Franklin Ashdown Biography
FRANKLIN ASHDOWN is a composer and retired physician, having pursued dual careers for three decades. Born in 1942, he studied piano for 12 years. At the age of 13, he was recruited to play the organ for a local congregation. He later studied organ with Judson Maynard and James Drake, and was privately coached in composition by Fred Tulan in San Francisco and Leonard Raver of The Julliard School.
His organ and choral compositions have been widely published and performed in venues ranging from Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City to Saint Paul's Cathedral in London and the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. His music has been featured on American Public Media's “Pipedreams,” National Public Radio's “All Things Considered,” and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's CBS broadcast, “Music and the Spoken Word.” Leonard Raver and Stephen Burns recorded his “Requiem for the Challenger” work for trumpet and organ on the Classic Masters Label, and James Welch has included some of his solo organ music in his series of recordings for various labels. He has received several consecutive Standard Panel and ASCAP Plus awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.
Works by Franklin Ashdown
This festive setting of Psalm 150 proclaims the power of the Lord, imploring all to praise him. The work is especially well-suited for larger choirs that are able to provide the volume the text demands. The text is the traditional Latin; we recommend printing the provided English translation in the program or order of worship.
This anthem for SATB choir and organ is a setting of the familiar text of Psalm 119. Reflecting on God's word as our chief guidepost in life, this work is well-suited to be used as a song for illumination during a worship service. The accessible writing is well within reach of any choir.
Recalling stories of providence spanning much of the Old Testament, the text by John Newton, set to new music, reminds us to trust in God rather than relying solely on ourselves. The work is accessible to most choirs.