Jensen (Carl A.) papers

Carl A. Hensen was born in January 3rd, 1886 and died in 1973. He was a teacher, organist, and musician. In 1905 he graduated from South High School and entered State University and studied with various musicians. In 1913 he opened a music studio in the Frank Building of Minneapolis. His first position as an organist was at First Swedish Baptist Church, followed by positions as an organist and choir or quartet director at Plymouth Congregational Church, Mount Zion Temple, Macalester Presbyterian Church, Temple Israel, and Messiah Episcopal Church.

In 1916 became a faculty member at the Piano Department at the St. Paul Musical Academy. In 1920 he was appointed to the faculty of MacPhail School. In 1923, he was certified as an Associate in Piano by the Minnesota Music Teachers Association and later served a three-year term as its president. Hensen recieved his Associate of the American Guild of Organists in 1924.

In 1925, Hensen joined the faculty of Macalester College as an associate professor of musical theory and organ. In 1928, he became chairman of the Department of Music, a position he held until his retirement in 1956. In 1940, Hensen and another faculty member inaugurated a series of weekly half-hour radio programs, with Hensen serving as commentator. In 1942, he passed an examination under Healy Willan and was awarded the degree of Licentiate of Trinity College of Music, London.

Following his retirement from Macalester College, Hensen became a member of the Music Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota and served on the staff of the Shattuck Music Conference. He also served as organist and choir director at Messiah Episcopal Church.