The Catherine A. Dower Scholarship
Musician, professor emerita of music history and literature, and philanthropist Dr. Catherine Dower of Holyoke, Mass. has been a pioneer and leader her whole career as an educator and as a musician. She has also been a lifelong champion for racial and gender equality and fierce advocate for public higher education.
Dr. Dower taught at Westfield State University from 1956 – 1990 and was chair of the Music Department from 1956 – 1967. Musical events were an important part of campus life and as director of the Westfield State College Glee Club, she was instrumental in facilitating performances that were both entertaining and educational. One memorable Westfield State Glee Club performance included serenading the senators from the newest states in the union, Alaska and Hawaii, in 1959.
A voracious scholar fascinated by the intersection of music and culture, Dr. Dower spent time studying music at its various sources including time spent in research at the Vatican Library in preparation for an article on Sistine Chapel choir books as well as time at the University of Innsbruck, Austria; the University of Southern California; the Pius X School of Liturgical Music at Manhattanville College; Solesmes Abbey in France, noted for its Gregorian chants, and the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood. She also spent time studying the music of the Caribbean, especially Puerto Rican music, as well as Irish and Medieval music.
Time spent with students and her own scholarship resulted in articles, manuscripts and books on various aspects of music history that have garnered her numerous accolades and recognitions, which include her installation as a member of the Academia des Artes y Ciencias de Puerto Rico in 1977; investiture in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Roman Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the Pope; recipient of the Tolerance Medal from the Council for Human Understanding, Holyoke, 1985; named Career Woman of the Year from Quota International – Holyoke Chapter, 1988; received the Pride in Performance Award from Governor Michael Dukakis in 1988; received the U.S. Congressional Certificate of Merit in 1990, and received the Commonwealth of Massachusetts citation in 1990.
Dr. Dower retired from Westfield State in 1990 and was named professor emerita of music history and literature in 1991. Since her retirement she has continued to support and share her artistry with new generations of music students. She has generously supported various activities in the music department including the establishment of a music scholarship in her name in 1994.
Dr. Dower earned her B.A. from Hamline University , Phi Beta Kappa, where she studied under composer Ernst Krenek, an M.A. in musicology from Smith College where studied with musicologist Dr. Alfred Einstein, and a Ph.D. in musicology from the Catholic University of America.
Impact
“It is an honor to be able to receive this award with Catherine Dower’s name on it. I hope to be able to have a significant impact on other people’s lives, as she did during her time here at Westfield State University. She embodied what it meant to be an educator, musician, and an overall amazing person. I hope to embody these traits in my own pursuit of knowledge, experience, and happiness.”
-Bailey Forfa ’18, Music
“Catherine Dower’s legacy at Westfield State University is long and storied, and I hope I can live up to the high standards of excellence she has helped to establish.”
-Dean Moccaldi ’22, Music
“The music department here makes me feel that I am home and reminds me every day that I made the right choice to come to Westfield State.”
- Samuel Tsongalis ’21, Music & Political Science
“As a music education major, I am committed to Dr. Dower’s core principles and beliefs. I am excited to instill a love and curiosity of music in the next generation.”
- Skyler Acconcio ’21, Music
“This will go a long way by allowing me to focus primarily on my courses. I will make sure to work hard this semester as well as the rest of my time here.”
-Trevor Taylor ’22, Music
“I am honored to have been selected as a recipient of the Catherine A.Dower Scholarship for music. The financial support this scholarship provides allows me to continue my education with less stress caused by the price tag of attending college and gives me the opportunity to focus even more of my energy on classes, ensembles, observation, and practice hours.”
-Madison Gaudet ’23, Music