Andrew Hinrichs is majoring in Equine Industries and also pursuing the Music Minor.  During the 2001-2002 school year, Andrew was the general chairperson of the Annual Equine Extravaganza.  He is an expert horseman and he has much experience raising and training the Norwegian Fjord breed of horse.  Along with improving his own skills at performing, he is also working with a class piano section to learn more about teaching beginning to intermediate piano lessons.  Good piano teachers can easily earn $15-$20 per hour on a part-time or full-time basis.

Brenda Lunke is majoring in Accounting and also pursuing the Music Minor.  Like Andrew, she is an outstanding student and musically gifted.  Brenda came to UMC with a lot of experience playing organ in various churches, and continues to advance her keyboard abilities during her college years.   Brenda is aware of the acute shortage of church organists and realizes that her abilities can be of great service in local church congregations as well as providing a part-time income.

Joshua Kietzman has finished his 2-year degree in Hotel and Restaurant management and is currently finishing his courses required to complete the music minor.  Josh is a fine trumpet player and plays in the band.  For the first time, Josh is also singing in the choir and taking instrumental and choral conducting.  A major project for him will be co-conducting a major choir work this semester with another student who is also pursuing the music minor.  Josh, who is the son of a Lutheran minister, is interested in church music.

All students who pursue the minor work with the director of music and theater to develop a plan of musical accomplishment and ensure that they are able to complete the requirements while also completing the requirements for their major field of study.  Many students feel that they have the ability to accomplish “more” during their college career by completing a minor along with their major, and the minor in music is a logical choice for those students who have the ability to complete it because it can offer some part-time employment opportunities along with being an enjoyable secondary field of study.