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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>