Dr. James Bowyer

Dr. James Bowyer is an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Music Education at Bemidji State University. His textbook, Creative Sightsinging, has been adopted by high schools and colleges around the world. An active choral composer, Dr. Bowyer’s works are published through Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Heritage Music Press, Lorenz, Alfred Music, and Colla Voce.

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) and The Strength of Story in Early Childhood (Springer International). He presently serves on the editorial advisory board of 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 from the University of Washington and the Master of Music 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.