Simpson College Department of Music Viewbook

of M U S I C

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W E LCO M E Greetings from the Department of Music at Simpson College!

The Department of Music at Simpson College is widely recognized as a top-tier undergraduate music program with a long tradition of excellence. The department is a vibrant and integral part of the larger College and boasts large experiences and opportunities in the nurturing setting of a smaller campus.

The faculty members at Simpson College are nationally and internationally recognized in their fields of expertise. They are artist-teachers and remain actively engaged in their own musicianship and scholarship in addition to teaching.

They tirelessly provide students with an educational environment that is both demanding and supportive, and their success is affirmed by the countless graduates who have entered the music profession as school teachers, performers, conductors, college and university professors, composers, scholars, administrators, and private music teachers. We take great pride in the success of our graduates, and invite you to get to know more about the successes of this program of study.

I hope that you will review the information provided in this viewbook, and that you will consider applying for admission to Simpson College. Should you pursue the next phase of your formal musical education with us, we are confident that you will find your own Simpson Success Story.

Sincerely,

Dr. Timothy A. McMillin Chair, Department of Music

SIMPSON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

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WHO W E A R E W E A R E A D I S T I N C T I V E LY STUDENT-CENTERED MUSIC D E P A R T M E N T T H AT B E L I E V E S S T R O N G LY I N T H E C R E AT I V E A N D I N T E L L E C T U A L G ROW T H O F E V E R Y S T U D E N T.

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WE ARE COMMITTED TO

SERVING:

• Students choosing to major in music • Students majoring in other academic areas but who enjoy participation in the department

PASSION

• 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.

EXCI TEME N T

CAREER

MUSICIANSHIP

PRO GRA M S OFFE RE D

BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN

EDUCATION Music Education at Simpson College is a degree program which provides students with unique opportunities to pursue a career in teaching music. Here students can secure a traditional foundation of the knowledge needed to teach students of all ages, as they develop their own skills in musicianship and performance. Simpson students find a variety of learning experiences available in a metropolitan community, where they may choose schools of a larger or more intimate nature for their field experiences and student teaching semester.

Because we recognize the need for our students to value and advance current trends in music education and music advocacy, our long-standing Workshops in Music Education Series hosts national and internationally recognized clinicians to the campus once each semester, for our students and teachers across the state and neighboring communities.

In addition, Simpson hosts numerous instrumental and choral contests and clinics that provide our secondary music education students marvelous networking experiences with secondary and collegiate directors in the teaching profession.

All of this, coupled with faculty members who are dedicated to students as they pursue their K-12 instrumental and vocal certification in music education, provides a distinctive environment and curriculum for our students to discover success at Simpson College.

All of the professors at Simpson gave me tools to become a confident music educator through reallife experiences in and out of the classroom. They had a genuine interest in me from day one, and their constant influence and suppor t got me to where I am today. Ever yone at Simpson — students, faculty, even alumni — has something to offer.”

Educat e.

SONYA NIELSEN SCHIPHOFF Vocal Instructor, School District based in Odebolt, IA

SIMPSON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

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BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN

PERFORMANCE The Bachelor of Music in Performance from Simpson College is a specialized undergraduate degree that prepares students for successful graduate work. Beginning with the core studies in music, the performance major leads to advanced studies in music history, music theory, and performance. This course of study culminates in two degree recitals with accompanying academic papers. The music faculty at Simpson strives to make the student’s academic work and performance experience one of balance and integration.

For several decades, Simpson has had great success in the performance area, with nearly 100% of our graduates securing admission to Masters’ programs all over the country. An impressively high number of our alumni are working performers, with more than two-thirds of our BM-Performance degree graduates working as professional musicians.

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I can safely say that I would not have had the same number of career oppor tunities had I not been educated at Simpson College. I would have been lost at a state school, or a conser vator y with graduate students taking all the performing oppor tunities. The music depar tment went above and beyond the call of duty to prepare and stage professional-level productions. That tradition thrives today, as new faculty and staff reinvigorate the high level of ar tistr y that has existed already for decades.�

Perform.

JOHN MICHAEL MOORE Baritone, Metropolitan Opera

SIMPSON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

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BACHELOR OF ARTS IN

MUSIC

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in music is a 128-credit degree in which the number of courses in music is less than in the professionally-oriented Bachelor of Music degree, thereby making more hours available for non-music courses. The degree does, however, require a well-rounded set of courses that will leave the student with excellent musical understanding and performance skills. In addition, the student has the freedom to pursue a secondary area of interest, which might form the basis of a specific kind of professional training. Most students pursuing a double major (music and another field) choose the BA degree.

Students who earned the BA degree in music at Simpson College have enjoyed employment as administrators with arts organizations, attended graduate school to earn MBA degrees, attended graduate school in music, become private music teachers, and numerous other options. The BA allows the greatest amount of curricular flexibility.

MUSIC MINOR The Minor in Music is open to all students at Simpson College who wish to broaden their experience in music in a formal program. A basic understanding of music and an area of performing expertise are required to be successful in the program. The Music Minor is a combination of performing opportunities, applied music study, music theory, aural skills, and music history.

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E

Experience.

I wish ever y talented young student might have the quality experience I had at Simpson.

Simpson was a great beginning for me and continues to be for others.�

GAYLETHA NICHOLS Director, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions

SIMPSON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

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FACILITIE S

The Amy Robertson Music Center (1983) and the Salsbury Wing (1997) house the Music Department, providing the department with 12 faculty teaching studios, a departmental office connected to the chair’s office, a 200-seat recital hall, choral and instrumental rehearsal rooms, a music classroom, and 22 practice rooms. In addition, the basement of Smith Chapel provides three faculty studios, a dedicated percussion practice room, the Kinney-Lindstrom Music Listening Library/Midi-lab, and two classrooms specially equipped for music classes.

Outside of ARMC, the Salsbury Wing and the basement of Smith Chapel, the Music Department enjoys a number of specialized spaces on campus for performance venues.

These include the College’s Smith Chapel, the Great Hall, Pote Theatre, Barnum Studio Theatre, and the Principal Black Box Theatre in the Kent Campus Center.

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L E KBER G H AL L is the department’s main recital facility. It houses 2 grand pianos, lighting and sound systems, and seats more than 200 audience members.

T HE G R EAT H AL L

boasts a BĂśsendorfer Imperial Grand Piano and a Knabe Concert Grand. Many faculty and guest recitals are held in the Great Hall as well as Jazz Ensemble concerts, Band concerts, the bi-annual Madrigal Christmas Dinner, some student senior recitals, and numerous student organization events. The Great Hall can accommodate as many as 350 audience members.

S MI T H CH AP EL

contains a 1968 5-rank Reuter Organ which was rebuilt in 1999 utilizing the addition of computer technology. An Orga-plex switching system and multi-level computer memory, and the inclusion of MIDI has greatly increased the instrument’s capabilities. There is also a horizontally mounted State Trumpet installed at the rear of the Chapel. The Chapel is used for organ lessons, organ concerts and recitals, choral concerts, oratorio performances, and the annual Service of Lessons and Carols. It seats 350 people.

The main stage of the P OT E T H EAT R E in the Blank Performing Arts Center houses one of our two fully-staged opera productions every academic year. Pote Theatre is the performing home of the Des Moines Metro Opera. Students benefit from performing with orchestra in a purpose-built proscenium theatre, which features an unusual playing circle in front of the orchestra pit. Additionally, the Symphonic Band utilizes Pote Theatre once each semester to perform a band concert and hold a series of instrumental honor band days. The Pote Theatre seats 450.

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PERFORM A NC E OPPORTUN IT I E S

VOCAL ENSEMBLES

Students at Simpson have many vocal performing opportunities. Music performance majors, music education majors, students seeking a BA degree in music, and students majoring in other disciplines are eligible for all of Simpson’s excellent performing groups. A placement and minimum skills audition is required. Simpson was cited by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) as the recipient of an award for a program of vocal excellence. Please explore the Vocal Ensembles pages found here to find out more about each of Simpson’s exciting choral ensembles.

For more information or to schedule an audition, contact Dr. Timothy A. McMillin, Director of Choral Activities, 515-961-1578.

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Vocal

• CHAMBER SI NG E R S • MADR I GAL SI N GE R S • SI MPSO N CO LLE GE CHO I R • WO MEN’S CHOR ALE • SI MPSO N CO LLE GE O PER A / MU SI C AL T HEAT R E (two fully-staged productions a year)

SIMPSON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

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INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES We are a vibrant instrumental department that features a wide range of performance and educational opportunities. Recent high profile events include hosting the Region 3 North American Saxophone Alliance conference (March, 2011), Iowa Clarinet Day (April, 2011) and the 2014 Single Reed Symposium.

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Inst rument al • SYM PH ON I C B A ND • J A Z Z E N S E M B L E • O R CHE S T RA

• C H A M BER ENSEMBLES

(Woodwind quintet, saxophone quartet, percussion ensemble, jazz combo, brass quartet, and many more)

• P EP B A N D

SIMPSON COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

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FACULTY D R. RO N ALBR ECHT

DR . J O HN BENO I T

D R. DAVE C AMWELL

DR. VIRGINIA CROSKERY

D R. RO BERT LAR SEN

MAT T HEW LAU

Professor of Music Division Chair of Fine Arts piano / music theory

B RUC E B ROW N

Assistant Professor of Music voice

D R . M I K E E C K E RTY 18

Associate Professor of Music Director of Bands / bassoon

Associate Professor of Music saxophone / jazz studies

Professor Emeritus of Music opera / piano / vocal coaching

Professor of Music trombone / music theory

Associate Professor of Music voice

Assistant Professor of Music voice

BERNARD McDONALD

Assistant Professor of Music G. Dewey and M. Maine Larsen Chair in Opera

D R. TIM McMI LLI N

Department Chair of Music Associate Professor of Music Director of Choral Activities

DR . MI CHAEL PAT T ER SON Professor of Music music education / piano

LI NDA BENO I T, violin / viola D R . R E BE C C A G R U BE R , choral / voice

DR . KI MBER LY HELTO N, flute / piccolo

DENNI S HENDR I CKSO N , voice JA M ES POUL S E N Instructor of Music piano / music theory

D R. K IMBER LY RO BERT S Associate Professor of Music voice

All of the teachers that taught me helped shape me in some way, I think. The faculty were always willing to help and guide me in my development as a musician. They also provided good examples to follow through their own pursuit of excellence and the passion with which they taught.�

PAUL ZABORAC, touring jazz musician

JE F F JE N S E N , double bass

ST EVEN KENNEDY, guitar J AMI McLEO D, piano ST EVE McCO MBS, percussion JAY N U G E N T, music education

J I M OAT T S, trumpet SU SAN O DEM, oboe / English horn LO I S SELBY, piano MIC H A E L S H O RT, tuba / euphonium S A N D R A TAT G E , cello KA R IA N N VO IG T S , clarinet 19

FESTIVA LS & C AMPS

The Simpson College Department of Music offers six festivals during the school year and two summer music camps for school-age students. Each festival and camp offers a different experience to the young musician.

O R PHEU S SU MMER MU SI C C AM P Orpheus allows serious high school musicians to become immersed in incredible musical experiences for an entire week while utilizing the facilities and surroundings of the Simpson College campus. The camp’s staff is made up of Simpson College’s outstanding music faculty.

Exciting Music Opportunities Include: • Choral Ensembles – Choir, Madrigal Singers, Staged Choruses • Instrumental Chamber Ensembles • Fully Staged Operetta and Musical Theatre Workshop • Daily Private Lessons in up to two areas • Solo Recital Opportunity • Daily Classes in Music History and Music Theory

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J AZZ C O M B O C A M P

MI DDLE SCHO O L HO NO R B AND

J AZZ H ONOR B A ND

HI GH SCHO O L HO NO R B AND

This week-long summer camp provides an intensive experience for 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.

This event allows talented high school musicians between grades 10-12 to work with jazz professionals in an advanced setting.

Simpson College has hosted an honor band for 7th and 8th grade students for more than twenty years.

This festival allows students from many schools to come together and work with exciting guest conductors. Typically there are over fifty schools that participate. The event occurs in January and students perform in the newly renovated Pote Theatre in the Blank Performing Arts Center.

This honor band allows advanced students from numerous high schools to come together and work with great conductors.

H I G H S C H OOL H ONOR C H OIR

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

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AUD ITIO N R EQU IRE M E N T S Music at Simpson welcomes and encourages involvement in any of its performing opportunities by students who are majoring in music or other academic disciplines on campus. Whether you would like to be a music major or simply stay involved in the field of music, we welcome you!

For more information on the audition process, visit our webpage.

Simpson is a wonderful college and a wonderful community with a world-class fine ar ts and music program. The Simpson music experience is known throughout the Midwest as one of the top places.

It’s ver y elite to be at Simpson. It means something�

MIKE FISHER, Administrator, Waterloo Community Schools Former director of bands, West Marshall High School

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TAKE THE N E XT S T EP TOWA RD YO U R A PPLY Apply online at www.simpson.edu. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis beginning early fall and continuing on a space-available basis. There is no application fee.

Success

VIS IT There is no better way to learn about Simpson than to see it in person. There are multiple ways to visit campus.

Whether you are looking to spend only a few hours with us, or are hoping to have an overnight experience, we are committed to helping you get the most out of your visit experience. For more information visit us online at www.simpson.edu/admissions/visit-simpson.

To schedule a visit call 800-362-2454.

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DEPA RT ME NT O F MU S I C www. s i mp s o n . e d u