<p>I looked into this recently, as Rice is on my D’s list. She plays two instruments seriously, but does not want to go to go to a conservatory. However, she would like to have music as a significant extracurricular (EC) in college.</p>
<p>Here is a good blog post from a few years ago, written by a student for the admissions blog:
<a href=“Log In ‹ Future Rice Owls — WordPress”>Log In ‹ Future Rice Owls — WordPress;
<p>There are various threads on college confidential that cover different aspects of this topic, but from what I understand there is no music minor at Rice. Non-music majors can take a variety of classes designed for non-music majors through the Shepard School. Also, for an additional fee, non-music majors can continue take lessons for their instrument of choice and get course credit.</p>
<p>There seem to be numerous musical opportunities at Rice for non-Shepard School students - various orchestras, bands, and ensembles. There are even smaller ensembles through the residential colleges (presumably if there is a critical mass of students who want to make music together and take the initiative to organize something). There are several musicals a year that need musicians to perform the music, and I also read that there are music clubs that help put together ensembles of interested students and even serve as a clearinghouse for musical job opportunities on campus (playing for events and receptions and such). I could not locate the thread that contains this info, but I remember reading it.</p>
<p>I found this thread to be interesting, from 2011 - <a href=“Music for non-majors - Rice University - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/rice-university/1113481-music-for-non-majors.html</a></p>
<p>I think most schools of Rice’s caliber will have a significant student population that focused on music as their main EC in high school, and want to continue to perform at a high standard even if they are not majoring in music. </p>