<p>my orchestra teacher has decided to change the schedule for his classes next year. this year, if you wanted to be in the highest orchestra (chamber) which is earlybird, then you "had" to do 1st period (sinfonia) the second highest orchestra as well. however, i managed to convince my teacher to let me do an extra math class instead of 2 orchestra periods. </p>
<p>for next year, he said I cannot be concertmaster (which I am now) if I don't take both orchestra classes next year. I wanted to skip 1st period again and take physics honors as a sophomore so that senior year I wont be struggling in AP Physics. I would already be taking chemistry honors though. </p>
<p>I don't know if being concertmaster or taking the extra science class is more important?</p>
<p>im currently a freshman if that helps.</p>
<p>I think that you should do what you think you ought to do. While doubling in science is great and all, if you really enjoy orchestra, you should do what you enjoy. High school is not about making yourself miserable for four years just to get into college or uni. High school is for your own self-development. </p>
<p>Pick your favorite.</p>
<p>What Quixila said is right, you should be focusing on whichever you find more interesting.</p>
<p>However, if you ARE looking through this in the lens of which is better for college apps, here is my recommendation:
- What is your potential major? If you plan on going into STEM, then taking additional science classes would beef up your app whereas being concertmaster does not. However, this may be different depending on the legitimacy of your orchestra (i.e. our school has a terrible orch program.) But if your orchestra is nationally/state recognized, then being concertmaster may help.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Think about whether or not being concertmaster is that big of an honor. As I mentioned before, being concertmaster at our school would mean nothing, so it really depends on where you go to school. If it’s nothing besides the name, then perhaps science is the way to go. </p></li>
<li><p>Do you participate in orchestral activities outside of school? i.e. private lessons, competitions, etc.? Because winning a competition would be more impressive than being concertmaster (there are some exceptions, but usually that’s the case.)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Ultimately, though, you should consider taking whichever one you would enjoy the most.
Hope this helps!</p>
<p>I am definitely not majoring in music, but science/medical instead. I think I will take the extra science class. Thank you so much for your input, it really helped!</p>
<p>Our school’s orchestra has the best program that is a part of a comprehensive high school. But then again I live in Vegas so it might look different in your eyes. It would be great to say that I was concertmaster all 4 years but I compete in non-school related competitions and I have won in the past. Thank you for your advice, I will be taking the science class.</p>