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.

An active member of the 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. He is becoming sought after for guest conducting engagements for various ensembles and events throughout the country, and commissioned for new works and arrangements for choral and handbell music.

In his admittedly limited spare time, Michael enjoys weightlifting, yoga, and gourmet cooking; and serves as the Bass Section Leader for the North Carolina Master Chorale. 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).