<p>I would love to be able to double major in something like Aerospace Engineering and Music Theory or Conducting, but I'm at a loss as to colleges that would offer that. I know that many would have both as options, but are there any that are very strong in both subjects? I am very science and math oriented, but I love music as well. I don't have any SAT scores or anything yet, but I'm a strong student (AP's and all) and I expect to do well. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>You might want to take a look at Purdue, U of Illinois-UC, and Michigan, especially if you plan on going into an Aerospace Engineering career and using Music Theory as an enrichment.</p>
<p>Firstly, I know of only one conducting BM undergrad degree, and it’s either through Manhattan or Mannes, both conservatory, audition based programs. Conducting is normally a masters or doctoral pursuit. Theory is found at any number of programs, from audition based, conservatory, conservatory level programs to non audition small liberal arts colleges.</p>
<p>Mixing a performance and science discipline is extremely difficult. Both are credit intensive majors, requiring both ensemble classes and lab classes. There are often conflicting time constraints arranging schedules, as while there may be flexibility in lab and class times, there is usually only one option for ensemble/orchestral/other ipo requirements. </p>
<p>Those that combine a science and performance curriculum usually need 5 (sometimes more) years to fulfill all requirements. Factor in the additional costs.</p>
<p>I’d suggest looking here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/6280-suggestions-colleges-music-majors.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/6280-suggestions-colleges-music-majors.html</a> and some of the other threads on the music major forum. There are a few threads with questions combining math/science disciplines with music.</p>
<p>One option is to concentrate on the engineering, potentially minoring in music. Another is a general or specific music BA, not BM. The BM has fewer music requirements, thus a bit more fat in the scheduling possibilities. There are however normally ipo requirements in the BA as well.</p>
<p>Of the top of my head, schools with strong and respected science and music schools are Rice/(Shepherd), Hopkins/(Peabody), Carnegie-Mellon and potentially Case Western. MIT also has an extremely well respected music department in the academic areas, and some conservatory level instrumentalists among the student body.</p>
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<p>This should read “The BA has fewer music requirements…”</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon is a good one. So is Johns Hopkins. </p>
<p>Also look at maybe URochester? I’m not sure on this one, so don’t quote me, but I think they have good music programs as well as engineering?</p>
<p>The URochester/Eastman double major can be tough, due to logistical issues between the two campuses. Same to be said of the Tufts/NEC combo.</p>
<p>MIT has a joint BS program in Humanities/Music and Engineering. The Music Dept. is headed by Pulitzer Prize winning composer John Harbison, and lots of Harvard students go to MIT to take music theory from him. And I expect there are student conducting opportunities there as well.</p>
<p>This sounds very challenging. I don’t know the specifics of either field, but in the 1995 NRC rankings of faculty quality, the only schools to rank in the top 10 in both music and aerospace engineering were Michigan and Princeton. New NRC rankings are due out in the fall.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! I’ve actually been looking at MIT quite a bit lately and I was thinking about aiming for that even before. I knew they had a music program, but I didn’t know how well respected it was in relation to other schools, esepcially those that have primarily math and science based reputations. </p>
<p>Johns Hopkins is a new one; the only thing I know about it is that it is very well oriented for premed, but that’s it. I will definitely look into this one more. I don’t know much about Carnegie-Mellon at all. Ok, I don’t know much about any of these places, but that’s why I’m here. </p>
<p>Would it be easier and/or more beneficial for me to major in engineering and minor in music? Are there programs at these places that specialize in double majors between science and humanities? What should I look for in a program like that?</p>
<p>[MIT</a> Music Academic Programs](<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/mta/www/music/academic/joint.html]MIT”>http://web.mit.edu/mta/www/music/academic/joint.html)</p>
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<p>To answer your first question, you have to ask yourself what you want to do. Are you passionate about music, or wish to pursue a secure, science based career. Perhaps you don’t know. I suggest reading the excellent articles here [Peabody</a> Institute - Conservatory Admissions: The Double Degree Dilemma](<a href=“http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/doubledegree]Peabody”>http://www.peabody.jhu.edu/doubledegree) at the Peabody (Hopkins) site. Perhaps it may help your perspective.</p>
<p>Part of the issue with two intense pursuits is that one tends to fall to the wayside. My son was a double major (as opposed to dual degree) in performance and music ed, at a top flight conservatory level institution that supported double majors and had a number of recommended pairings in place. He choose to drop the ed at the eleventh hour to pursue performance, his true passion. </p>
<p>Some institutions will support dual degrees, some pay lip service, some don’t want anything to do with it. Music theory and some aspects of conducting or composition can be pursued as a minor, or even a BA in conjunction with a science, as they are less credit intensive than a performance BM. A minor, and in many cases a BA will have far less particpatory ensemble requirements than a BM; instrumental/vocal requirements will be far more minimal. </p>
<p>At the right school, any combo becomes possible. Not everyone beginning
the path completes the journey. </p>
<p>If you are pursuing music as learning experience, or for the sheer enjoyment, then my guess is a minor would be sufficient. If however, you want to potentially consider music as a vocation, then you have to look long and hard as to the path you want to take. </p>
<p>Most of the schools mentioned so far all have respected music departments (Purdue does not offer a music major and is normally not on a list for serious music pursuit). Rice and Hopkins have conservatory level programs, with plenty of opportunities for non majors or non conservatory students. </p>
<p>Again, I suggest looking for some of the science/math & music combo threads at the music major forum.</p>