<p>My son (will gradutate HS next year) is considering Harvey Mudd. He's v. high-achieving and into science and math in a big way. However, he has also been playing saxophone for years and has 4 years in concert band, jazz band, community band, pep band, etc. He has no plans (or ability) for making profession out of music, but would like to be able to continue to play in some sort of band. </p>
<p>Is there much/any opportunity for band participation at HMC? Or maybe at one of the other Claremont colleges? All I can find is a concert orchestra--and sax isn't an orchestra intrument. There does seem to be a jazz improv class taught--which sounds good!--but no mention of any bands.</p>
<p>Sure, there are a bunch of opportunities to play music.</p>
<p>There's a concert band at Pomona, which I know some people are involved in. Also, there are lessons for some instruments at Pomona. I don't know if they teach saxophone, or even if your son would need it, but it's something to look at.</p>
<p>There are orchestras at Scripps and Pomona, but of course, that's not for saxophone.</p>
<p>The Jazz Improv class is taught regularly at HMC by one of the CS professors, Professor Keller.</p>
<p>And of course, he can always start or join a student group. :)</p>
<p>I do know that there is a student jazz ensemble that performs around campus sometimes (I enjoyed them, although I didn't hear them enough to say much about quality). These <em>could</em> have been performances by the jazz improv class, though.</p>
<p>My son is at CMC. He signed up for sax lessons last semester (and got the loan of a free instrument) through Pomona. His best friend at Pitzer is a music major taking classes at Pomona and HMC. To me the HMC music classes look the most intriguing. Ensembles at the 5C's are open to all. See the paragraph below from the Pomona website:</p>
<p>"Pomona College's musical ensembles, which draw their membership from all the Claremont Colleges and the local community, present concerts of high caliber each semester. They are open to all qualified students regardless of major. The list currently includes the College Choir, Glee Club, Pomona College Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Pomona College Gospel Choir, Balinese Gamelan, and various chamber groups. A second non-Western music ensemble changes its emphasis from year to year, and its focus has included West African drumming and dance, Flamenco guitar and percussion, North Indian tabla, and Hindustani music. Music students benefit from superb concert halls and practice facilities, a variety of pipe organs, and a collection of string and wind instruments."</p>