), Andrew Carter, Richard Carter (brother)
Wigston School Days
Image Credit: Andrew's Family and Estate
Wigston School Days
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Treading the Boards
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
As Leporello in the school production of “Don Giovanni”, aged 16
A school portrait
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
At Kibworth Beauchamp Grammar School, Leicestershire
At Leeds University
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
As a student, aged approximately 19
By the sea
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
While a music student at Leeds
Graduation
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Graduating in music (with phonetics) at Leeds, 1962
A Minster Songman
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Andrew as a new Bass in York Minster Choir, with proud mother Ada Carter. Taken approx. 1962.
Carolling with friends
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Four-part Christmas carols was a happy tradition for Andrew even before he started setting his own
In his Minster flat
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Above a nylon shop in High Petergate, approx. 1965
In the Minster Choir
Image Credit: York Minster Library
The York Minster Choir in 1966
In the Minster Choir (Close-up)
Image Credit: York Minster Library
Andrew as a Bass Songman in the Minster Choir in 1966, next to Francis Jackson the Director of Music
An early Carols by Candlelight
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
With the Chapter House Choir, in the Chapter House of York Minster
With Sylvia
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Approx. 1982
Graham (Bass) 70s and 80s
Image Credit: Graham (Bass) 70s and 80s
Andrew sitting on Graham’s shoulders to gain an elevated position to conduct the choir in a spontaneous performance in a square somewhere in Leiden in the Netherlands during a CHC choir tour in the late 1970s.
On the far left you can also see Roger who famously lit the candles in the Chapter House for Carols by Candlelight for many years.
Full-Time Composition
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
An early 1980s photograph of Andrew in his Bishopthorpe music room, showing a new handwritten composition. The first known publicity shot of him as a full-time composer.
With the Chapter House Choir
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Towards the end of his tenure as Director, 1981-1982, by the organ screen at York Minster
With elder brother Richard
Image Credit: Sylvia Carter
Early 1980’s in Wigston Magna, showing Andrew and his elder brother Richard.
Bielersee, Switzerland
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Visiting Dutch friends in a lakeside chalet
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Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
On his travels
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
He always put yellow dot stickers on all of his suitcases!
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Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Caption suggestions welcome!
With Francis Jackson
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
In the Choir at York Minster
Outside York Minster
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
With wife Sylvia
Before a concert
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Approx. 1990
A Collection of Christmas Carol Composers
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Left to Right: John Rutter, David Willcocks, Andrew Carter
About to conduct madrigals
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Approx. 1992
In London (1)
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
In London (2)
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Raphael Biran
Image Credit: Raphael Biran
With Andrew and Sylvia on the day of my graduation from The University of York in July 1997. They took such good care of me, going so far as to help remove some toothpaste I spilled on my tie shortly before the ceremony!
Updated publicity photo
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Photograph by Malcolm Rouse
At Kibworth Beauchamp Grammar School
Image Credit: Terry Dwyer
I’m Terry Dwyer, Andrew’s grammar school music teacher. This first photo shows a vocal sextet I put together there in the early 1950’s. These six young people formed such a bond that they became life-long friends, not only with each other but with me. In later life they often came together from all over the country to visit me, perhaps to hear one of my new compositions.
50 Years On
Image Credit: Terry Dwyer
Fifty years later it was not only my music but Andrew’s that figured in a combined concert.
Friends for life
Image Credit: Terry Dwyer
The next photo shows the mature sextet, minus one deceased.
A disagreement!
Image Credit: Terry Dwyer
The final photo shows Andrew and me arguing, as we sometimes did. I added the caption for fun, though I’m sure we must have been talking about something else.
In the Choir at York Minster
Image Credit: Malcolm Riley
February 2004, in the Minster Choir after a recital given by Malcolm Riley
Bournemouth Pavilion
Image Credit: Malcolm Riley
Bournemouth Pavilion, at the Compton organ console, during the IAO South Coast Congress.
Outside Bournemouth Pavilion
Image Credit: Malcolm Riley
With David Beeby at the IAO South Coast Congress
Chapter House Choir 40th Anniversary – 2006
Image Credit: June Rogers
At the launch of Fanfare for Francis
Image Credit: Gerco Shaap
At the launch of Fanfare for Francis, photo by Gerco Schaap (kindly shared by Malcolm Riley). All the composers are included plus Paul Hale (editor) and June Barry, sister of John Barry.
At Sylvia’s 70th
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
With beloved wife Sylvia at Sylvia’s family celebration for her 70th birthday
With Gordon Stewart
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
With concert organist and good friend Gordon Stewart, preparing for the recording of Gordon Stewart plays Andrew Carter Organ Works (2013)
At Banks Music Publications
Image Credit: Rosemary Goodwin
Editorial meeting at Banks Music Publications when we were still in Hovingham: Andrew, Sylvia, Max Elliott and David Goodwin.
With Badgers and Hedgehogs
Image Credit: Steve and Darlah Thomas
We were with Andrew at Lang Road one day in 2014 and told him that our daughter, who was conductor of the Chester Music Society Children’s Choir, was then rehearsing his ‘Badgers and Hedgehogs’ song. In no time he had rushed upstairs and returned with the manuscript copy of the song and was delighted to be photographed displaying it! She subsequently showed it to her choir members who were thrilled.
At Helmsley Hall
Image Credit: Steve and Darlah Thomas
Andrew was a keen fan of the clocks made by Thomas Cooke & Sons, clock and telescope makers in York during the nineteenth century. He accompanied us to Helmsley Hall, near York so we could photograph the fine A-frame turret clock there for the book we were then writing on Cooke turret clocks. This clock was made by the company in 1874. Andrew always was eager to take his own photographs.
At Heslington Hall
Image Credit: Steve and Darlah Thomas
Andrew regularly wound the Cooke clock in Heslington Hall (and many others too). Here access wasn’t as easy as in some locations, but Andrew wasn’t phased by ladders, planks or ancient, worn spiral staircases!
At Tockwith Parish Church
Image Credit: Steve and Darlah Thomas
The tower at Tockwith Parish Church was even trickier to climb!
At Strensall Church
Image Credit: Steve and Darlah Thomas
When we went to Strensall Church, there was no difficulty in accessing the clock as it was at ground level. Here, Andrew is enjoying photographing the Thomas Cooke clock being wound by the regular clock-winder who kindly gave us access.
At Stockton Hall
Image Credit: Steve and Darlah Thomas
When we visited Stockton Hall near York, we were accompanied by Andrew and his friend and clock expert, Edward Bacon. Here the climb was up an aluminium ladder to access a hatch. The clock was inside the timber structure above the beams.
At Tower House
Image Credit: Steve and Darlah Thomas
Andrew accompanied us to another clock he wound regularly at Tower House, York.
75th Birthday Concert
Image Credit: June Rogers
Chanticleer Singers 75th Birthday Concert for Andrew – St. Chad’s Church, York – October 2014
75th Birthday Cake
Image Credit: June Rogers
75th Birthday Cake from Banks Music Publications at Chanticleer Singers concert – October 2014
At Banks Music Publications
Image Credit: Rosemary Goodwin
The launch of Echoes (an organ collection in memory of Alan Spedding) – Andrew, Hilary Whiteley, Alison Moore, Philip Moore, John Scott Whiteley, Sylvia, Ann Spedding, Francis Jackson and me (Rosemary Goodwin)
On holiday
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Doing one of the things he loved best – touring old buildings
With the Antiquarian Horological Society
Image Credit: Steve and Darlah Thomas
in 2017, Andrew and Edward Bacon joined members of the Antiquarian Horological Society’s Northern Section for a visit to two collections of Chester clocks. Shortly before this, Andrew had very expertly proof-read our book on Thomas Cooke for which we were extremely grateful. He was not only thorough, but had a sound understanding of clock mechanisms and his knowledge of Yorkshire history and geography was invaluable.
A typical pose
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
In one of Andrew’s many baseball caps!
Andrew at 80
Image Credit: June Rogers
80th birthday card from Chanticleer Singers to Andrew
At the piano
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
Andrew at the 9ft Bluthner concert grand on which he wrote most of his compositions – which can all be seen filed behind him.
Izi Gurney
Image Credit: Izi Gurney
Andrew touring Myles (Great Nephew) around his Grand Piano and explaining how it works!
At home with the dog
Image Credit: Andrew's family and estate
With rescue greyhound Katie, a stalwart companion
Enjoying a performance
Image Credit: John Cossins
Max Elliott performing Andrew’s recent composition “Song Without Words “Location is St Olave’s Church York. November ’23.My involvement was simply to make a sound recording.Lovely memory and performance.
With the Chanticleer Singers
Image Credit: June Rogers
Chanticleer Singers with Andrew (President), John Manchester (Vice President), Jane Sturmheit (former Director), Geoffrey Coffin (Organist) and William Dore (Director) – St. Mary’s Priory, Old Malton – December 2023
Greg Davy
Image Credit: Greg Davy
This photo was taken in Feb. 2025 at a Harrogate restaurant following the performance of his “California Canticles” at Ripon Cathedral. The piece, written for the retirement of a friend in Southern California, has never been published. The choir of Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, directed by Rebecca Davy who also first met Andrew while with the church in Southern California, performed the piece while on choir tour with Andrew present along with Gordon Stewart — the first time Andrew had ever heard the piece performed in a cathedral setting. He was thrilled with the performance, as his mood reflected in this photo.
Greg Davy
Image Credit: Greg Davy
Andrew addresses the choir of Bruton Parish Church of Williamsburg, VA, after its performance of his “California Canticles” at Ripon Cathedral in February, 2025. It was the first time he had ever heard the piece, which was composed for a friend in Southern California but never published, performed in a cathedral setting. “It was beautifully and sensitively sung, and exceeded all my expectations,” he told the choir.
Greg Davy
Image Credit: Greg Davy
Andrew attended the first-ever performance in a cathedral setting of his unpublished “California Canticles” along with his good friend Gordon Stewart, right. The piece was performed by the choir of Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, Williamsburg, VA, in Feb. 2025. With Andrew are Bruton organist Dr. JanEl Will (second from left) and Bruton’s Director of Music Rebecca Davy.
With a custard slice
Image Credit: Alistair Timmis
Andrew in June 2025, enjoying what seemed to be the world’s largest custard slice. The Bothy, Stockton on the Forest. He could not stop laughing at it!
With visitors
Image Credit: Raphael Biran
On 6th July 2025, Andrew treated Wendy and me to a delicious traditional Sunday lunch at The Woodman Inn in Bishopthorpe. We shared stories and laughs while enjoying gorgeous roasts with all the trimmings. When taking this photo of Andrew, with his warm smile, I made sure that my tasty Yorkshire Pudding With Caramelised Onion Gravy was featured prominently!
At Sylvia’s graveside
Image Credit: Raphael Biran
On 10th July 2025, Andrew took Wendy and me to visit Sylvia at the peaceful Quaker Burial Ground in York. We snapped this photo to remember the visit.
At Liverpool Cathedral
Image Credit: Alistair Timmis
At Liverpool Cathedral, July 2025, alongside members of the York & District Organists Association. I had just played ‘Song without words’ on the UK’s largest musical instrument, Andrew went to sit in the chancel alone to listen to his wonderful piece, and reportedly walked back across to the console (junction to the north transept) with a large smile!
Smiling to the end
Image Credit: Jane Sturmheit
Just a couple of weeks before he died, at the piano at home. A copy of the piano piece he wrote for his late wife Sylvia, Lux Perpetua, is on the stand.
