Composer Carlos “Carl” Strommen (b. 1939) first studied English Literature at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts . Subsequently he studied music at the City College of New York (CUNY) in New York City, where he obtained his Master of Music . He completed his studies at the famed Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.
Initially he was conductor of the wind orchestras at the Mamaroneck Public Schools in Mamaroneck, New York, in West Chester county across Long Island Sound. He then became professor for orchestration, composition and arrangement at the C.W. Post College from the Long Island University, his alma mater.
He is well regarded as a leading composer of instrumental and vocal music and especially his pedagogical works play a major role in the training of young musicians. From the “American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers” (ASCAP) he has been awarded several times for his compositions. He also works as a teacher at workshops and courses for conductors of wind orchestras and is a sought-after guest conductor.
As a composer he mainly writes works for wind orchestras, orchestras, jazz bands and vocal music.
The music for Cumberland Cross was provided for the band by
Ross Fjermedal and Susan Evans.