Dr. Kenneth Bowles

Professor Emeritus, Voice and Choirs

Office: Old Main 111
Email: kenneth.bowles@minotstateu.edu
Phone Number: 858-3191

BME Texas Christian University
MME, DMA University of Oklahoma

Professor Emeritus Kenneth Bowles returns to assist with applied voice instruction after having retired in 2016 with thirty-eight years teaching experience at the university level. He began his tenure at Minot State in 1993 as Director of Choral Activities and Executive Director of the Western Plains Opera Company, and served as Chair of the Division of Music in the eight years preceding his retirement.

His responsibilities included working with choirs and maintaining a voice studio. He revived the opera scenes course, and ushered current MSU students into Western Plains Opera productions. This encouragement led many singers to graduate study and successful careers as singers. Bowles has regularly appeared as tenor soloist in recital, oratorio and operatic performances.

Over the course of his Minot career, Dr. Bowles united MSU's Concert Choir with the Minot Chamber Chorale in Mendelssohn's Elijah, Bach's St. John Passion, Honegger's King David, and was also honored to conduct the annual Messiah concert with the Heritage Singers, MSU's Concert Choir, community members, and area high school students. He currently sings with the Heritage Singers, and serves as one of its conductors.

Dr. Bowles holds degrees from Texas Christian University and the University of Oklahoma. Before coming to Minot in 1993, he served on the music faculties of Indiana University, Bloomington and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. His teachers include Julius Herford, Beverly Henson and Margaret Swain; and additional independent study with Nadia Boulanger and Fiora Contino.

Dr. Bowles is a past President of the North Dakota American Choral Directors Association and a founding board member of the ND National Association of Teachers of Singing. He frequently serves as clinician and guest conductor throughout North Dakota, western Montana, Canada and the International Peace Gardens.