Band Schedule Conflict

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hi, I have a conflict regarding my schedule if whether I should continue band or not. (Marching included) Please read all the pros and cons before making your final judgement. (this is my first post lol sorry if it's too long)</p>

<p>Current Schedule (11th grade)
AP US History
AP Physics 1 (debating whether to change into AP Chemistry, but it is considered the most intense class at our school)
AP English
AP Psychology
AP Calculus AB
Medical Academy (this class is considered "verryyyyy easy" at my school and it's required in my academy)
Medical Academy Heath Terminology (Dual Enrollment in school) (This class is also considered "easy" but not required) </p>

<p>Should Band be included? (symphonic which includes marching band) Only 7 classes allowed</p>

<p>My previous year (10th grade) consisted of AP Biology, Pre-Calculus, AP World History, Band, Chemistry Honors (required prior to AP Chemistry), English Honors, Medical. AP Human Geography and Spanish 2 were taken online. </p>

<p>The marching band program at our school is highly regarded as one of the best in the country and we take our program very seriously (and demanding) (BOA Marching Band finalist) :D However, it takes up an an abundant amount of time (that sometimes I enjoy) and money.</p>

<p>Pros:
Social Life (of course not really necessary, but it has created a tight knit group of friends for me)
Music effect on education
Brings my focus and my "attention" (lol pun) to other places than AP classes (medical does this too)
5th year playing currently ( will be my sixth)
Life lessons</p>

<p>Cons:
Costs $1200 each student annually (marching with symphonic. Yes this is the real price and no, I did not put an extra zero. It does seems too high and I find myself in envy of other band costs. We are a "serious" BOA band finalist, but I know of other BOA (Bands of America) bands that do not cost this much.)
5-6 day practices a week. (4 hours for 4 school days ending at 9pm every night and 9-12 hour practices on Saturdays/summer for four 1/2 weeks)
Becoming overly tired to finish homework/study and sleep deprived during school
Have been told it is not going to benefit as much as wiping out college credits (dual enrollment and my own vacation conflicts with summer band camp)
Not encouraged from my house anymore after this year
This year I received my first, official B in high school. (I saw it coming lol but I did not expect to get two) I've been told it was due to conflicting schedules in band from multiple people. </p>

<p>I enjoy band myself, but I have to admit that it's a little too much for me at times. My freshman year was a different kind of story with band not being as conflicting. I don't want to lose my tight knit of friends, but I've been told there are many other things to put my focus on during my junior year. </p>

<p>So what is your opinion? (Any kind of constructive criticism is accepted) Sorry for my endearingly, long novel :D</p>

2

<p>Honestly, I’d stick with band. take out AP psych (that seems like the only thing that can really be removed) and you can fit it in. Colleges prefer dedication in your ECs</p>

3

<p>Well, look at the sheer list of cons…
I quit band after this year (our band is good too). Not regretting it yet.</p>

4

<p>Once the EC goes over 20 hours a week, my advice is dump it.</p>

5

<p>But do you enjoy band? Really? On balance?</p>

<p>If you do, drop psych and maybe that medical terminology class and stay in band. </p>

<p>If you drop band, what are you going to do with yourself? Where will you make new friends? </p>

6

<p>Thanks for the replies everyone. I’m still debating on what to choose, but what’s your opinion on AP Physics 1 vs AP Chemistry? The class for AP Chemistry has a really challenging teacher and class at our school with a good pass rate, but I heard AP Physics 1 has an easier curriculum with the new exam. (which has an okay teacher though) I didn’t take physics honors, but I took chemistry honors. </p>

7

<p>Do what you really want to do. What is your gut feeling?
I was an all state clarinet player for 7th,8th, and 9th grade, and I would have been for the rest of my high school career. But between scheduling conflicts, my dislike of the band director and the fact that even a 100 in the class brought my GPA down, I decided to quit it. And honestly, I have not regretted it. If you really love playing, you will play on your own, and you can always find bands and competitions to audition for if that is something you wanted. It would add a bunch of good EC’s that show that you were dedicated.</p>