Meredith Bowen returns to MSU this fall as a member of the faculty after her position as associate professor of music and director of choral activities at Radford University.
Meredith Bowen, a respected choral conductor and educator, is set to join the faculty of the College of Music at Michigan State University this fall. Bowen’s appointment marks a return to her professional roots and brings her innovative approach to choral music to MSU.
Bowen holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from West Chester University.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Michigan State University, a place that has been instrumental in shaping my career,” Bowen said. “The opportunity to work with such talented students and dedicated faculty is truly inspiring. My experience with the students at the College of Music has been consistently exciting. When I began my studies at MSU, I was struck by how capable and intellectually curious they are.”
Her dedication to choral music and innovative programming have earned her recognition and respect in the field. She has curated performances that address important social issues, such as suicide awareness and refugee support, and she is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator nationwide.
Meredith Bowen singing with mirabai, an ensemble founded and directed by Dr. Sandra Snow, one of Dr. Bowen’s mentors at MSU.
“I believe in the power of music to bring people together and inspire change,” Bowen said. “My work blends a passion for historical music by women composers, a commitment to socially conscious programming, and a dedication to helping the next generation of conductor-teachers develop the technical and artistic skills required for our field.”
Bowen explained that she grew up singing in choirs, playing piano and flute, and participating in band and orchestra in a small Pennsylvania town. Her mother was a professional singer and conductor, and music has always been in her life, especially through her father’s extended family.
“Nine aunts and countless cousins sang in harmony at gatherings,” she said. “One of my earliest memories is standing in the middle of a family reunion, surrounded by fifty relatives spontaneously breaking into four-part harmony. It was a formative moment that set the tone for everything to come.”
What was to come included singing in the top choir during her undergraduate studies at West Chester University and having an epiphany that choral music was not simply something she loved but something more; something she wanted to devote herself to personally and professionally. A journey through higher education followed over twenty years, leading her to this moment.
While working on her DMA at MSU, Meredith Bowen sang with Mosaic (formerly Women’s Chamber Ensemble), University Chorale, and other choirs.
Professor of Choral Conducting, Director of Choral Programs, and Chair of the Conducting Area Sandra Snow joined the MSU faculty in 2004, the same year Bowen arrived in East Lansing to begin her master’s program.
“Her presence was transformative,” Bowen said. “She is the first model I saw of a woman conducting at the university level, leading a treble ensemble that matched the musical excellence of the institution’s most celebrated mixed choirs. When she offered me a graduate assistantship for the ensemble, she said, ‘I have some news for you that is going to change your life.’ And it did.”
Snow is equally enthusiastic for the arrival of Bowen when the 2025-2026 academic year begins.“
Dr. Bowen brings the full package – scholar, artist, and master teacher. Her curiosity and creativity promise to enrich the experiences of graduate and undergraduate students alike,” Snow said. “We are delighted she will join our choral team and look forward to her contributions.”
Meredith Bowen rehearses with the Holland Chorale and Holland Symphony Orchestra. The Holland Chorale is among several ensembles she has led in her work as an accomplished conductor.
Bowen’s appointment comes as Jonathan Reed, a revered figure in choral singing at MSU, retires after more than 30 years of teaching and leadership. Reed’s retirement marks the end of an era, but his contributions to the College of Music leave a legacy. Bowen’s arrival promises to continue the tradition of excellence in choral music at MSU.
“Jonathan Reed’s dedication to choral music and his impact on students and colleagues is truly inspiring,” Bowen said. “I am honored to follow in his footsteps and contribute to the vibrant choral community at MSU.”
Meredith Bowen explained that she grew up singing in choirs, playing piano and flute, and participating in band and orchestra in a small Pennsylvania town, with music prevalent on both her mother’s and father’s side of her family.
Bowen’s vision for her role at MSU includes fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment for students and faculty. She aims to build on the solid foundation established by Reed and others while bringing her unique perspective to the College of Music.
“My goal is to create meaningful, socially conscious performances that resonate with both the performers and the audience,” Bowen said.
Her achievements include the inaugural Distinguished Faculty Award from Radford’s College of Visual and Performing Arts in 2024 and the American Choral Directors Diverse Voices Collaborative Grant in 2019. In 2017, during the early days of the professional women’s ensemble mirabai, Bowen was invited to consult, and she eventually became artistic administrator in addition to singing in the choir. She has since worked closely with Snow, mirabai’s founder, to help bring to life her vision for that ensemble.
“For over two decades, I’ve been challenged, supported, and celebrated by the faculty at MSU—not just in choral conducting but across music education, musicology, theory, and composition,” Bowen said. “This community has shaped me, and I consider returning as a faculty member an honor. Stepping into the role of conductor for Mosaic (formerly Women’s Chamber Ensemble) is truly a full-circle moment in my career.”
Bowen’s leadership in community ensembles such as Sistrum – Lansing Women’s Chorus and the Battle Creek Girls Chorus has led to significant milestones, including professional recordings, new music commissions, and conference performances.
“My work centers on singer-focused pedagogy, inclusive community-building, and expanding the choral canon through scholarship. It’s vital that students feel recognized for who they are, encouraged to take risks, and excited about their growth,” Bowen said. “MSU has always felt like home to me, and I’m excited to add my voice to the legacy of MSU’s choral program through collaboration, curiosity, and belonging.”
