Carlson graduated from the University of Waterloo, the University of Toronto and the University of Manitoba where he studied composition with Dr. Robert Turner. Bruce Carlson, through the Manitoba Arts Council and other funding bodies, has received numerous commissions to write for groups such as the Festival Quartet of Canada, the Purcell String Quartet, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, the Winnipeg Singers, the Winnipeg Brass and numerous high school and university concert bands and choirs. His Toledo premiered by the John Henderson Junior HighWind Ensemble under the direction of Jeff Kula, was the first work to be commissioned by a Manitoba high school band through the Manitoba Arts Council. Furthermore, it was chosen in 2002 to be the first Canadian work to be included in the publication Teaching music through performance in band. Toledo has been performed internationally including performances in the United States, Hong Kong, Germany and Singapore. In 2007 in the MBM Times music magazine, Toledo was selected to be included on the noted American band conductor Frank Ticheli's list of high-quality band works. Bruce and his wife, Carole, who have 4 children and 3 grandchildren, live in Domain, Manitoba, Canada.
Notable works
Toledo – was commissioned by John Henderson Junior High Wind Ensemble through the Manitoba Arts Council
Gloria - A Contemporary Chorale for Concert Band was commissioned by the Manitoba Band Association to commemorate its 25th anniversary
Navy Hymn was commissioned by the HMCS Chippawa Naval Reserve Band to commemorate Chippawa's 80th anniversary
Adamas was premiered at the Winnipeg Concert Hall by the River East Collegiate Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jeff Kula in 2005 and performed again at the Optimist Festival in 2006
Red River Valley was commissioned by the Rupertsland Brass Band and was performed by a mass band under the direction of Robert Redhead at the Prairie Brass Band Festival in Winnipeg, in 2006
Jubilate Deo was performed, commissioned by Helen Litz and the Winnipeg Mennonite Children's Choir to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the choir under the direction of its founder, Helen Litz
