<p>I am a junior in hs, and I want to pursue a music ed or performance undergrad degree, with the eventual goal to get my graduate degree in orchesetral conducting. I play the violin. </p>
<p>I am working on pretty tough repertoire, Barber violin concerto, Kreutzer, etc. I am also involved in TaeKwon do, which takes an hour out of my day on Mondays and either Wednesdays or Fridays. I maintain a pretty rigorous schedule of two AP classes and the rest honors. </p>
<p>I wanted to quit martial arts, but my dad pretty much said no. The thing is, I feel I should be practicing at least an hour everday if I should be even close to getting my repertoire up to level. But between homework and TaeKwon Do, I don't really have the time during the week.</p>
<p>What do I do? Do I stay involved in it just to make it look good on college apps? My music teacher told my class that yes, it's good to do many things, but some people just do many things just to say they were there. I just want more practice time. What were your experiences with your children?</p>
<p>Many parents allow their high school students to choose their own extra-curricular activities. Can your violin teacher offer any “reasons” why TaeKwon DO might be detrimental to your playing? Good luck!</p>
<p>Michael, lorelei2702 offers good advice, and many pursuing music at a high level do keep a non musical outlet open, and they may even need it as a release or place to retreat to.</p>
<p>I’ve never been one to suggest just doing an EC for a resume or app value. </p>
<p>You may need to devote more time to practice and audition prep down the road. Consider what your private instructor advises. As the dad of a professional string player, an hour a day going into college auditions may really not be enough. It’s lower than what you would see in general on this forum, especially for strings. </p>
<p>Often how you practice is as or more important than how long you practice.</p>
<p>Does your Dad support your music major? If he does not it could be the root of the issue. If he does not oppose it, then he needs to hear from someone else how much time it will take for you to be successful. Perhaps your teacher could have a separate meeting with him to talk about the plans for the coming year. DD’s voice teacher did that with me about this time in her junior year. He wanted to make sure we understood what it took to get her where she needed to be to be successful and that he thought she could get there.</p>
<p>I’m a “little bit” in favor of forced athletics for musicians. A physically healthy body and a greatly honed sense of discipline are assets to a musician. It is too easy to give up all physical activity in favor of practicing, but that isn’t healthy. Would it help you at all if you consider some of this time as “practicing” in the sense that it helps your musicianship and endurance?</p>
<p>If you think your dad can be persuaded one way or another - by getting a teacher to intervene, or by considering a compromise (going to fewer classes?), or simply by wearing him down with your arguments, then sure, go for it.</p>
<p>But if he is immovable, then perhaps it is a waste of time (time you don’t have) to argue, and it would be better to find other time somewhere. I’m brainstorming here, but:</p>
<p>*Ask your teachers for homework assignments ahead of time so you can do them on weekends.
*See if there is time during the school day that can be appropriated for homework or practicing. (My S was able to convince his band director to let him go in a back room and practice during class the weeks leading up to his auditions.)
*Get off the phone, computer, video games - whatever other time wasters you might have. Social life might have to disappear for awhile (or combined with other activities - study groups, martial arts).
*Make sure your practice is efficient - talk with your teacher about how to make the most of it. My D’s violin teacher had this talk with her - how to progress when your schedule is packed. It was very helpful.</p>