Meet Our Conductor

DR. JAMES BOWYER is an Associate Professor of Music at Bemidji State University where he teaches courses in music education, choral studies, and ear training. His textbook, Creative Sightsinging (Santa Barbara Music Publishing), has been adopted by high schools and colleges across the United States and Canada. An active choral composer and arranger, Dr. Bowyer’s works are published through Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Lorenz, and Colla Voce. He recently made his Carnegie Hall debut as conductor of the Indiana University South Bend choirs on their New York City choir tour. 

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A Kodály and Orff specialist, Dr. Bowyer’s research agenda focuses on music literacy, movement, and music education pedagogy. He has written articles for Choral Journal, Orff Echo, and Music Educators Journal in addition to contributing to Teaching Music Through Performance in Choir II and III (GIA Publications) and The Strength of Story in Early Childhood: Diverse Contexts for Development Across Domains (Springer International). 

He presently serves on the editorial advisory board of the Music Educators Journal. Prior to his position at Bemidji State University, he taught on the faculties of McPherson College, Loyola University Maryland, Indiana University South Bend, Brooklyn College, the University of Wyoming, the University of Puget Sound, and Gonzaga University. 

He earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington and the Master of Music in Choral Conducting, Voice Performance & Pedagogy, and Music Education from Westminster Choir College. Dr. Bowyer has taught music for nine years in public, private, and charter school settings in Indiana, Missouri, Massachusetts, and Washington. He frequently adjudicates at regional contests and competitions and serves as guest conductor at clinics and choral festivals. 

As a lyric tenor, he has presented numerous recitals and has appeared as a soloist with a range of orchestras, most recently Bach’s B Minor Mass, Mozart’s Requiem, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.