Karl Blench (b. 1981) is a Houston-based composer, conductor, and educator. He received his undergraduate degrees in music education and music theory from the University of New Hampshire. He made the move to Texas in 2005 after being a middle school music teacher to attend Rice University for his master’s and doctorate degrees in music composition.
Karl’s music is known for making “Texas-sized statements” and for being “heartbreakingly beautiful.” He fully arranged the Houston-based Axiom Quartet’s debut album in 2018. This album garnered highly positive reviews from The WholeNote and American Record Guide. Other notable performances of Blench’s work include the Indianapolis Symphony, the University of Houston Wind Ensemble, the University of New Hampshire Wind Ensemble, Duo Dramatique, The h2 Saxophone Quartet, and the Shepherd School of Music Symphony and Chamber orchestras.
In 2023 Karl became the music director and conductor of Symphony North of Houston.