Karlins, M. William

Composer and music professor M. William Karlins was born in New York City, NY, on February 25, 1932. In 1967, Karlins came to Northwestern as an Associate Professor of Theory and Composition, and in 1973, he was appointed a full Professor. He was also the director of the Northwestern University Contemporary Music Ensemble, beginning in 1967, until his retirement in August, 2001. The world premiere of his work “Concert Music No. 5” was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on December 20, 1973.

Karlins obtained a B. Mus. and an M. Mus. concurrently in 1961, from the Manhattan School of Music, and a PhD in Composition from the University of Iowa in 1965.

From 1963 to 1965, Karlins held a graduate assistantship position at the University of Iowa. He joined the faculty of Western Illinois University in 1965 as Professor of Music, a position he held until 1967.

In 1967, Karlins came to Northwestern as an Associate Professor of Theory and Composition, and in 1973, he was appointed a full Professor. He was also the director of the Northwestern University Contemporary Music Ensemble, beginning in 1967, until his retirement in August, 2001.

Karlins wrote his compositions for a wide range of groups. Among them are works for chamber groups, solo instruments, string quartets, choral groups and five Concert Music pieces; 3 for full orchestra, 1 for chorus, and 1 for wind ensemble. His music has been performed by the Chicago, Dallas, Albany, Nuremberg, and Grant Park Symphony Orchestras, as well as by numerous string, wind, and saxophone groups, other concert organizations, and many soloists throughout the world.

The world premiere of his work “Concert Music No. 5” was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on December 20, 1973. Karlins also held the position of Composer-in-Residence at the World Saxophone Congress (es) in London, Bordeaux, and Nuremberg. He was a member of various composer organizations throughout his life, both locally and nationally.

Karlins was married to Miriam (Mickey), neé Cutler, and had two children: a son, Wayne, and a daughter, Laura. Karlins died at his home in Northbrook, Illinois, on May 11, 2005.

From the guide to the M. William Karlins (1932-2005) Papers, 1953-2005, (Northwestern University Archives)