Charles C. Aschbrenner

Charles C. Aschbrenner age 79, of Holland, died Sunday, September 18, 2016. Charles, an Adjunct Professor Emeritus of Music, taught for 53 years at Hope College. He has lectured and adjudicated in addition to performing both as soloist and collaborative pianist thoughout Michigan and the Midwest as well as in Mexico, Portugal, France and Russia. His piano students have entered graduate programs across the country and into careers in teaching, performance, church music, music theater, and opera direction worldwide. With degrees from the University of Illinois and Yale University, Aschbrenner continued studies with renowned teachers Nadia Boulanger in France and Adele Marcus in New York City. Also licensed Dalcroze Instructor, he has taught eurhythmics at Hope College for thirty years. Extensively trained in the techniques of Taubman, Alexander and Feldenkrais, Ashbrenner has been intensely interested in the issues movement, rhythm, and physical freedom in performance. His innovative presentation "Pulse Patterning for Pianists," (www.pulsepatterning.com) first given nationally at the 1993 MTNA convention in Spokane, has continued to evolve and serves as a basis for article, a website and presentations at regional and international conferences, most recently in Novi Sad, Serbia. Charles studied Oboe with Ray Stills of the Chicago Symphony and was a founding member of the Hour of Power Eagles Club and long-time supporter. He was involved in NMTA-National Music Teachers Association, MMTA-Michigan Music Teachers Association, EPTA-European Piano Teachers Association, Board of Trustees of the Dalcroze Society of America, Life Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Life Member of MU Phi Epsilon. Born on November 19, 1936, in Oak Park, IL. Charles was the son of Henry Gustav Aschbrenner and Myrtle Emma Krueger Aschbrenner. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert Aschbrenner. Charles is survived by his spouse, Chris T. Spencer, who he married on September 7, 2016, after 39 years of companionship; his sister-in-law, Mary Aschbrenner; nephew and nieces, Roger and Katrina Aschbrenner, Debbie and Brad Stanger, Karen and Ron Johnson; many cousins. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 23, 2016 at the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts on the campus of Hope College, 221 Columbia Ave. Holland. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, September 22, at the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St. Holland. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Charles Aschbrenner Piano Scholarship at Hope College and the Charles Aschbrenner Music Scholarship at the Holland/Zeeland Community Foundation. www.langelandsterenberg.com.

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Charles C. Aschbrenner

November 19, 1936 - September 18, 2016