<p>I'm still in my early stages of high school, and one big decision I have to make is whether or not to join the community orchestra. I played the bass back in middle school and because of my leadership qualities in music, I had a great advantage when applying to prep school. But now that I'm in a smaller school, there's no string orchestra, and so I'd rather join the community orchestra--</p>
<p>and hopefully from there, I'll try to get the highest positions, and graduate to the state orchestra?</p>
<p>Music is something that I'm good at, but not something that I'd like to have all my focus on. So would it be a waste of time to do it?</p>
<p>^ Agree. If it’s something you’ll have fun doing, and if it’s something that you like, and makes you happy, by all means do it! If you find it just doesn’t work for you then respectfully drop it. At least give it a shot.</p>
<p>If the orchestra is sub-par, it could be bad for your sense of pitch. Also, if you don’t feel like you’d gain as much from the experience as you would individual practice, I would just spend the time practicing. However, playing with an orchestra does improve your playing in ways that individual practice doesn’t.</p>
<p>I would join if I were you, I’m also in the early stages of High School and I joined a community orchestra in 8th grade and my orchestra recently won a national award</p>
<p>I don’t think that there is any bad that can come out of it - even if the orchestra is sub-par for your skills that means less practicing for the orchestra and a higher chair (and the faster you can get to the state orchestra)</p>