Performing Arts

Chamber Singers (MUS 214S, MWF 11:30 am-12:30 pm, Duncan Hall)
The Chamber Singers is a highly select ensemble of 12-16 students chosen from the membership of College Choir. The group performs music from varied historical periods and genres specializing in unaccompanied music from the Renaissance period and newly composed works for choir. Members of the ensemble possess excellent music reading skills and enjoy the greater independence of being one of just a few voices per part. While the Chamber Singers are talented and accomplished musicians, and many are music majors, this ensemble comprises students from a broad range of other majors at Simpson, including biology, political science, psychology, computer science, theatre, and education.

Simpson College Choir (MUS 214C, TTh 3:50-5:20 pm, F 3:20-4:20 pm, Duncan Hall)
The College Choir is the flagship curricular choral ensemble, and all students accepted by audition into the choral program at Simpson sing together in this group. Performing numerous concerts on campus each year, participating in the cherished annual service of Lessons and Carols, and touring biennially to various locations around the United States, College Choir is where participants make lifelong friendships and musical memories. While the ability to read music is a valuable asset, it is not a prerequisite for acceptance. All who love to sing, regardless of major or previous choral experience, should audition to join us.

The Madrigal Singers – A select group of 14-16 students, Madrigal Singers has a long and proud tradition of performing Renaissance music in all languages with a focus on secular literature. This group tours widely and has been heard on such prestigious stages as Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City and Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. They also enjoy a focus on outreach, performing and workshopping with high school madrigal ensembles annually.

Opera At Simpson – Simpson College is proud to continue our long-standing tradition of producing two fully-staged operas each academic year, in which the principal, supporting and chorus roles are performed exclusively by undergraduates! It’s an opportunity unique to Simpson College and known throughout the world. Whether you are majoring in Music Education, Music Performance or a Bachelor of Arts, all voice students are considered for the major roles in the operas.

Symphonic Band – This ensemble provides a quality musical experience for both music and non-music majors. Both classic band standards and modern wind compositions are performed. The Symphonic Band gives multiple concerts each year and tours every two years. Emphasis is placed on solid musicianship, proper tone quality and a commitment to the ensemble.

Simpson College Community Orchestra – Simpson students come together with talented musicians from the broader community to perform two concerts per year on Simpson’s campus. The focus of this group is to bring people together, perform beautiful music and provide an enriching, cultural experience for the community as a whole.

Simpson College Jazz Ensemble – If you enjoy performing big band music from the past seven decades, you’ll find a home in the Jazz Ensemble. The group, which plays a full concert each semester as well as appearances on and off campus, places an emphasis on good musicianship, stylistic considerations, jazz techniques and a commitment to improvisation. You will learn from nationally and internationally known visiting jazz artists who are brought to campus each year.

Chamber Ensembles – Simpson College features a wide assortment of chamber music ensembles, such as the Lekberg Winds, saxophone quartets, flute choir, pep band and more. These groups typically play a variety of concert venues each semester.

View the 2024/2025 Schedule

What better way to experience the Simpson Music Culture than to attend a workshop, camp or festival on campus? The Simpson College Department of Music offers several festivals during the school year. Each festival and camp offers a different experience to the young musician.

Workshops in Music Education – This unique experience for Simpson College music students is led by successful music educators from across the country. Once a semester, you will get to learn side by side with teachers and graduate students from the community about different methods, philosophies and ideas of teaching in the field of music. This helps equip our students with many different ideas and skills to become fantastic and versatile music educators.

Jazz Camp – Each year in June, the Simpson College Music Department hosts students for a six-day jazz camp. The camp provides an intensive experience for up to 100 middle and high school students, ages 12 – 19, looking to gain skills and appreciation in jazz and improvisation. The faculty includes some of the most respected jazz educators in the Midwest. Students will have many opportunities to work on their craft, and be able to hear the faculty perform nightly. For information and registration information, click here.

Jazz Festival – High school jazz bands can compete in Simpson’s annual Jazz Festival held each January on campus. Bands are mentored by professional musicians and given feedback on their performances. Trophies are awarded for winners. Click here for more information.

Simpson College Honor Choir – The Simpson College Honor Choir is designed as a non-competitive environment where exceptional students from high school choral programs have the opportunity to spend a day rehearsing and performing high quality choral music. The festival augments and reinforces the exciting work that is already being done in their home choral programs. A day such as this serves as an opportunity for students to energize, discover and reaffirm their interest and passion in singing.

High School/Middle School Honor Band – These two separate festivals allow students from many schools to come together and work with exciting guest conductors. Typically over fifty schools participate. Both events typically occur in January and students perform in Pote Theatre in the Blank Performing Arts Center. For more information or questions, contact Mike Eckerty, Director of Instrumental Ensembles. For more information and registration visit Middle School Honor Band or High School Honor Band.

High School Choral Invitational – This invitation only event offers a full day of musical enrichment will help you attain the highest level of artistry and focus with your choir. The Invitational provides a supportive forum for four to six invited high school choirs to share choral music with one another and receive feedback from three expert choral clinicians. Throughout the day, the clinicians will provide advice for improving the performance of the prepared pieces as well as overarching choral concepts. Singers also observe the other choirs in a workshop environment in order to observe and reflect on these changes as they occur. If you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Jon Arnold Director of Choral Studies at Simpson College.