<p>I am a freshman this year, and I used to really love band in middle school. I was told Band would become amazing in high school, but this is far from the truth. I am now miserable in Band class. The teachers are very demanding, asking for hundreds of dollars for a "fair share" fee. They say it benefits us, even though it is a very well known fact that all the money just goes to the highest band. We also have weekly playing tests, that are very hard. No one does well on them except for the people who just practice all week. Today I have a final, that is, literally all of the tests we took before in a row. They make us go to countless event after event, forcing to do "Extended Learning Opportunities" which basically make us go out, find some band above the high school level, and write an essay on them. It's very demanding and I have no time. I am miserable in this class. None of my friends are in this class as well, making it a bigger drag. I have little time to take care of studying for my AP Biology and HUGs classes. This is also detracting from my pleasurable time in Debate Club. </p>
<p>Can I drop out of band next year? Will this hurt my college admission chances? Thanks in advance. </p>
<p>Hi BananaCreamDream!</p>
<p>Are we the same person?! Your situation literally describes my predicament last year. I was extremely into band in middle school, and I loved it so much. I was extremely excited for HS band, as, just like you, I was told it would “fabulous”, “the best experience of my life” and stuff like that. However, where I live it is required to do marching band if you want to be in the highest band. This is no small endeavor at my school–the marching band camp is a grueling 50+ hours a week for four weeks in August and is equivalent to the time commitment of a fall sport. Since I do A LOT of extracurriculars (debate is one of them!) and take challenging classes, I knew I could not participate, also added to the fact that during the summers where I live it’s usually around 100 degrees and humid. So I didn’t do it.</p>
<p>Well, I was placed in the second band, and, although the band director was great, I did feel like a second-class citizen. Everything revolved around the marching band and symphonic band, which I knew I had the potential, but not time, to be in. I was really upset that my experience for something that was so dear to my heart was turning out so badly. People ridiculed me for not doing marching band and I was not challenged at all by the music. Our band program usually raises over $100,000 annually to pay for stuff, and all band members were expected to devote entire weekends to fundraising, even when I think my band never reaped any of the benefits. The band program was so intense that, when I had a time conflict for the district assessment in the second band because of regional science fair (which is very hard to qualify to), the band program threatened to fail me if I didn’t show up. I was able to fit everything into a day, but this just represents how intense the program is. </p>
<p>I’m a native speaker of German and, despite attending German School every Saturday since Kindergarten, I’d never taken German at school. I contemplated taking AP German as an “easy” AP to add to my sophomore year in lieu of band (my other elective is French). At first I shunned this option, but then I realized that this could be a good plan. I though a lot about it and eventually decided to enroll. It was difficult leaving the band program, but I think it was for the best. I had to drop something close to my heart, something I would have never dreamt of doing in Middle School, but that’s the way life is. You slowly drop activities and narrow in on what interests you the most. If you’re not enjoying band, don’t do it! Colleges will recognize that you had a change in heart, it’s a natural process in life. </p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Dang. I’m in band and do Band ECs, but they’re so not demanding at all…</p>
<p>That’s how fine arts are at most schools with strong programs; music is a substantial commitment if you want to be good. If you’re not enjoying it and aren’t going to put in the effort to make the experience an enriching one, then drop it. Simple. I play in one of the best high school music ensembles in my state (TX) and very few things bother me, or my friends and conductors, more than someone who shows up to rehearsal unprepared and not caring about the music.</p>
<p>Just drop it. If you don’t have time to study for other classes and end up with subpar grades - I think that’s going to hurt you more.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your input! I have been considering band for a while now, and recently finding out about AP Physics going to be split into two years is what really is going to drive me over the edge. My band is a nationally ranked band, but that’s the problem. I love the music, but attending weekly basketball and football games as well as taking weekly tests is too much for my feeble freshman mind. The only people who push Music looking good for college are the band teachers themselves, so I don’t think it should have a huge effect on anything. Being a second class citizen is not a huge issue for me since all of my friends are not in band. In my school, most everyone understands it is a cult type atmosphere. The only thing I have to worry about is the Band Directors shunning me, which I know is a problem a our school. But, it’s not like I care!</p>