Karl Blench

Karl Blench is a composer and conductor who holds bachelor’s degrees in education and music theory from the University of New Hampshire, and a Master’s degree and DMA in composition from Rice University. His music has been performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Cuba. Recent engagements include performances of his works by the Shepherd School Chamber Symphony, the h2 Saxophone Quartet, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the University of New Hampshire and University of Houston Wind Ensembles. Notable prizes include the H. Robert Reynolds Composer’s Competition, the Cooper Prize from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice, an ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award, and the Indianapolis Symphony Prize. 

As a conductor Blench focuses mainly on music from the 20th and 21st centuries and frequently conducts premieres of new works throughout the country. He has recently worked with the Foundation of Modern Music in Houston, and Syzygy, the new music series at Rice. He currently teaches in the Houston area and is the Composer-In Residence for the Axiom String Quartet. His works are featured on Axiom’s debut album, AXIOMS: MOMENTS OF TRUTH, which was released in April 2018 by Navona Records.