Title: Emeritus Professor of Music and Theatre
Company: Iowa State University
Location: Ames, Iowa, United States
Donald R. Simonson, DM, Emeritus Professor of Music and Theatre at Iowa State University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in Music Education.
Dr. Simonson’s distinguished career in music and education is marked by decades of dedicated service, leadership and mentorship. Now recognized as an emeritus professor of music and theatre at Iowa State University, he retired after nearly 40 years of service, beginning in 1978. Throughout his career on campus, Dr. Simonson taught students ranging from aspiring choral directors and public school teachers to those preparing for professional singing careers. He also prepared students for auditions with opera companies and musical theatre groups, emphasizing the development of healthy, efficient vocal techniques that enabled them to project their voices in concert halls and over orchestras without amplification.
In addition to classroom instruction, Dr. Simonson directed opera studio productions and music theatre performances, conducting approximately 20 different productions with multiple performances each. His repertoire included works by Gilbert and Sullivan, such as “The Pirates of Penzance,” as well as Stephen Sondheim’s musicals and Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” each presenting unique technical and emotional challenges for both the conductor and the performers.
During his final four years on the Iowa campus, Dr. Simonson served as the chair of the department of music and theatre, guiding the program through significant growth and innovation. Throughout his tenure, his expertise centered on voice as his principal instrument, with a teaching portfolio that included lyric diction in English, German, French and Italian, as well as voice pedagogy, focusing on healthy vocal production in classical Western singing.
Dr. Simonson’s educational philosophy at Iowa State University encouraged students to develop characterizations in familiar musical forms, often in English, before progressing to operatic works in foreign languages. This approach ensured that students could effectively convey their characters before tackling more complex genres. In addition to his tenure at Iowa State University, Dr. Simonson briefly served as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, during the 1988 to 1989 academic year.
In preparation for his future, Dr. Simonson studied at Drake University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1974, a second bachelor’s degree in music in 1975 and a master’s degree in music in 1976. A pivotal fellowship allowed him to study in Europe after completing his master’s degree, revitalizing his career as a performer and broadening his artistic perspective. Dr. Simonson continued his studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, earning a Doctor of Music in voice and opera in 1987. He attributes much of his success to mentorship from teachers, family members and colleagues who generously shared their knowledge and insights into singing and teaching.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Simonson has maintained active involvement in professional organizations, including the National Arts Association of the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, the Pi Kappa Lambda International Honor Society for Music, the National Opera Association, the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the American Academy of Teachers of Singing. His induction into the American Academy stands as a significant honor. Additionally, Dr. Simonson has held prominent leadership roles, including president of the National Association of Teachers, and has chaired the American Academy of Teachers of Singing.
Dr. Simonson’s commitment to excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including a Signature Sinfonian Award from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and an Orpheus Award in 2020. He was also acknowledged with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Crediting his supportive parents and siblings for shaping his development, Dr. Simonson takes pride in seeing his former students serve their communities as educators, conductors and choral musicians, some of whom have even performed opera worldwide. His legacy is defined by unwavering dedication to education, mentorship and professional service, qualities that have left an indelible mark on countless students and colleagues throughout his distinguished career.
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