Dr. Nancy C. Fowler served as Professor of Oboe, Music Education, and Wind Pedagogy for forty-eight years and retired in May, 2003. A native of Lima, Ohio, she holds the B.S. (cum laude), M.M., and Ph.D. degrees from Ohio State University. Her tenure at FSU began in 1955, when she was brought to the School of Music faculty as instructor of woodwinds upon the recommendation of Dr. Manley R. Whitcomb. For many years, she was also the sponsor of Tau Beta Sigma. In 1958-59, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to study oboe in Amsterdam, Holland. Dr. Fowler was a founding member of the Tallahassee Symphony and played oboe with many other orchestras in the Southeast and English horn with the Albany, Georgia Symphony. She is a member of the International Double Reed Society, as well as a former secretary and co-host of the twelfth and twenty-fifth conferences held in Tallahassee.
Along with Dr. Whitcomb, Robert Braunagel and Charlie Carter, Dr. Nancy Fowler was a key faculty member in establishing and building the traditions of the Marching Chiefs. It was pointed out at her retirement celebration in 2003 that she continues to attend Tallahassee Winds concerts in Tallahassee and has through the years supported her students and former students by attending their recitals and concerts. Recently awarded Professor Emeritus status, Dr. Fowler has devoted her professional life to the instruction of students in Florida State’s School of Music and in turn has helped to build the highly respected reputation enjoyed by the bands at FSU.