<p>My daughter’s voice teacher recommended we look at Simpson College for vocal performance (opera) because of his experience with the school through Des Moines Opera. Des Moines Opera was founded by Dr. Robert Larsen, who located it on the campus of Simpson College (Indianola, IA, 15 miles from Des Moines). Dr. Larsen teaches at Simpson College and still directs the Des Moines Opera. Many singers own aria books compiled by Dr. Larsen (and he plays the piano on the accompaniment CDs for these books). My daughter’s teacher has sung many performances with Des Moines Opera and has worked closely with Dr. Larsen and the vocal staff at Simpson. He thinks highly of all the people connected with DMO and Simpson.</p>
<p>We visited Simpson this week and my daughter auditioned for a vocal scholarship. The entire music department came for her audition, not just the vocal staff. When her audition was over, the entire staff participated in a short interview. (And we were allowed to be in her audition and took part in the short interview.) After the audition, WE had an interview with Dr. Larsen in his office. Then a student took us to lunch (complimentary of Simpson) and talked with us over lunch, another student took us on a tour of the campus (including getting to see a dorm room being lived in), and then we had an interview with an admissions counselor. My daughter also received a free Simpson t-shirt. Talk about special treatment!!!</p>
<p>Everyone was so very nice and encouraging. Many of the music staff stopped and had conversations with us in the hallways and the office. I feel it was an indication of the indvidual attention the students receive there. The music class sizes are 10 - 14 per class. (Good thing for theory class!!!) The school is small, about the size of your average high school.</p>
<p>ALL students receive private piano lessons, not piano class. There are no graduate voice students, so undergrads are not competing (and losing) for roles against graduates. The semesters are 4-4-1 (4 months in the fall, 4 months in the spring, and 1 special month at the end of the year). The 1 month is used for special classes and opportunities. Every other year the 1 month is used for an intensive opera workshop where 50 - 60 scenes are staged/performed. And on the other year, the madrigal choir goes on tour to Europe (this year they’re going to Paris or Brussels, I think). </p>
<p>When we spoke to the admissions counselor, she told us that about 30 music students receive music scholarships every year. We were told that if we were trying to decide between Simpson and another school and money was playing a part in deciding against Simpson, to give them a call and give them an opportunity to find more money. When my daugher auditioned for Hart, we were told in the orientation NOT to call them and try to negotiate for a better scholarship as they will NOT enter into negotiations. </p>
<p>On the negative, Simpson is such a small school that it is not a conservatory or even a school of music. It is simply a music department. BUT, all of Simpson College is made up of departments, not colleges or schools, because the college is so small. On the positive, you do not have to audition to be accepted to the music department. She was actually accepted to the college before going to the audition. The audition was merely for a scholarship. That did not factor at all in her decision to apply (we only found that out afterwards). When she received her admissions letter (before going for the scholarship audition), they told her that she already has an academic scholarship to start off with (25% of the tuition). </p>
<p>My daughter has auditioned for 3 schools (has 2 more to go) and is totally sold on Simpson. The other schools are more presitigious schools, but we really feel Simpson is the best kept secret. We are so impressed with the staff and the quality of students (the accomplishments they have made in their careers following Simpson). The opportunity to work with Dr. Larsen on such an intimate level is impressive just by itself.</p>