<p>Hi everyone. Right now i'm a freashman. I play the violin in orchestra in school right now, and I like playing but I'm not very good. However if I keep doing orchestra throughout high school I won't be able to take other APs. My point is, should I keep doing orchestra and take courses over the summer or quit?
Thanks</p>
<p>Decide where you see yourself in 5 years. Will you be in a music program, or are you planning on doing a completely different (non-music related) major? If music is not your future, it may not be worth it to continue taking up valuable spots in your schedule to play the violin, considering that it may jeopardize your chances in the college admission process (assuming that you qualify for AP courses and would enroll in them if you decide not to take orchestra any longer). You could always take violin lessons outside of school at some sort of music school if you really wanted to.</p>
<p>Hmm ok, thanks!</p>
<p>I currently play the piano. I spend a good 5 hours every week on the piano. I don’t think I’m going to be a professional pianist, but I continue to play the piano because I like it. You should do stuff because you like it. And, my mom was in the same situation as you. She chose to take summer courses and play in her school’s orchestra. She wound up at UC Berkley.</p>
<p>I’m currently a senior in high school and have been taking orchestra every single year of high school. Although I’m certainly not of concert master ability, I primarily choose to continue playing because I like my violin. I know I won’t be playing once enter college I. The fall so I thought I’d spend as much time with my instrument as possible. I had the same dilemma my freshman year. I consistently placed at the end on the second violins. Now I’m a first violin and will certainly miss playing in college.</p>
<p>I took summer gym so that I could have more room in my schedule for AP and IB courses and still take orchestra. I’ve also been told playing in orchestra shows commitment to colleges, but if you really don’t like it then don’t do it anymore.</p>
<p>I’m a band kid. I play clarinet.</p>
<p>I do NOT see music in my future at all. I might end up doing marching band at my college next year, because everyone who participates gets a scholarship and I really just don’t want to put down my clarinet for good, but I will in no way make that a career for myself.</p>
<p>I’ve continued with band and not taken many classes because I enjoy it. I’m not amazing at it. I’m okay. But I have a lot of fun and LOVE hanging out with the band kids. Band is the one period in the day where I can go and kind of relax and just have fun.</p>
<p>I recommend staying in Orchestra. Band has given me a lot of opportunities over the years and its given me a lot of friends and a lot of great memories.</p>
<p>Don’t do it from the college admissions standpoint. Colleges will enjoy the fact that you chose to study music for a solid four years if you actually care about it. Orchestra won’t hinder you in the slightest.</p>
<p>I had the same problem as you, except in band. Freshman year, I really sucked at the trumpet, but after having band for three years and playing nearly every day, I am now the principal first trumpet. And band is so much more fun when you know how to play the music. Although band took up one space on my schedule, I have taken five AP classes and will be taking 3 next year. Trust me, if you love playing music, stay in the orchestra; you will get much better and will come to cherish the class. If you still have doubts, find a private teacher and join a local orchestra (this is what I did; I also play violin outside of school and love it). Please, if you love music, do not let classes affect you; I see many talents wasted just to see them end up in Community College. I hope that my suggestions help you make a decision.</p>
<p>BTW, It will only stop you from taking one or two AP courses a year (depending on how your school schedules things). That’s really not that many.</p>
<p>I’ve done band all four years and have still managed to take six AP courses. Two last year (AP Music Theory =D and AP US History) and four this year (AP English Lit, AP European History, AP French, and AP Stats).</p>