Philip Carlsen is a nationally recognized composer whose music has been performed by the Portland Symphony, Sebago-Long Lakes Region Chamber Music Festival, Manhattan Marimba Quartet, National Symphony Chamber Players, and many other groups in Maine and around the country. Besides St. Mary Schola, which he joined in 2015, he plays cello in the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra and the Buttonwood Piano Trio. Since retirement from the University of Maine at Farmington, Phil has directed the Back Cove Contemporary Music Festival at the Portland Conservatory, and also writes program notes for Portland Ovations. He lives in South Portland with his wife, the poet Jeri Theriault.