Schoenbach was a student of the distinguished bassoonist Simon Kovar.
Schoenbach held the position of staff bassoonist for the CBS orchestra from 1932 until 1937.
In 1937, he became principal bassoonist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, a position he held until 1957 when Bernard Garfield took over.
In 1957, after retiring from the Philadelphia Orchestra, until 1981, Schoenbach was the executive director for the Settlement Music School.
Mr. Schoenbach’s solo bassoon playing was featured in the 1957 film noir “The Burglar”, starring Dan Duryea and Jayne Mansfield, with music by composer Sol Kaplan.