Growing in God's grace

Music Ministers

Michael J. Glasgow

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Michael J. Glasgow, Minister of Music - Michael J. Glasgow is NRUMC's first full-time Minister of Music, and has been with us since April 1998. He is a native of Detroit, and his family still lives in Michigan. An honors graduate from the College of Charleston (SC), Michael holds B.A. degrees in music theory/composition and journalism. He holds a summa cum laude Master of Church Music degree from Concordia University Wisconsin as the program's first double-emphasis student, in both choral and handbell music.

Michael has composed four musical plays (two of which premiered in Charleston's Sottile Theatre), as well as numerous original sacred choral, orchestral, and handbell compositions. His eclectic tastes and whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm have brought much new and challenging music to NRUMC, including his setting of the Latin Requiem text, premiered here on April 8, 2001 with full orchestra and choir. Its ten-year anniversary services will be held on April 12, 2011.

An active member of the American Composers Forum (ACF), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR), the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and the Worship Arts (FUMMWA), Michael participates in many extracurricular and educational pursuits, including serving as the editor for the AGEHR Area III newsletter, The Bell-O-Gram.

Michael’s greatest joys are composing and conducting. In addition to his position at NRUMC, he serves as Bass Section Leader for the North Carolina Master Chorale, the Choral Conductor for the Tar River Orchestra & Chorus (Rocky Mount), and 2010 marks his first season as Music Director of the Oakwood Waits, Raleigh’s premiere Christmas caroling troupe. He is a dynamic, energizing musician who connects well with people and music, and as such is sought after for conducting engagements throughout the country.

As a composer, Michael keeps busy with commissions and his own projects, and he strives to creatively advance the choral and handbell repertoire. He was awarded a first prize in the 2006 Soundprint Productions composition contest for his original jazz handbell piece, Celerity; as well as first prize in the 2007 Bells of the Sound "Three Ring Circus" composition contest for Bumping Noses. His most recent contest win is for Welcome the King, an SATB carol accompanied by solo viola, created for the 2009 VocalEssence "Welcome Christmas" composition contest.

In his admittedly limited spare time, Michael enjoys weightlifting, yoga, and gourmet cooking. Additional information and samples of Michael's work may be found at www.michaeljglasgow.com.


Kathy Aspenwall

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Kathy Aspenwall, Associate Minister of Music - Kathy and her husband Jim spent most of their lives living in historic Mt. Pleasant, OH where they were both active in the First Presbyterian Church. Kathy served as an elder, trustee, choir director, and pianist.

Kathy received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a major in music education and piano and a Master of Music degree from Duquesne University with a major in flute performance. She played flute professionally with the Wheeling (WV) Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years. Kathy spent many years teaching elementary and high school music in public schools along with teaching flute and piano at Muskingum College (OH) & West Liberty State College (WV). She also presented numerous leadership, mentoring, curriculum, and team-building workshops for the State of WV Center for Professional Development.

Kathy and Jim own “Blossoms” and have participated in nationally ranked craft shows in NC, VA, & OH in decorative painting. In Ohio, they operated a garden and gift shop business. Kathy enjoys gardening, travelling, and playing handbells.

They have two grown children:

  • Son Jim and his wife Amy live in Maineville, OH with sons Grant (age 6) and Austin (age 2).
  • Daughter Johanna and her husband Brad Caplan live in Raleigh with their daughter Laurel (age 3) and son Sam (age 1).