<p>Does anyone know if a music minor is offered at olaf? I c/ not tell from the website.</p>
<p>I believe that they offer a double-degree program (BM music/BA something else) but not an official minor in music. You could always load up on music courses with whatever free electives are built into the major course of studies, though.</p>
<p>St. Olaf does not offer minors. (I've heard rumor that they might be starting to soon, but nothing concrete.) They have what they call "concentrations" in certain areas, for example, "historical perspectives," linguistics, biomedical studies, etc. And as far as taking music courses and being a non-major, it's generally not allowed, unfortunately. Most of the upper level music electives require first year Theory and Ear Training, which only music majors can take.</p>
<p>Thanks for pointing that out OleWannabe88. Looking through the catalog, I see very few classes that would be both interesting and available to someone who was sufficiently musically advanced to want to be a music minor. That's good to know. There do seem to be a handful of somewhat interesting classes without prerequisites that are given in the Interim session at the 200 level, but precious few during the Fall or Spring Semesters if you are not a major.</p>
<p>Is participation in the ensembles as heavily weighted toward music majors as the classes are, or is it pretty common for at least some ensembles to include non-majors?</p>
<p>thanks for the input. and --I have the exact same question as BassDad - to what extent are there real opportunities for non music majors to participate in ensembles at olaf. I am speaking specifically of a violinist. For example, I know that there are two orchestras. What are the differences between the two? How many non music majors are in each?</p>
<p>OleWannabe88 I also have a question about the choir. Do you now if freshman can ever audition/be part of the group or are they only allowed to be in viking chorus or manitou singers?</p>
<p>My D says freshmen can't be in the major choir. She has applied for a vocal music major and visited there for 2 days hosted by the music dept in late Oct.</p>
<p>It's actually very possible for non-majors to participate in ensembles here. I think something like 40% of the St. Olaf Band is non majors, and it's similar for the St. Olaf Band and Orchestra, and probably even higher in the lower ensembles.
Deloar is right about the choirs as well. Freshmen can only be in Viking (guys) or Manitou (women).</p>
<p>OleWannabe is right. I was looking at the majors of all the students in the orchestra and many of them are non-music majors. However, it does depend on the instrument. I was looking at the band and I found that more of the flutes, clarinets, and saxes were music majors than the others... this is likely because they are very popular. </p>
<p>There's also a band that does not require audition to play in. So you can have an ensemble to play with and sharpen up your skills with while you audition for the real band.</p>
<p>On another note, did anyone else watch the St. Olaf choir and orchestra performance on tv? They were fantastic!</p>
<p>We saw it. Kept wondering if we would be looking for our daughter among the choirs next year. :-)</p>
<p>what channel carried the olaf xmas thang?</p>
<p>It was a PBS special. See Christmas</a> at St. Olaf Our channel carried it and it was very enjoyable.</p>
<p>Deloar,
I was fortunate to have the experience of watching my son perform in the Christmas Festival this year, and it is truly wonderful. He is a first-year and is extremely happy with his choice of college. I hope you get to do it next year-- I'm hoping for 3 more years (fingers crossed).</p>