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Music Scholarship Information

The music community at Simpson is rich and diverse and we hope you will be a part of it! We are proud to offer scholarships to accomplished musicians who wish to continue performing or studying music while at Simpson. You do not need to major or minor in music to qualify or maintain a music award.

Music Scholarship Auditions

The music community at Simpson is rich and diverse and we hope you will be a part of it! We are proud to offer scholarships to accomplished musicians who wish to continue performing or studying music while at Simpson. You do not need to major or minor in music to qualify or maintain a music award.

Prospective students: Register now for our 2023-2024 Music Scholarship Auditions! Click the link below to sign up for an audition time.

Eligibility

  • High school seniors and transfer students may audition for a music scholarship.
  • Scholarship auditions are separate from auditions for ensembles and productions. You do not have to audition for a scholarship in order to participate in music at Simpson.
  • Awards are made to students on the basis of musical ability and academic promise.
  • Music awards can be added to financial aid packages, except when those include a full- tuition award, such as the Simpson Promise or tuition exchange.
  • Scholarship recipients are required to enroll in a major ensemble related to their primary performance area every semester. (two exceptions: students can keep their scholarships without ensemble participation during student teaching or study abroad semesters). The major ensembles for each primary performance area are as follows:

          Vocal majors – Mus 214C: College Choir 
          Woodwind, brass, and percussion majors – Mus 214B: Symphonic Band

          String majors – Mus 214O: Orchestra

          Piano, organ, guitar, & harp majors – One of the ensembles listed above

  • Students who have been selected for All-State during their high school career are automatically eligible for a $1,000 scholarship.

Auditions and registration

  • Our primary in-person auditions will be held on the following dates:
    • Sunday, December 3rd, 2023
    • Sunday, February 4th, 2024
    • Friday, March 22nd, 2024 (Admitted Student Day)
  • Students who audition before or by February 12th are eligible for maximum scholarship priority consideration.

Students who are not able to attend the above audition dates may elect to schedule an ad hoc audition as availability allows. Music Majors are highly encouraged to audition on our scheduled live dates when possible. Prospective Music Minors or non-majors may elect to audition during a campus visit. Schedule a campus visit here.

In-person auditions are highly encouraged, but recorded submissions are also accepted. See our Recorded Audition Guidelines below. If you live more than 300 miles away, be sure to check out our Fly-In Program, which can reimburse you for all or part of your airfare.

To register for an audition, click through to our Audition Registration Form.

Audition Requirements by Division
Music Majors: Prepare two selections in contrasting styles
Music Minors/non-Majors: Prepare one musical selection

  • For vocalists, folk songs, art songs, arias, and musical theatre pieces are all acceptable. Solo pieces used for Solo & Ensemble contests are appropriate and encouraged. Please, no choral works.
  • For instrumentalists, your selections may include standalone solos, a movement or movements from a larger work, excerpts from symphonic works, or etudes. Excerpts used for All-State auditions are appropriate and encouraged.

Video Audition Guidelines

While in-person auditions are preferred and highly encouraged for maximum scholarship consideration, we will accept video audition submissions for those who are unable to make it to campus.

All video submissions must comply with the repertoire requirements listed above. Should piano accompaniment be included in your repertoire, recording with a live pianist or using a backing track are both acceptable options. For those recording more than one selection, you may record all repertoire selections on one take, or record separate tracks for each piece. Please ensure that you are visible in the frame.

Please upload video auditions to YouTube. You may choose to set the video(s) as Unlisted or Public. To submit a video audition, complete our Audition Registration form and use the submission box on the form to submit your YouTube link(s).

Questions?

For additional questions, please view our Audition FAQ below, email the Music Office, or call or text 515-303-0327. We look forward to hearing from you!

    Audition FAQ

    All auditions will take place in the Amy Robertson Music Building on Simpson College’s campus. Specific room assignments will be sent out along with your scheduled audition time.

    Live on-site auditions are strongly preferred. However, recorded video auditions will be accepted. Please contact our Music Office for more details on submitting a video audition.