Stephen Bolster

He was fresh out of school, looking for a job at a liberal arts school, and learned of an opening at Berea College. The job wasn’t supposed to turn into a lifetime career move, yet it has. Dr. Stephen Bolster and his wife, Sandy, moved to Berea twenty-three years ago and have no plans of leaving.

Dr. Bolster was raised just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Since then, he has lived numerous places while completing his education. He attained his undergraduate degree in Music from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. He graduated in June of 1973, Magna Cum Laude. He completed another year of school at University of Michigan Ann Arbor where he started his master’s degree in music theory. At this point Dr. Bolster decided to continue school, in order to become a conductor. He attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he studied Choral Arts until June of 1977, at which he graduated with a Masters Degree. After this, he realized he wanted to work on the college level and he pursued a DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) degree in Choral Literature and Performance from the University of Colorado. In May of 1980, he completed his degree. After working for Berea College for almost nine years, he took a sabbatical and did postdoctoral work at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. While these educational accomplishments alone are amazing, his achievements don’t stop here.

Dr. Stephen Bolster - Berea College Music Department

In the past he has been involved in both community and music orientated activities. He once served as the president of the Kentucky Association of College Music Departments (KACMD). He is a past board member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and member of the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM). He was once on the Art Council Board. Dr. Bolster is a past Deacon of Union Church and he has also served as the Chair of the Music Committee at Union Church. Currently his family and job continue to keep him busy. He has not only been a Professor of Music, but since 1991 he served as the Chair of the Music Department at Berea College. Currently, he is also serving as the State President of American Choral Directors for Kentucky.

When Dr. Bolster is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and working around the house. Dr. Bolster’s wife, Sandy, also works for Berea college as "Director of End User Services" at the Computer Center of Berea College. Together they have two son’s, Evan and Todd, who are currently college students and living away from home. When time presents itself, he works out at Seabury or enjoys hiking outdoors.

When I asked him what he enjoys most about his job, he quickly answered, “being the Director of Concert Choir and interacting with the student.” Dr. Bolster feels that there is something “refreshing” about the students who attend Berea College. He notes that most of them come from environments where there wasn’t the means to spoil them. Therefore, most of them are genuine, interested in learning, and hard workers according to Dr. Bolster. Both, he and his wife, feel that the students make their jobs worthwhile.

Steve and Sandy Bolster in Paris on tour with the Berea College Concert Choir

Dr. Bolster is continually recognized for his hard work and talent. His most recent recognition was in July of 2002, when he became the recipient of the Robert K. Baar Award for Choral Excellence, from the Kentucky Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. This is a lifetime award and one of which he is very proud. In 2000, he was named Kentucky Teacher of the Year in College/University Education from the Kentucky Music Educators Association. He has also been awarded “Man of the Year” in 1995, by the Berea College Mortar Board Society and the Seabury Award for Excellence in Teaching by Berea College in 1988. These are only a few of the many recognitions and honors Dr. Bolster has achieved. Starting June 30th, Dr. Bolster will step down from his position as the Chair of the Music Department. He will remain in the classroom and very involved with the college. In fact, he already has plans to start the first “Faculty and Staff Choir.” He is very excited about this new opportunity and hopes his colleagues share his enthusiasm. Since he hopes to have a little more free time, he is already making plans to work on some small projects around his house and conjure up new interests.

He has seen Berea evolve and change in the last twenty-three years. He feels the biggest change, has been the amount of traffic that Berea has received. In his opinion, this is a direct result of the growth that has taken place. Dr. Bolster remembers when there were only a few restaurants to choose from, and when crossing the intersections at Berea College only took a few seconds. Today, he recognizes growth all over Berea. He notes the remodeling and modernization-taking place at Berea College has made amazing changes.

However, he feels there are some things about Berea that haven’t changed, and he hopes they never do. He feels the size, cleanliness, and location are perfect. He explains, “Berea has that small town feel with the country Appalachian foot hills on one side and the city life of Lexington on the other.” He enjoys the small town feel and the close-knit relationships that exist. When he and Sandy first moved to Berea, they expected to stay four or five years. Yet, the town, students and friendships have made this their lifelong home.

Written by Hannah Billings