Undergraduate
Music
Combining your love of music with another field of interest gives you the best of both worlds.
Music major and minor
As a music major, you will take well-rounded courses that will provide you with excellent musical understanding and performance skills.
In addition, you are free to pursue a secondary area of interest, which might form the basis of a specific kind of professional training. A bachelor’s degree would be your best choice if you want to pursue a double major (music and another field). A bachelor’s degree in music allows for the greatest curricular flexibility.
You will take foundational courses in music, as you will see in these sample classes, and you will be required to participate in two ensembles. Additionally, you can explore different academic areas that interest you, including business management, theatre, communication, and religion, to name a few.
A music minor allows students who are passionate about music and want to keep it a part of their lives to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a different field. To pursue a music minor, you must obtain six ensemble credits.
View major course requirements
View minor course requirements
Why Simpson College for Music?

Take Advantage of Music Scholarship Opportunities
Whether you intend to build your degree around music or simply want to perform in an ensemble, Simpson offers a robust scholarship program for students from all majors interested in continuing musical pursuits throughout college.

What Can You Do With a Music Major?
Students who earn a 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, Music Therapist, Producer, Artist, Road Manager, Composer. and numerous other options.
Find Your Voice at Simpson and Beyond

Music makes you appreciate everything it gives you, and in turn makes you a better person.
Eric Mathis '20
Vocal performance major Eric Mathis endured setbacks early in his college career to become a leading performer and get into grad school
Eric Mathis ’20Need assistance? Contact us!
- tamme.klutman@simpson.edu
- 515-961-1637
- Amy Robertson Music Center
- Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Meet Our Faculty

Flint Angeroth Franks
- Assistant Professor of Music

Jon Arnold
- Director of Choral Studies
- Director of Master of Music in Choral Conducting
- Assistant Professor of Music

John Benoit
- Professor of Music
- Trombone and Music Theory

Linda Benoit
- Music Teaching Artist
- Violin/Viola

Kathryn Duffy
- Adjunct Music Professor

Mike Eckerty
- Division Head for Visual and Performing Arts
- Director of Instrumental Ensembles/Bassoon
- Professor of Music

Donald Evans
- Department Chair of Music
- Professor of Psychology

Kimberly Helton
- Music Teaching Artist
- Flute

Steven Kennedy
- Music Teaching Artist
- Guitar

Tamme Klutman
- Administrative Assistant

Matthew Lau
- Associate Professor of Music - Voice

Jami McLeod
- Music Teaching Artist
- Piano

Steve McCombs
- Music Teaching Artist
- Percussion

Phil Peters
- Music Teaching Artist
- Double Bass

Damon Stevens
- Assistant Professor of Music

Susan Odem
- Music Teaching Artist
- Oboe

Jin Young Park
- Music Staff Accompanist
- Music Teaching Artist- Piano

Dan Peichl
- Music Teaching Artist
- Horn

Jamie Poulsen
- Assistant Professor of Music
- Classical and Jazz Piano
- Composer

Dana Sloter
- Music Teaching Artist
- Clarinet

Sandy Tatge
- Music Teaching Artist
- Cello