LUKE CARLSON
Composer & Conductor

Luke Carlson

About

The music of composer and conductor Luke Carlson (b. 1983) has been described as “yielding fascinating timbres” (Washington Classical Review), “magical”, and “otherworldly” (Philadelphia Inquirer) and “personal and strong” (New York Times). Carlson draws equal inspiration from classical traditions and modern aesthetics, crafting vibrant and profound music that engages with the continuing story of tonality.

He is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Aspen Music Festival’s Jacob Druckman Prize, a Copland House Fellowship, a MacDowell Fellowship, the grand prize in Symphony Number One’s Composer Competition, the Edward T. Cone Composition Institute, two first prizes in the MACRO Composers Competition, and two nominations for composition awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

full biography

Latest News

andPlay Premiere
Feb 11
2025

Timepieces, a new work for the violin and viola duo, andPlay, is going to be premiered by Maya Bennardo (vln.) and Hannah Levinson (vla.) on Tuesday, February 11, 7:30 PM at College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, MO.

Gamer Performance
Nov 27
2024

Gamer for solo multi-percussion and electronics is going to be performed by Diego Alfonso on Wednesday, November 27, at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.

Concision Performance
July 22
2024

Concision for clarinet, saxophone, and piano was performed by the Fuse Trio on Monday, July 22, 7:00 PM at the Cornerstone Church of Spring Green. The concert is part of the Rural Musicians Forum in Spring Green Wisconsin.

Render Video
April
2024

A video recording of Render is now available on YouTube. So thankful for Thiago Ancelmo’s hard work and incredible artistry.

Notation Course
2023

I recently completed a twelve-video course on how to use Dorico, music notation software. The course can be found here.

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music

recent & upcoming events

Feb 11
2025

Timepieces

violin & viola
Maya Bennardo, violin
Hannah Levinson, viola
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

Nov 27
2024

Gamer

solo multi-percussion & electronics
Diego Alfonso, percussion
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Mexico City, Mexico

July 22
2024

Concision

clarinet, saxophone, piano
Christian Ellenwood, clarinet
Matthew Sintchak, saxophone
Clara Christian, piano
Cornerstone Church of Spring Green
Spring Green, WI

June 23
2024

Render

clarinet & electronics
Thiago Ancelmo, clarinet
Fayetteville Public Library
Fayetteville, AR

more events