A dedicated musical director and composer who began his career as an intern for the Gettysburg Children’s Choir has been named the organization’s new artistic director.
Although Matt Carlson officially assumed his new role in July, he has been involved with the Gettysburg Children’s Choir for approximately 12 years.
Becoming the new artistic director of the Gettysburg Children’s Choir created a looping moment for Carlson, who also serves as choir director at Bermudian Springs middle and high schools.
Carlson said he got his start as a choir director through his work with the children’s choir as an intern while a student at Gettysburg College.
“Where the rubber meets the road is when you meet the kids,” Carlson said of his internship experience. “When I was directing actual students, I really cut my teeth and was able to find myself as a teacher. It all started with the Gettysburg Children’s Choir.
The Gettysburg Children’s Choir is a nonprofit organization that provides a high-quality choral program outside of schools for students in grades three through 12, according to Carlson.
“I truly believe the Gettysburg Children’s Choir is one of the most unique and enriching experiences children can have here in Adams County,” Carlson said.
The best part, Carlson said, is seeing the students and creating a safe place for them.
“It’s about creating a place where they feel seen and heard,” Carlson said, adding that he wants students to feel like it’s a place they belong and the choir becomes like another family.
Carlson takes the lead after Brent Talbot was the organization’s artistic director for 12 years, he said.
Talbot was a mentor and professor of music education when Carlson attended Gettysburg College.
At the choir’s final concert, Carlson composed a song called “Go Forth”, in honor of Talbot, which the students learned in secret and performed.
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” Carlson said. “It was so meaningful to have one of my last contributions with Brent as a director to have a composition dedicated to him. It was one of the most special musical moments I’ve had until here.
Since Carlson has previous experience with the organization as acting director when Talbot was on sabbatical for three semesters and as assistant director of summer camp provided by the Adams County Arts Council during 10 years, he thinks it will be a “smooth transition” in leadership. .
Carlson, who is also a composer, enjoyed challenging himself to write songs for the students to perform at summer camp.
“One of the songs I wrote for camp was released this year by one of the nation’s leading choir publishers, Santa Barbara Music Publishing,” Carlson said, adding that the song is called “The Little Creek”.
Carlson said his relationship with the Gettysburg Children’s Choir helped him grow as a composer and create new music for students.
The Gettysburg Children’s Choir is holding auditions August 29 from 5:30-7 p.m. Each choir rehearses once a week for 90 minutes with at least three to four performances per year.
“We’re looking for kids who like to sing,” Carlson said.
The first concert this fall is called “Why We Tell History,” said Carlson, who noted how there are different paths to take in life that shape people as they grow.
The concert is scheduled for November 20 at 4 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 30 Chambersburg St., Gettysburg, Carlson said, adding that he had arranged a new song for the choir with the same title from the musical “Once on This Island”.
“I can’t wait to write new stories for my first season as Art Director,” Carlson said.
For more information about the Gettysburg Children’s Choir, visit Gettysburgcc.org.
Alvin M. Keeling 
