Born in Ft. Lewis, Washington, and raised primarily in Modesto, California, Carlson attended Johnston College at the University of Redlands; received a B.A. from California State University, Fresno, in 1974, where he studied composition with Dennis Riley and David Bates; and received M.A. (1978) and Ph.D. (1984) degrees in Music Theory and Composition at UCLA, where he studied with Alden Ashforth and Paul Reale. His principal flute teacher was Roger S. Stevens, with whom he studied privately beginning in 1972. In 1982, he founded the Los Angeles-based chamber ensemble, Pacific Serenades, for which he continues to serve as Artistic Director. His more than 100 works include songs, chamber music, choral music, concertos, and music for orchestra and for symphonic wind ensemble.
He currently teaches music theory, composition, orchestration, and classes on the administration of performing arts organizations at UCLA, and he also taught music theory and composition at Santa Monica College from 1993 to 2008.
Concertante
Concerto for organ and orchestra (1997)
Concerto for piano and wind ensemble (1994)
Concerto for trumpet, piano, and orchestra (2004)
Chamber music
Abschied for cello and piano (1993)
An American Quintet, String Quintet for 2 violins, 2 violas, and cello (1997)
Batik for violin and piano (2010)
The Darkest Day for euphonium and organ (2007)
Dream Fantasies for flute, oboe, viola, and piano (1999)
A Family Portrait in Five Scenes for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano (2005)
5 Little Pieces for flute and piano (1976)
The Hall of Mirrors for clarinet and piano (1990)
Intermezzo for alto saxophone and piano (2003)
The Mysterious Divertimento of Dr. T for flute and harpsichord (1980)
Night Music for flute (alto flute), and horn quartet (2008)
Nightwings for wind quintet and tape (1978)
Piano Quartet for violin, viola, cello, and piano (1992)
Piano Trio for violin, cello, and piano (2001)
Postcards from Silver Lake for clarinet, alto saxophone, and piano (2010)
Prayer for Peace for 8 horns (2008)
Quartet for flute, clarinet (bass clarinet), cello, and piano (1994)
Short Stories for string quartet (2005)
6 Bagatelles for flute and string quartet (1995)
Sonata for cello and piano (1998)
On the Coming of War, Sonata for viola and piano (2003)
Starry Night for string quartet (1989)
Sueños y canciones (Dreams and Songs) for flute and piccolo, clarinet and bass clarinet, violin, cello, and double bass (2001)
3 Romances for flute and piano (1986)
View from a Hilltop for clarinet (bass clarinet), violin, cello, and piano (2009)
Vocal
After the Sun Has Set for mezzo-soprano and 11 instruments (1986); words by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Cuatro sonetos de amor for soprano and piano (1998); words by Pablo Neruda
Entre la sombra y la alma (Between the shadow and the soul) for soprano, horn, and piano (2008); words by Pablo Neruda
From One Who Stays for mezzo-soprano, flute, cello, and piano (1992); various poets
From the Song of Songs for soprano and piano (1988); translation by Marcia Falk
From the Song of Songs: Part II for mezzo-soprano and piano (1992); translation by Marcia Falk
Night Will Blossom for medium-low voice, flute, and piano (1994); various poets
Patchen Songs for baritone and piano (1976); words by Kenneth Patchen
Songs of Rumi for bass-baritone, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano (2007); words by Rumi
This Is the Garden for baritone and piano (1987); words by E. E. Cummings
Two Songs for mezzo-soprano, tenor saxophone, viola, cello, and piano (2005); words by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and Elizabeth Bishop
Choral
The Ballad of Charlie Howard (A Kenduskeag Trilogy) for TTBB and piano (2001); words by Bruce Olstad, Brian Quint, and the composer
Come, O Holy Spirit, Come for SATB, flute, and organ (2002)
Common Link and The Enemy of Truth for TTBB, violin, and piano (2002); texts by John F. Kennedy
From Children's Voices for SATB and piano (1993); Miracles: Poems by Children of the English-Speaking World, collected by Richard Lewis
Let All Things Now Living for SATB and organ (1993); Katherine K. Davis, poet
Mass: Christ in Majesty for chorus, orchestra, and organ (1987)
Welcome Winter! for TTBB and piano (2002); words by Bruce Olstad
A Wreath of Anthems (An American Christmas Cantata) for SATB and orchestra (1990); various American poets
