Master of Music in Choral Conducting

Program Schedule/Dates
The Master of Music in Choral Conducting program occurs over the course of three summers. Dates for the upcoming summers will be

• 2020 Summer: June 15 - August 2, 2020

• 2021 Summer: June 14 - August 1, 2021

• 2022 Summer: June 13 - July 31, 2022

Three Summer Class Cadence
Each summer’s symbiotic curriculum blends choral literature study, individual conducting lessons, score study and rehearsal techniques and strategies. Additional music courses for the degree include music theory and history, choral pedagogy, choral diction and more.

A typical day combines a lecture or presentation-style choral literature class with group conducting sessions and choral rehearsals to practice conducting gesture, score analysis and rehearsal techniques and pacing.

For example, the cantatas of Bach are discussed in the morning choral literature class, focusing on the composer's life and the form of his cantatas in relation to other composers. In the afternoon, a seminar in choral conducting provides time to discuss rehearsal strategies of Baroque music and integrating instrumental forces. Next, the Institute Choir rehearses excerpts of a cantata under the baton of the graduate students; professors observe and critique technique during individual podium time. These rehearsals culminate in a performance presented to the general public as part of the Friday Cafe Series and the Choral Festival Discovery Concerts.

Preferred course of study:

Summer One

• MUS 501/2/3: Choral Literature (1, 2, or 3) 4 credits
• MUS 511/2/3: Seminar in Choral Conducting (1, 2, or 3) 2 credits
• MUS 531: Music Theory 4 credits
• MUS 551: Vocal Pedagogy in the Choral Setting 2 credits
• MUS 541: Graduate Choral Ensemble 1 credit
• MUS 561: Concert Conducting 1 credit

Summer Two

• MUS 501/2/3: Choral Literature (1, 2, or 3) 4 credits
• MUS 511/2/3: Seminar in Choral Conducting (1, 2, or 3) 2 credits
• MUS 521: Topics in Music History and Literature 2 credits
• MUS 552/553: Choral Diction (1 or 2) 1 credit
• MUS 542: Advanced Musicianship Training 1 credit
• MUS 541: Graduate Choral Ensemble 1 credit
• MUS 561: Concert Conducting 1 credit

Summer Three

• MUS 501/2/3: Choral Literature (1, 2, or 3) 4 credits
• MUS 511/2/3: Seminar in Choral Conducting (1, 2, or 3) 2 credits
• MUS 552/553: Choral Diction (1 or 2) 1 credit
• MUS 541: Graduate Choral Ensemble 1 credit
• MUS 561: Concert Conducting 1 credit
• MUS 571: Master’s Oral Comprehensive Exam 1 credit

We are happy to hear of your interest in the Master of Music in Choral Conducting offered in partnership by Simpson College and CORO. To apply for the program, the following items must be submitted to the Department of Continuing and Graduate Studies at Simpson College.

We are now accepting applications for the Summer 2020 cohort. The Application Deadline for graduate stipend consideration is February 5, 2020.

Submit an online application and the following supplementary admission items to gradmusic@simpson.edu.  Be sure to include your name in the subject line of each email you may send.

Curriculum Vitae

Statement of Teaching Philosophy: In your statement of teaching philosophy, please state your personal beliefs about the art of teaching; be sure to include what you believe are the most important aspects of teaching, learning, and building trust and relationships. Limit your statement to 300-500 words.

Personal Statement: In your personal statement, please describe your educational and musical background, goals and objectives, and future career plans. Please feel free to include any information that you feel would be helpful to the committee in making our admission decisions. Limit your statement to 300-500 words.

Pre-screening videos: Two video selections of approximately 6-10 minutes each. One video should be of a recent performance and one should be of a recent rehearsal. Videos should not be edited for content. It is preferred that the videos capture the front of the conductor (as viewed from the singer’s perspective); however, we understand that this is not always possible and strongly recommend that at least one (preferably the rehearsal video) shows this perspective of the applicant. IMPORTANT: We request that you upload your videos to YouTube as “unlisted” videos and provide a PDF with links to these two videos emailed to gradmusic@simpson.edu. More directions here if you need them. 

Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional contacts must be included to complete your application. Download and fill out the recommendation form, forward a full copy of the form to each individual, and have them include the completed form with their letter, sent directly to gradmusic@simpson.edu

Official Transcripts: An official transcript is required from each institution attended.

Send to:
Continuing & Graduate Programs Simpson College
Attn: Ginger Hermon
1415 28th Street, Suite 250
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Submit an Application

Each summer, opportunities to conduct in performance will be assigned to each student by the conducting faculty. The conducting committee evaluates these performances. At the end of the program of study, the combined conducted pieces must have contained the following elements.

• A combined performance time of approximately 60 minutes.
• One selection must be performed in English (as the original language)
• One selection must be performed in Latin
• One selection must be performed in German, French, or Italian
• One selection must be performed in an additional language
• One selection must be unaccompanied
• One selection must be with keyboard accompaniment
• One selection must be with instrumentalists
• One selection must be from a multi-movement work (although the full work is not required, knowledge of the entire work and how the particular movement(s) relate to the entire work is required)

Conducting Podium Time is assigned through public concerts during the Des Moines Choral Festival. All recital requirements are fulfilled during the student’s three summer residencies.

Each student is required to pass a 45- to 90-minute oral comprehensive exam that will be administered during their third and final summer in the program. During the exam, the student must demonstrate knowledge by answering questions about choral literature and concert programming, music theory and history, choral rehearsal techniques, choral pedagogy and diction and choral resources at a master’s level.

Resident Conducting Faculty:
Dr. Tim McMillin
Dr. Matthew Oltman
Dr. Philip Moody

Visiting Conducting Faculty:
Dr. Amy Voorhees, Susquehanna University
Dr. Jennaya Robison, Luther College
Erin Plisco, Missouri State University

Orchestral Conducting Masterclass Teachers:
Dr. Peter Eklund, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Michael Christie, Music Director of New West Symphony

Additional Academic Course Faculty:
Dr. Kurt Knecht, Music Theory and Music History
Dr. Nicholas Miguel, Vocal Pedagogy and Choral Diction