LUKE CARLSON Composer & Conductor
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.
Latest News
Render, for clarinet and interactive electronics, was selected as a winner of the CreArtBox Open Call. The piece will be presented in an upcoming CreArtBox concert during the 2026-2027 season in New York, NY.
Two movements from Patterns: Book II—Shapes were premiered by Matthew Bengtson (pno.) on March 27, 2026 at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. More info here as well as a livestream of the performance.
Sonata, for solo piano, was premiered by Clara Christian on March 12, 2026 at College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, MO.
Concision, for clarinet, saxophone, and piano will be performed by the Fuse Trio on April 28, 2026 at College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, MO.
Measure, for piano quintet, was premiered by Matthew Bengtson (pno.) and the Daedalus String Quartet on Friday, January 9, 2026, in Reading, PA. A second performance will be given on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Matthew Bengtson will also perform selected movements from Patterns: Book II—Shapes. More info here.
Histories, for violin and piano, is going to be performed by the Blue Violet Duo (Kate Carter, violin, and Louise Chan, piano) at the Second Sunday Concert Series at United Lutheran Church in Oak Park, Illinois (9/14/25), the Convocation at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featuring music by living composers as part of an education initiative by Fulcrum Point New Music (9/26/25), at Fridays @ Noon at the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois (10/10/25), and at the College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Missouri (4/21/26).
My twelve-video course on how to use Dorico, music notation software, is now available. The course can be found here.
music
Carlson’s music ranges in variety from orchestral and chamber works, to
vocal, choral, and electronic compositions. He is also an active arranger of sacred and secular
music.
complete catalogue
recent & upcoming events
Patterns: Book II—Shapes (excerpts)
piano
Matthew Bengtson, piano
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Sonata
piano
Clara Christian, piano
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
Measure
piano quintet
Matthew Bengtson, piano
Min-Young Kim, violin
Matilda Kaul, violin
Jessica Thompson, viola
Thomas Kraines, cello
Friends of Chamber Music
Reading, PA
Measure
piano quintet
Matthew Bengtson, piano
Min-Young Kim, violin
Matilda Kaul, violin
Jessica Thompson, viola
Thomas Kraines, cello
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Patterns: Book II—Shapes (excerpts)
piano
Matthew Bengtson, piano
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Histories
violin & piano
Kate Carter, violin
Louise Chan, piano
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
Concision
clarinet, saxophone, &
piano
Fuse Trio
David Gould, clarinet
Matthew Sintchak, saxophone
Clara Christian, piano
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
Measure
piano quintet
Matthew Bengtson, piano
Min-Young Kim, violin
Matilda Kaul, violin
Jessica Thompson, viola
Thomas Kraines, cello
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
Book of Things
piano & interactive
electronics
Christopher Goddard, piano
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
Birds, a song cycle
voice & piano
Kaitlyn York, soprano
Clara Christian, piano
College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO