Alden B. Ashforth *71

Alden Ashforth, professor emeritus of music at UCLA and a prolific composer, died of heart failure Jan. 29, 2016, at the age of 82.

In 1958, Ashforth earned an AB degree as well as a bachelor’s degree in music from Oberlin College and then earned a Ph.D. in music from Princeton in 1971. He was a professor of music at UCLA from 1967 to 1998, after having taught at New York University and City University of New York, as well as at Princeton and Oberlin.

He composed many instrumental, vocal, and electronic works. His interests ranged from classical to jazz to electronic music. At UCLA, he also coordinated the electronic music studio. Ashforth was a highly skilled player of the piano, harpsichord, organ, and cello. As a jazz musician, he played the clarinet and piano.

Ashforth was an active jazz researcher, and contributed to the Annual Review of Jazz Studies and The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. He also wrote articles on classical music in Perspectives of New Music and The Music Review.

Ashforth is survived by his partner, Steven D. Teeter; three daughters; his former wife, Nancy Regnier, and six grandchildren.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.