<p>Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a minor in Music, or any non-technical subject, at Mudd. Everyone is required to choose a “humanities concentration” (4 courses in one subject), but I don’t think that goes on the diploma. Here’s the list of majors and minors of graduating seniors for the last 8 years: [Majors/Minors</a> of Graduates](<a href=“http://www.hmc.edu/about/administrativeoffices/registrar1/registrarstats1/MajorsMinorsofGraduates.html]Majors/Minors”>http://www.hmc.edu/about/administrativeoffices/registrar1/registrarstats1/MajorsMinorsofGraduates.html)</p>
<p>As a Mudd music student, you’re actually more likely to be part of the Joint Music Program. Pomona has their own music department, but the other 4 colleges combine to make joint music (here’s info from Scripps…scroll down a little bit:[Scripps</a> College : Music Department](<a href=“http://www.scrippscollege.edu/academics/department/music/index.php]Scripps”>http://www.scrippscollege.edu/academics/department/music/index.php)). However, Mudd students are still allowed in the Pomona ensembles if they’d rather be those groups for some reason. I think most people who go to Pomona for music go there because of scheduling issues. The Joint Orchestra and Choir practices are closer, and I’m pretty sure that those ensembles are considered better than their Pomona counterparts (after all, they’re drawing from 4 schools instead of just 1). Pomona has the only Band, and it’s not very high quality (it’s the only non-audition group, as far as I’m aware), but it’s good for Mudder’s who don’t like to practice much. The other groups are pretty competitive, and to my half-trained ear, they sound amazing.</p>
<p>While the distribution requirements definitely are a limiting factor, they aren’t as bad as they used to be. The new “distribution” requirement is that students must take courses in 5 different academic subjects (out of 10 total required hums). So, 6 Music courses and 4 in some other subjects. And if you use your free electives on Music, you can fit in at least 1 more, probably 3 or so if you choose either math or physics by the end of your sophomore year and don’t take any more courses in the other subject. From there, you could overload and get the music major. It’s ridiculous and inadvisable, but not impossible (Prof. Yong did it when he was here! But Prof. Yong is also a genius…). Most people just get their music fix by playing in an ensemble or two and taking lessons (voice and piano mostly). Two of my closest friends probably spend 10 hours a week on music each, but neither will be getting any sort of official recognition. It’s about the passion, not the words on the diploma (after all, what are you going to do with a music minor???)</p>