Don Scott Carpenter is a distinguished conductor, composer, and organist whose career bridges the worlds of choral, orchestral, and sacred music. Based in San Francisco, he has emerged as a versatile and respected figure in American music, known for his dynamic podium presence, imaginative programming, and commitment to both tradition and innovation. He is the Founding Music Director of the Zephyr Symphony, Founding Music Director of Vox Humana SF, and a nationally respected leader in the field of sacred and concert music.

Carpenter’s conducting is recognized for both technical command and emotional immediacy. His repertoire spans the Renaissance to the present, with a particular emphasis on orchestral and large-scale choral-orchestral masterworks. His programming often juxtaposes historic repertoire with contemporary voices, illuminating timeless themes in new ways. Recent projects include the conducting and recording of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Schubert’s monumental Mass in E-flat. These landmark works demonstrate his ability to bring out both the dramatic intensity and lyrical depth of the repertoire, while fostering a profound sense of connection between performers and listeners.

An accomplished organist, Carpenter has held prominent sacred music positions throughout his career. From 2013 to 2025, he served as Organist and Director of Music, Worship, and Arts at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. There, he revitalized the music ministry through the reintroduction of chant, historic liturgy, professional vocal ensembles, and beloved traditions such as Lessons and Carols, Evensong, and major choral-orchestral offerings. His approach reflects his conviction that sacred music has a unique capacity to unify communities and illuminate the spiritual life of the church. Earlier, he was Cathedral Organist and Artist-in-Residence at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, where he played for Pontifical Masses, feast days, and high liturgical seasons. In 2015, he was honored with a return invitation to serve as organist for the installation of the Archbishop of Santa Fe.

Carpenter’s leadership extends well beyond the church. As General Director of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, he guided the ensemble through a major organizational transition, leading collaborations with the Santa Fe Symphony and Opera and producing acclaimed recordings including Glorious Voices, Sacred Spaces, and Shalom. In Louisville, Kentucky, he was Artistic and Executive Director of the Louisville Youth Choir from 2002 to 2007, introducing signature initiatives such as the annual Holiday Carols concert, a Boys Choir program, and a spring Pops series. The choir toured internationally, performing in Salzburg Cathedral and Vienna’s Votivkirche, as well as Carnegie Hall in New York City, and collaborated with Kentucky Opera on three world premiere operas.

Beyond concert halls, he has contributed significantly to interfaith and community music-making. At Second Presbyterian Church in Louisville, he founded a concert series, rebuilt the Casavant organ, and led efforts to acquire a Steinway Model D piano. At The Temple – Adath Israel Brith Sholom, he directed choirs for weekly services, High Holy Days, and life-cycle events, integrating diverse traditions into the congregation’s musical life.

Known for uniting tradition with innovation, Carpenter remains deeply committed to music’s transformative power. His collaborations have taken him across Europe, expanding his influence as both interpreter and cultural ambassador. Whether conducting a symphony, leading a chorus, or performing at the organ, he brings a rare combination of artistry, scholarship, and pastoral sensibility to his work.

Don Scott Carpenter continues to champion music as a force for artistic excellence and human connection. His career, defined by bold vision and unwavering integrity, reflects a belief that music is not only a performance but also a shared human experience—timeless, compelling, and profoundly alive.