Born in central Ohio, Ashton, growing up in a very musical family, developed pianistic and accompanying skills at an early age. Following graduation from Mount Vernon Academy in Ohio in 1958, he attended Capital University where he completed a B.Mus. in 1963. He then completed an M.Mus. at American Conservatory of Music in Chicago in 1964, and a DMA at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1971. All of his degrees were in piano performance. An honors graduate at CU and ACM, he also studied composition in each degree program. Teachers included Stella Roberts and T. Scott Huston.

Ashton played many of the standard piano concerti with SAU's orchestra, most recently performing Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 3. He is a frequent recitalist and is in constant demand as an accompanist for concerts and recitals by local artists, colleagues, and students.

Ashton writes music characterized by strong and effective voice-leading that creates a convincing aural impact. His music has been described as warm and compelling, lyrical, harmonically interesting, and above all accessible. Most of his composing and arranging has been for specific events, often for unusual combinations of instruments, and most often for religious services. Most recently, he wrote the theme song, Proclaim His Grace, for the 2010 General Conference Session in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ashton began his teaching career at Walla Walla College in 1964. From the start he was a gifted teacher and performer, giving numerous recitals. Following four years at WWC, he accepted the position at SAU, where he taught piano, composition, church music, and theory.

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Persons interested in contacting Ashton for more information about his music or for commissioning a work may reach him at

J. Bruce Ashton
Box 498
Collegedale, TN 37315
(423)396-2742