Department of Music

Develop your unique musical gifts through exceptional academics, one-to-one instruction, and generous performance opportunities.

Simpson College is widely recognized for its premier music education.

Whether you’re looking to major in music or want to continue singing and playing while in college, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to hone your talent at Simpson.

We offer three distinct music majors and a minor. Plus, students of all majors engage with our department through general education and elective classes (such as Music Across Cultures) and by lending their talents to various ensembles—including boosting school spirit on game days with our pep and marching bands.

Our faculty members are respected music scholars, performers, conductors, and composers. Their diverse areas of expertise include opera, silent film scoring, jazz piano, bassoon, and 17th-century music. With small class sizes, you’ll get plenty of personal attention, both in the classroom and during lessons.

Simpson music alumni do remarkable things. They go on to lead organizations like the Des Moines Metro Opera, serve as principals in regional performing arts groups, teach music in K-12 and college settings, and tour internationally as professional musicians.

Simpson College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Why Simpson College for Music?

Vocal and instrumental ensemble opportunities

Fully staged operas each academic year

2/3

of Music Performance alumni are professional musicians

Majors, Minors & Programs

Whether your goal is to teach, perform professionally, or combine music with another area of study, we have a program for you.

Music - Bachelor of Arts

This flexible program allows you to pursue a secondary area of study, such as business, theatre, or communication.

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Music Performance - Bachelor of Music

This program is designed to prepare students for careers in music performance or for continued study at the graduate level.

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Music Education - Bachelor of Music

This comprehensive degree prepares students to become successful music teachers in public schools.

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Music Minor

Our minor is ideal for students passionate about keeping music a part of their lives, while majoring in another field.

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Master of Music in Choral Conducting

Gain advanced knowledge, training and performance experience on a delivery schedule ideal for working musicians

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Arts Management Minor

Managing a gallery? Booking entertainment venues? Owning a production house? If you can see yourself in any of these or similar roles, understanding the business side of the arts is critical to success.

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All Programs

Performance Opportunities & Professional Experience

Whether you’re majoring in music or are simply looking for an artistic outlet, you’ll find plenty of performance and learning opportunities at Simpson.

Instrumental Ensembles

Contribute your talents to the Simpson Marching Storm, pep band or a variety of chamber ensembles.

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Choral Ensembles

Our vocal performance opportunities include Chamber Singers and Simpson College Choir.

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Campus Productions

Simpson has a long-standing tradition of producing two fully staged operas each academic year.

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Clubs & Organizations

Participate in one or several music- and performance related clubs, such as Mu Sigma Kappa (music fraternity).

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Workshops, Festivals & Camps

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More About Music at Simpson

Studying music at Simpson gives you access to welcoming department facilities, exciting internships, and merit scholarships.

Des Moines Metro Opera

Simpson is the host venue of the Des Moines Metro Opera, Iowa’s largest performing arts organization. This partnership provides invaluable internship, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities.

DMMO

Department Facilities

Perform memorable concerts in our campus venues, like Lekberg Hall, Pote Theatre, Barnum Theatre and Duncan Hall. Collaborate with classmates in ensemble rehearsal rooms. Gather with friends in our lounges and meeting spaces.

Music Scholarships

Simpson College offers a robust music scholarship program for students of all majors looking to perform in college.

Music Scholarships

A Rising Opera Star

“[The Simpson faculty] became so much like family because of the care, devotion, and attention they gave each one of us students. The growth I made from my freshman to senior year is the most substantial growth I’ve had in my time singing. If not for them, [my career] just wouldn’t have gone the way it has.”

Meghan Kasanders ’14

Internationally Acclaimed Opera Singer

Read the Full Story

Our Statements

Mission Statement

We are a distinctively student-centered music department that believes strongly in the creative and intellectual growth of every student. We are committed to serving: 1) students choosing to major in music, 2) students majoring in other academic areas but who enjoy participation in the department, 3) the cultural environment of the larger community. We are committed to preparing each student for a successful life in music after Simpson. Our program offers a variety of classroom and performance experiences that enable our students to graduate fully prepared to become highly effective music educators and performers, enter quality graduate programs, or use music successfully in related fields. Through our concerted efforts, students and the community at large will come to realize that music moves beyond the realm of entertainment and that an understanding of and appreciation for music can profoundly enrich our lives.

– Revised Spring 2012

Vision Statement

Working together to realize our creative potential through transformative musical experiences.

– Revised Spring 2021