Composer MARK CARLSON'S lyrical, emotionally powerful and stylistically unique music has earned him the admiration of audiences and musicians throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. A versatile composer, his more than 70 works include art songs, chamber music, choral music, concertos and other large ensemble works, and songs for musical theater. The recipient of over 40 commissions, he has been commissioned by the National Shrine in Washington, D.C., the New West Symphony, Westwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, First Methodist Church of Santa Monica, the UCLA Wind Ensemble and the Santa Monica College Orchestra, among other organizations, as well as by many individual musicians and private parties.
His latest work was the science-fiction opera "The Everlasting Bonfire." Five recordings of his works are currently available, including Pacific Serenade's first CD, "The Hall of Mirrors," "Nightwings" for wind quintet and tape, and "Patchen Songs" for voice and piano. His "Twilight" from "The Hall of Mirrors" for clarinet and piano was released on CD by clarinetist Michele Gingras in 1998 and is soon to be recorded for another CD by clarinetist Gerard Errante. "From the Song of Songs" for soprano and piano will be released on Innova recordings this season. His music is published by Yelton Rhodes Music, Pacific Serenades Music and C. Swigart Music, all of Los Angeles, and by Thorpe Music of Boston.
Professor Carlson is the founder and Artistic Director of Pacific Serenades, a Los Angeles-based chamber music ensemble now in its 15th season, known for its unique combination of commissioned works (56 to date) and standard repertoire. Also a flutist, he is an avid performer of chamber music and has performed numerous works written for him and has been a member of the Pasadena Symphony, the YMF Debut Orchestra and the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Very active as a private teacher, he is also on the faculty at Santa Monica College. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from UCLA and a B.A. from California State University, Fresno.
