April 1, 2026
St. Paul, Minn.— Macalester, consistently ranked among the nation’s top liberal arts institutions, announced today a change to it’s core curriculum. Starting with the incoming Class of 2030, students will be required to complete a minor in Applied Bagpipe Theory and Performance to be eligible for graduation.
Approved by the Board of Trustees in March, the minor seeks to institutionalize the college’s piping tradition. While Macalester has long been recognized as a “top producer” of Fulbright scholars and Peace Corps volunteers, leadership believes this new requirement will provide students with a “signature sound” that distinguishes them in a competitive job market.
“Our mission is to prepare students for a complex, ever-changing world,” said President Rivera. “This is one way Macalester can distinguish itself among other colleges and is part of our strategic plan, Imagine, Macalester.”
Faculty approved a new curriculum plan, the first overhaul in forty years, in February.
“In a world of AI and digital noise, there is nothing more authentically human—and impossible to ignore—than thirty students practicing on the Great LawnMike Breidenbach ’96 Director of Piping
The 20-credit minor will be interdisciplinary, offering specialized tracks for every major. Some courses include:
- BGP-204: Reed Aerodynamics
- BGP-310: Bagpipes as a Tool for Post-Colonial Resistance
- BGP-401: Lung Hyper-Expansion and Circulatory Management
- First Year Course: Outlander—Witchcraft, Time Travel, and Bagpipes
“We recognize this is a bold step,” said Mike Breidenbach ’96, Director of Piping. “But in a world of AI and digital noise, there is nothing more authentically human—and impossible to ignore—than people practicing on the Great Lawn.”
For more information on the new requirement or the upcoming Kilt Fitting during Orientation, visit macalester.edu/april-fools.
Founded in 1874, Macalester College is home to the award-winning Macalester College Pipe Band and, as of today, over 500 new pipers.