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Eileen M. Hower Memorial Award

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The Eileen M. Hower Memorial Award is presented in honor of Eileen M. Hower, gifted choral musician and choral educator. 

Eileen earned a bachelor's degree from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, a master's degree from Marywood University, and was working toward a DMA at Boston University. Eileen was a highly successful middle school music teacher at Central Columbia Middle School in Bloomsburg, where she taught for 18 years. During her tenure there, her choirs won numerous awards and were recognized widely for their excellence, with the highlight being an appearance at the 2005 ACDA National Conference in Los Angeles. She presented numerous interest sessions and workshops at state and division conferences, and contributed to a November 2006 article in the Choral Journal. She was particularly passionate about the opportunities presented with middle school voices and providing her students with the finest musical experience possible. This passion spilled over into her teaching at Bloomsburg University where she taught music education and led the Women’s Chorus, inspiring the next generation of music educators. Many students credit her for making a difference in their lives because she believed in them and saw their potential. Her luminous personality and radiant smile lit up the room wherever she went. She gave selflessly to her profession as a member of ACDA and NAfME, serving as President of ACDA-PA from 2007 – 2009. Eileen's passion for music and education lives on through the many colleagues, students, and friends whose lives she touched. 

Her passion and character are exemplified in the following excerpt from an article she wrote for ACDA-PA’s publication, Polyphony:

“Whether we are in a university, a public school, a community or sacred setting, whether we are young or experienced, we have—or will have—our own struggles. But at the end of the day, we must remind ourselves that we offer our students something they can’t get anywhere else. We bring meaning, value and purpose to our singers every time we see them. The gift of choral music is an irreplaceable treasure. It’s the awakening of history and literature, culture and humanity. It’s the beauty of making music, of singing and feeling and learning and knowing and growing. Today I realize more than ever, if we don’t advocate for choral music in the lives of our students, who will?”

Recipients
2014 - Christine Jordanoff
2015 - Donna Knott
​2017 - Mindy Walker
​2022 - Alexis Farrell
​2024 - Amanda Wilson


Criteria
The award is given to a Pennsylvania choral music educator who has been teaching for more than 15 years; has a proven record of commitment to developing voices, particularly at the middle school level; maintains high artistic standards; is actively involved in ACDA or some other professional leadership; models a passionate, positive, energetic, and joyful approach to their work.

ACDA-PA: American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania
Independent voices joining to form a common theme.
  • Home
    • About ACDA
    • PA Chapter By-Laws
    • ACDA-PA Glossary
    • Past PA Presidents
    • Join ACDA!
  • Leadership
  • News
    • Let's Collaborate
    • #SingNewMusic
  • Conferences
    • 2025 Summer
    • Past Events >
      • 2024 Summer
      • 2024 Eastern Region Conference
      • Summer 2023 >
        • 2023 Conference Schedule
        • 2023 Interest Session Proposal
        • Conducting Masterclass
        • Choir for All Honor Choir '23
        • In the Middle Honor Choir '23
      • 2023 National Conference
      • Summer 2022 >
        • 2022 Conference Schedule
        • Choir for All Honor Choir
        • On-Campus Housing
        • Conducting Masterclass
        • Submit Interest Session Proposal
      • Summer 2021
      • 2021 National Conference
      • Summer 2020
      • Eastern Region 2020
      • Summer 2019
      • Fall 2018
      • Summer 2018
      • Eastern Region 2018
      • Fall 2017
  • Awards
    • Elaine Brown Award for Choral Excellence
    • Outstanding Young Conductor Award
    • Eileen M. Hower Memorial Award
  • Events
    • Choir for All Honor Choir 2025
    • Composition Competition