Kathryn Smith Bowers

 

Emerita Professor of Music

During a 24-year-tenure Dr. Bowers led the Webster Chorale and Choral Society, in addition to the highly regarded St. Louis Summer Sings series. She served Webster as Director of Music Education and Sacred Music, and continues to teach various courses in her very active retirement. Dr. Bowers has published articles and presented papers and workshops in Finland, Hungary, England, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and the United States. She has also directed choral festivals in Washington, DC and the St. Louis area. Her research interests cover a broad range of historical and contemporary topics, including commissioned works for children’s choirs, the American shaped-note tradition, Jacobean verse anthems, and the sacred vocal music of John Jenkins. Other musical activities include transcribing, editing, and composing choral music. Dr. Bowers received degrees in music education and choral music from Northwestern University (BME), the University of Oregon (MA), and the University of Illinois (DMA). Her conducting teachers have included Margaret Hillis, Helmuth Rilling, and Milko Kolarov.