Dr. Walter Simonsen
Dr. Walter Simonsen directs Athletic Bands and Jazz Studies at Mt. San Antonio College, leading the Mountie
Marching Band, athletic bands, and jazz ensembles. Since joining, he has built the
marching program, composed the college fight song and school spirit music, and recruited
and mentored a diverse roster of student musicians.
An accomplished educator, conductor, composer, and arranger, Dr. Simonsen has over
two decades of experience in marching arts, jazz education, and performance. Before
joining Mt. SAC, he served as Assistant Director of the USC Trojan Marching Band for
ten years and has designed over 100 shows for schools and drum corps. He taught the
Colburn Jazz Workshop Big Band, where his students and ensembles earned multiple DownBeat Student Music Awards. His mentorship has produced national award-winning student
composers and arrangers.
Dr. Simonsen is an active performer and recording artist with several albums released
through his Red Light Brass Band and as leader of Trumpetology. His arrangements appear
on This Is Trumpetology and have featured on more than a dozen large ensemble recordings.
He has guest-cliniced and conducted at UCLA, the University of North Texas, USC, and
many schools.
Dr. Simonsen holds degrees in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas (B.M.)
and the University of Southern California (M.M., D.M.A.). He is dedicated to excellence,
community, and innovation throughout the Mt. SAC music program.
