Music carefully crafted, tastefully new, intellectually interesting, with excellent audience appeal.
Bruce Ashton is a fluent writer with an ear for the distinctive sound which “fits”. From original hymn tunes to chamber music miniatures, from sprightly duet arrangements to festival anthems, his craftsmanship is always at the service of the listener’s pleasure and satisfaction.
music by J. Bruce Ashton
Composer-arranger, J. Bruce Ashton, specializes in tasteful arrangements of hymns and familiar tunes, for small ensembles, or large. He also writes appealing original compositions for recital hall and church. Most of his works are written for specific individuals, groups, or occasions. A good number of them are for unusual combinations of instruments such as viola and clarinet. Many have been performed frequently, and have become dearly loved by those who have heard them and performed them.
His works are most suitable for church musicians, for sacred concert, or for teaching purposes. Some, however, written for professional musicians, can be challenging to perform. The common thread through all his work is accessibility, a sound that pleases the listener as well as the performer, music that is new, but attractive. Whether written for choir, voice, or instruments, from small ensembles to large works, all receive the benefit of meticulous craftsmanship and care.
Until recently, most of Bruce Ashton’s hundreds of pieces have been unpublished. Thus they have not been available to the general public. We are seeking to correct that situation. You will find on this website’s pages many of his compositions. Most of his works are now self-published, and are either ready for shipping, or can be printed and sent to you promptly. We hope that you will enjoy browsing through the collection, and that you will find something in it that will fit your needs and bring you pleasure.
Dr. Bruce Ashton with a group of excellent string players performing Dohnanyi’s Piano Quintet in c minor, Op. 1.