I started playing violin about a year ago, and this year I got into the school’s orchestra. At this time of the year, the winter sports season just got started. All my friends are trying out for soccer, and I kinda liked it too. But the thing is once I am in the soccer team, I have to be committed and go to practice for two hours everyday. This means I wouldn’t have time to practice violin. I know doing a sport like soccer helps with confidence and time management, but my Orchestra teacher told me that if I keep practicing violin and do well, he will put me in honors orchestra and maybe even recommend me to for a music organization. I don’t think I can squeeze out time for both on top of the three APs I have. What should I do? Violin or soccer guys?
Which one do you like more?
I am not a big fan of soccer but I play it just for fun. I tried out for soccer only with the hope that the school will have a Junior Varsity team this year. For violin, I like it but do not love it because I am not able to play music as beautifully as others do.
Shoose whichever you have a passion for and that you will do for the rest of high school.
I would pick violin. You can always play soccer in your free time with friends at a local park or something. Staying in Orchestra would be a solid choice with the way your teacher sees your potential. Playing an instrument can help with time management and confidence too. Honestly, it’s whatever you would enjoy the most. If you think you would violin more, then do that. If you think that you would enjoy soccer more, then do that. The best part about ECs are that they aren’t binding commitments. If you try soccer for a while and don’t like it, you can always go back to violin and vice versa.
Depends on what you want for your future. If you want to be a professional athlete, I would do soccer, but if not do violin. Both can be a time suck but in my opinion violin a bit more flexible. Plus it is easier to get a music scholarship than a athletic scholarship
You most likely won’t become a professional soccer player but playing on a team can give you experience on how to thrive in a group setting and develop bonds with friends. I play three sports in high school and I’m close with a lot of people. It is the best choice I made to quit piano and pursue football, basketball, and baseball
If you are only doing one school sport, then I would stick with soccer and try to get a few minutes of violin practice each day and then get caught up on the weekend. Sports are good for you. Sounds like you have even more time in the fall and spring for violin.
How much time are you expected to practice violin at home every day? Does Orchestra take place during school hours? As Cheddarcheese MN suggests, I wonder if you could do both, with good time management, focusing more heavily on violin during non-soccer season. Everyone can benefit from exercise (especially in the winter!) and also some kind of artistic training IMO. Both music and sports are great for your brain, moods, and social life. Doing both would be almost impossible if you wanted to be a professional athlete or musician, but that does not seem to be the case here.
I played 3 Varsity sports a year and was in the marching/concert band and did well in HS taking AP, being 10th in the class and being the female scholar athlete. You will learn to be efficient with your time.