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.

Music Scholarships

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.

Discover More Performing Arts

The power of a double major

From uncertainty to confidence, Jessica McMartin shares how her Simpson experience transformed her: “I went from lacking confidence and needing help navigating college life to someone others can rely on.”

Jessica McMartin ’27

Professors who care

Both the music and education departments at Simpson are wonderful. They are full of professors who are always excited to help prepare students for future careers. The education department has helped me realize what skills are required to be a successful teacher while helping me to foster and grow those skills and traits in my personality

Tyler Johnson ’27

- Music Education Major

Explore Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Interested in the unique opportunities the department has to offer? See more opportunities and experiences that will shape your future at Simpson.

Simpson College Music Club

Simpson College Music Club is an organization created to enrich our community through music. Our primary events are:

Monthly Mini Musicals
- MMM’s are performances put on by students to bring modern musical theater to Simpson Campus. The show consists of 5-6 performers singing a solo/duet and one ensemble piece to tie everything together. This is the perfect event to get your foot in the door if you’re not experienced in musical theater but want to start.
Music and Mocktails
- This monthly event is put on to give everyone the opportunity to listen to an album, drink a fun drink that matches the vibe of the music, and talk with fellow musicians.
Senior Celebration
- The yearly event is put on in the spring to celebrate the graduating seniors who were active in Simpson’s music department. There is food, games, and stories shared about the graduates.

Simpson Theater Club

Simpson Theatre Club aims to create an environment for students interested in theatre to create, experience, and enjoy theatre.

Simpson Productions

Simpson Productions – the College’s theatre, opera and musical theatre collaboration – performs four faculty-directed productions and a festival of student-directed one-acts each year.

2026-27 Season