Carl graduated in 1952 from Concordia University Chicago (then known as Concordia Teachers College River Forest) with a B.S. in Education and received a Masters in Music from the Eastman School of Music and an M.A.R. from Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis.

He is a noted Lutheran composer, author, and lecturer. Between 1965 and 2004 he taught church music at Concordia University Chicago and guided the development of the university's Master of Church Music degree. He was a member of the Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship, which produced Lutheran Book of Worship in 1978. He was also the editor of the journal Church Music from 1966 to 1980. Additionally, he is a member of the Music Advisory Committee of Concordia Publishing House and of the board of directors of Lutheran Music Program, the parent organization of the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival.

He is well known for his numerous choral compositions as well as his hymn tunes and carols, which number over one hundred. His hymn tunes may be found in modern Christian hymnals of various denominations. He is also the author of several books on Lutheran music and hymnody.