So I just entered High School and I’m currently learning 2 instruments (Piano and Violin). I’ve been playing piano since the seventh grade and the violin since I was in second grade. I love the piano and I’ve improved so much, while as for the violin, I’m still at the beginner level. I recently told my mom I wanted to quit playing the violin, but she refused and told me it was good for my college application in the future.
Is that really true?
Additional information: I want to go to an Art college
Piano would not give you much involvement in school while violin would get you in the orchestra. School orchestra will show your commitment, fulfill art credit requirement, and can lead to leadership position and EC opportunities. On the other hand, many students particularly Asians have piano lessons since 4 or 5 year old. You know Asians are ORM especially for top schools. Nevertheless, if you are really talented in Piano and can receive state level award in competition, it will definitely help you application. Otherwise, it would be just an EC with not much weight.
@Conforist1688 That is not true. Second grade is 8yr old. Most of the students in our school district pick an instrument (or vocal) in 5th grade as a requirement. Both my Ds started viola in 5th grade because of that while they started piano at 5. They both made into the highest level of orchestra in high school and that high school has one of the strongest music programs in the country with multiple Grammy Award over the years. By the way, they both received state level awards in their string quartets and chamber music groups too.
You should not be playing an instrument you don’t like and your mother is wrong. No college will be impressed with a beginner-level violinist who has been playing since the age of 8. I agree with @Conformist1688 . Drop violin, and focus on piano, which you love. @billcsho , why would OP even want to join orchestra if she isn’t particularly good on violin and doesn’t like it? OP should absolutely focus on piano and any other ECs she really enjoys. Art schools want to see what you produce as an artist, and will consider your other interests, but they aren’t going to give a monkeys about casual violin practice.
Why not get involved in some recitals? Maybe offer to play at a retirement home, hospital, or primary school. You can find out what festivals your high school participates in. For example, in New York, there is an annual adjudication festival which is state-wide and open to all. (It’s called NYSSMA, if you want to look it up.) There may be something similar in your state.
For sure, one needs to have interest in the instrument to play well. If there is a preference for OP, he/she should choose one over the other. I am saying between piano and violin, the latter gives much more opportunities. To have interest and to be doing well in it are not the same although it may be related. Obviously those stay in entry level orchestra have interest in it but not doing so well.
I absolutely not agree with @Conformist1688 that OP is not good enough for any orchestra. It is more about willingness, not ability.
Playing violin at a beginner level when you started in second grade is not going to get you into a college. IMO the only way it makes sense to continue the violin is if you get involved play in you school in the orchestra (maybe play second violin), in the pit band for shows etc. Maybe you will enjoy playing more in a group setting and it will be seen as an EC. Piano is fine but I would consider ways you turn the piano into an EC activity – maybe enter competitions, play at local nursing home etc.