So, I want to know if quitting band during my Senior year (specifically early November which is when football ends) would destroy my chances of getting good scholarships (I already got admitted into TAMU so i’m not worried about college admissions). Let’s start with the background on my reasons why I want to quit. 1: My band isn’t successful. (not saying where) My freshman year we placed 7th in Area Finals (the top 5 go to state) which was the best we’ve done in a long time. COVID happened, and my junior year (fall of 2021) we got our a$$es kicked and didn’t make the finals of any competitions. 2: The directors. The directors have favorites, which was not me because I moved to this school the summer before my Freshman year. I am one of those students that hate students that kiss up to adults to get what they want (which is the vast majority of the band), and I also don’t have a filter so I’m not afraid to argue with the directors (yeah I know I shouldn’t do that…) plus the directors are EXTREMELY traditional which is why we lose because we can’t get with the times and do a show that actually has a chance of winning and advancing to state. 3: also the students. I pretty much have problems with everybody in my section except for my section leader (he’s a sophomore and I’m a senior so yeah it’s weird). He’s the only one that I trust in the band to vent to about everyone else in the band. He’s like a little brother to me. I have a few more friends in the band, but I see them outside of school a lot so it won’t be a big deal if I leave band. Back to the students, they are MEAN. I came from the “poor school” to the “rich kid school”, so the first thing they did was pick on the “poor kid”. 4: I just don’t like band. Band is just not my thing anymore. Yeah it was fun to do my marimba solo at state and travel to competitions and football games, but I don’t want to do that anymore. 5: my section. My section has no respect for me. I try my best to be a good leader and build up our section, but they choose to ignore me and I don’t want to deal with the rest of these kids
So that was why. I got accepted TAMU (psychology major!) so I’m not worried about still getting into college without band on me application. However, I want to get the Terry Scholarship (I have a lot of other extra curriculars which I hope can make up for no band)
If you don’t enjoy it, there’s no reason to continue.
I can’t imagine any scholarship being dependent on participation in past-season band, other than a local band boosters scholarship. And I suspect that’s not something you’re expecting.
As far as impacting an institutional scholarship from TAMU, it seems unlikely that quitting band would have any effect. You would need to notify TAMU that the senior coursework you submitted when applying has changed, but dropping won’t move the dial for them.
If I were your parent, though, I am not sure how I would advise you. Your reasons, to me, sound like this: 1. I can’t get along with my bandmates; 2. I can’t get along with my directors; 3. I have a short temper and impulse control, and I can’t be certain to hold my tongue; 4. I already got to enjoy the fun part, but it’s over and I don’t want to the less glamorous part.
So, if what you are describing is bullying, I hope you quit and your family notifies the administration and the problems are addressed — not just for you, but for other students, as what you are describing sounds systemic.
If, instead, after you do some reflection, you decide that isn’t the case, I hope you reconsider. You may benefit from maturing through learning perseverance and tolerance. I would never want someone to go back into a situation where he is being emotionally abused, but I can’t judge whether or not that’s the case here.
Is band a class? You wouldn’t need to notify them if you drop an EC, but if band is a class and quitting band means dropping a class then you would have to notify them. If it is a class, can you drop it in the middle of term? That wouldn’t have been allowed at my kids school.
One of mine left band in senior year but has spent the following 12 years on music. There can be many legitimate reasons to leave high school band and I would encourage you to do so.
If it is a class, not an EC, let the colleges know of the change.
Are you still able to drop a class? What would you do instead in that time frame?
I get and agree with all the advice. My section leader and I plan to alert school administration and the band directors of the bullying soon. My parents said that me quitting is up to me, and they’ll and understand and support me if I quit or stay. Older friends/mentors want me to quit. Yes, band is a class so yeah that would screw up my schedule (again). I have a passion for music so that’s why I joined band originally in 6th Grade. I play guitar outside of band so I’ll continue that, and maybe i’ll get a drum set because percussion is really fun! (i’m a percussionist by the way i play snare during marching season) . In real life, I’m not just going to quit a job because I don’t like the boss or a coworker. But this is legitimate bullying and has affected my mental health. It’s not safe for people to be in an environment like that. So it sucks because I like music but that passion has been damaged because I don’t want to go to band everyday to be bullied. I still have a little over month until marching is over, so I still have some time to make that decision. Thank you all for the advice, and I will be taking into all into account when I make that decision
You are being very mature and self aware. Your parents are appropriately allowing you to make the decision because they trust your judgement. Make the decision that works for you and don’t look back!!
If your mental health is affected, you should absolutely not continue…even through marching band.
I was only in marching band one year in high school, but it was the most bullying and hazing I had ever witnessed in my life. It wasn’t what you describe — it was more a continuation of traditions that should have fallen by the wayside long ago — but it was part of the culture. If you plan to stay for the month, please consider discussing your concerns with the administration now. A month is a long time for anyone, especially a teenager, to experience emotional distress.
Thank you all for the great advice, I’m going to take all of it into account. I have a month until I have to tell my directors that I’ll be leaving, so I’ll be talking to my parents and my few trusted friends in the band. This has helped me a lot thank you.
