What Happened to Dr. Lauren Fowler?

Dr. Lauren Fowler, Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at William Paterson University (WPU), sadly passed away on December 13, 2023. The untimely loss has profoundly saddened the WPU community, given her strong dedication to music education within the university. In this article, we will share some details about Dr. Fowler’s life, achievements, and cause of death, as well as some tributes from her colleagues and students.

Who Was Dr. Lauren Fowler?

Dr. Lauren Fowler was a talented and passionate music educator, conductor, and singer, who joined the WPU faculty in 2019. She taught undergraduate and graduate courses in choral conducting, choral literature, and vocal pedagogy, and directed the WPU Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. She also served as the artistic director of the New Jersey Youth Chorus Young Men’s Ensemble.

Doctor Fowler earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, her Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina, and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of North Texas. She also studied at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and the Westminster Choir College Conducting Institute.

Dr. Fowler had extensive experience as a choral conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and guest lecturer, both nationally and internationally. She conducted choirs and workshops in various venues, such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the National Cathedral, the Vatican, and the Sydney Opera House. She also presented research papers and sessions at several conferences, such as the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the International Society for Music Education (ISME).

Lauren was an active member of several professional organizations, such as the ACDA, the NAfME, the College Music Society, the National Collegiate Choral Organization, and the International Federation for Choral Music. She also served as the Repertoire and Resources Chair for College and University Choirs for the ACDA Eastern Division.

Dr. Fowler was also a skilled soprano, who performed as a soloist and ensemble singer in various genres, such as opera, oratorio, musical theater, and jazz. She sang with several professional ensembles, such as the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the Voices of Ascension.

How Did Dr. Lauren Fowler Die?

According to the official obituary, Dr. Lauren Fowler passed away peacefully at her home in Wayne, New Jersey, on December 13, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 36 years old. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Christopher Aspaas, who is also a music professor at WPU, her parents, her brother, her sister-in-law, her niece, her nephew, and many other relatives and friends.

Dr. Fowler’s funeral service will be held on December 18, 2023, at 11 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Wayne, New Jersey. The service will be live-streamed on the church’s website. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dr. Lauren Fowler Scholarship Fund, which will support music students at WPU, or to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where Dr. Fowler received treatment.

What Are Some Tributes to Dr. Lauren Fowler?

Dr. Fowler’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief and admiration from her colleagues, students, and the wider music community. Here are some of the tributes that have been shared on social media and other platforms:

Doctor Fowler was a brilliant musician, a gifted teacher, a wonderful colleague, and a dear friend. She touched the lives of so many people with her kindness, generosity, humor, and grace. She inspired us all with her courage, resilience, and optimism. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on in the music she made and the students she mentored. Rest in peace, Lauren. You will always be in our hearts. – Dr. David Demsey, Coordinator of Jazz Studies and Professor of Music at WPU.

Dr. Lauren was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She was not only my professor, but also my mentor, my role model, and my friend. She taught me so much about music, but also about life. She always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, to challenge myself, to be confident, and to be compassionate. She always had a smile on her face, even when she was going through the toughest times. She was a fighter, a warrior, and a hero. I will never forget her, and I will always be grateful for the impact she had on my life. Thank you, Dr. Fowler, for everything. I love you. – Jessica Lee, a senior music education major and a member of the WPU Concert Choir and Chamber Singers.

Dr. Lauren Fowler was a phenomenal conductor, a superb singer, and a remarkable educator. She had a passion for choral music that was contagious, and a vision for excellence that was inspiring. She was a leader in the field, a respected scholar, and a sought-after clinician. She was also a warm, friendly, and humble person, who always made time for others. She was a joy to work with, and a pleasure to know. She was a shining star in the choral world, and a bright light in the lives of many. She will be sorely missed, but her music will live on. – Dr. Tim Sharp, Executive Director of the ACDA.

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