Stewart Honored With ICDA’s Highest Choral Award

HAMPTON – For Bonnie Stewart, the greatest reward of teaching never was the applause after a concert or the awards lining a trophy case. 

It was watching students discover their confidence, achieve their goals and carry a love of music with them long after graduation.

That commitment to students recently earned the former Hampton-Dumont choral director one of Iowa’s highest honors.

Stewart, of Hampton, received the Iowa Choral Directors Association’s Robert M. McCowen Award for Lifetime Achievement during the association’s Summer Symposium at Central College in Pella. The award is the organization’s highest recognition and honors individuals whose careers have made a lasting impact on choral music throughout Iowa.

Named for Dr. Robert M. McCowen, a former Iowa State University music professor and influential leader in Iowa choral music, the award was established in 1967. Stewart becomes just the 42nd recipient in the association’s 59-year history.

“I never expected to receive this award,” Stewart said. “I always just felt like I did my job to the best of my abilities and just loved my students that came into my classroom. I had such high-achieving students.”

“I just did what I loved and never expected to receive this extreme honor given to me by my peers in choral music. I was just very honored and actually humbled by this experience. It was just a wonderful day.” Stewart said.

Stewart began her teaching career in the Dumont Community School District before later serving in Ventura and Mason City. She concluded her full-time career at Hampton-Dumont High School, where she directed choirs from 1999 until retiring in 2012.

Throughout her career, Stewart directed 10 musicals, including Beauty and the Beast and  West Side Story. She also served in numerous leadership roles with the Iowa Choral Directors Association, directed the 2008 Opus Honor Choir for seventh and eighth grade treble voices and delivered the keynote address at the association’s 2020 Summer Symposium. Today, she continues sharing her love of music as director of the Franklin County Community Choir and the Hampton United Methodist Church Choir.

Despite the accolades, Stewart said seeing students succeed has always been the highlight of her career.

“The most rewarding part was to see my students achieve,” Stewart said. “It was always my goal to set the bar high and just watch those students shine. They would work so hard. I had quite a few students make it into the Iowa All-State Choir and Festival Choir. It’s just a thrill to see them achieve and to know that choral music meant something to them in their lives.”

She said one of the greatest joys has been watching former students continue singing long after leaving her classroom.

“Many of my former students still sing because that is something you can enjoy for a lifetime,” Stewart said. “It’s just so rewarding.”

Among those celebrating Stewart’s recognition was Bethany (Weberg) Nicely, a 1995 Ventura Community School graduate who studied under Stewart in fifth grade through high school. Inspired by Stewart’s mentorship, Nicely pursued music education and is now in her 24th year teaching elementary music in Texas.

“Because of her influence on my life, I chose to attend college for music education,” Nicely said. “To think of the thousands of students I have impacted because of Bonnie Stewart is immeasurable.”

Nicely said Stewart transformed Ventura’s vocal music program into one respected across Iowa despite the school’s small enrollment.

“Other schools knew that Ventura set the bar at contests because of Bonnie’s demand for hard work, perseverance and a level of musicianship that is not usually found in small communities,” she said.

While Stewart’s choirs earned numerous honors, Nicely said her greatest strength was the care she showed every student.

“Above all the awards, each choir member knew they were deeply loved by Bonnie,” Nicely said. “She truly was a mom to each of us at school.”

Nicely recalled Stewart leaving encouraging notes on students’ lockers, baking monkey bread for early morning rehearsals and reminding students they were loved, even after difficult rehearsals.

During her acceptance speech, Stewart credited her success to building a foundation for students rooted in encouragement, humor and love. She thanked her family, colleagues and former students for their support throughout her career, including Nicely, who traveled from Texas to attend the ceremony.

Stewart was joined at the event by her son, Jared Stewart; daughter, Shiona Stewart; and grandsons Samuel and James. She was nominated for the award by friend and colleague Jennifer McClenahan, with support from 15 colleagues, former students, family members and choir participants.

For Stewart, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes more than a career–it celebrates a philosophy of teaching centered on helping students discover their potential. Judging by the generations of singers and educators who continue to carry her lessons forward, that impact will be felt for years to come.