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

Piano Quintet Premiere
Jan 9
2026

Measure, for piano quintet, is going to be premiered by Matthew Bengtson (pno.) and the Daedalus String Quartet on Friday, January 9, in Reading, PA. A second performance will be given on Wednesday, January 14 at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

ClarinetFest 2025
July 9
2025

Render, for clarinet and interactive electronics, is going to be performed by Thiago Ancelmo (cl.) at ClarinetFest (hosted by the International Clarinet Association) on Wednesday, July 9, 2:25 PM at the Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX.

andPlay Premiere
Feb 11
2025

Timepieces, a new work for the violin and viola duo, andPlay, was 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 was performed by Diego Alfonso on Wednesday, November 27, at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.

Notation Course
2023

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

more news

music

recent & upcoming events

July 9
2025

Render

clarinet & interactive electronics
Thiago Ancelmo, clarinet
Fort Worth Convention Center
Fort Worth, TX

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