Should I quit band next year?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hello all,
At the risk of sounding like a typical CC-er, I wanted some advice on a class for next year (band, obviously). Here’s my story. I started trumpet in 4th grade, and I’m currently in 10th. I’ve gotten pretty good (I’m third chair in the 2nd best band of 4 in my 4800-person school, I got a gold at a state competition). I was unsure earlier on this year about the whole thing, so I decided to try upping my practice to an hour a day to see if ability level is what was making it not so much fun for me. I improved quite a bit, to the point where when I auditioned for next year, I made the top Wind Ensemble. I also really liked the pep band games, which were all pretty fun (I have one really good friend who I managed to hang out with).

That said, now trumpet (and band) is starting to feel more like a burden than something fun. I really don’t like practicing (the way I do guitar or even piano), plus trumpet isn’t something you can really ever stop worrying about (if you go a week without practicing, the first few days back are going to SUCK). I’m afraid that this will only get worse next year, as I’ve heard that the top ensemble is really quite intense. In addition, I’ve got a lot of other stuff going on. I also dabble in piano and classical guitar, languages, and writing, and I’ve had to push the languages and writing to the side to make space for trumpet (it’s an extra hour a day, which is really a lot), and quite frankly, it’s pretty exhausting to try and do it all. Lastly (and I’d say most importantly), trumpet doesn’t speak to me the way the other instruments do – piano for its beauty, and guitar for its versatility and relaxed flair (listen to Asturias and you’ll know what I mean). Trumpet just doesn’t do it for me.

Now why stay with it next year? Well, I’ve already gotten in the ensemble, and part of me would feel bad for quitting after I’ve got in (I mean, there’s so many other trumpets who would kill for my place). Plus, I have a few friends in band (although only one really good one), so it would be weird to lose that social aspect. As I said before, I also really liked the pep band games. There’s also the college question – would it look bad to quit after two years? My academic schedule is tough this year, and it’ll only be heavier next year (AP Capstone Seminar, APUSH, AP Calc, German 4 IB, AP Chem, AP Comp Sci, SRT (required study hall), and Band OR Music Theory), plus I’m hispanic (Iberian), I volunteer at an elementary school 2 hrs a week and I do all the aforementioned stuff, but I still worry. It’s not getting into Harvard that I’m so much worried about – I’d really like to get out of my state, and I can’t do that if I don’t get a scholarship, so I don’t to be closing any doors in that department. I also feel like it’d be a shame to lose all that time put into trumpet, but if I don’t like it…

I’m sorry for this wall of text, but I just wanted to get it all out there. What do you all think?
Thanks a bunch!

2

No. Don’t be the band quitter. No one likes the band quitter.

3

Stay with the band… and do not do stuff just because it looks good on the resume like volunteering unless you want to do so from your whole heart and soul.
Maybe you might want to play some different music… if not Jazz, then maybe Mariachi or Klezmer… you know… make things more upbeat… this might solve your trumpet problems.

Hope this helps

4

Ok clearly there’s some bias in the responses above.
I’ll acknowledge my bias before giving you my opinion. I was a former trumpet player (not too bad myself - first chair in my grade in a very good band program - but definitely no where near as good as you probably are). Toward the end of my freshman year, I was having very similar thoughts to what you are having. I decided to quit.
Once you quit, you realize how much time you have to pursue other interests. I have no regrets in quitting, even when friends tell me about how fun band is and whatnot. The extra time you get is worth it to me.
Indeed, it really comes down to: do you feel passionate about playing the trumpet? If yes, even with some bumps and struggles along the way, then you should stay. If you have doubts and would like to pursue other interests like I wanted to, quitting isn’t a bad idea.
Either way, don’t regret your decision.
Hope that helps!

5

Be the band quitter, like me. Study hall is much more useful for me. I’m not wasting my Friday night marching on the field, but that’s just my view. Band was very boring starting this year for me.

As @DigitalKing said, quitting isn’t a bad idea at all! I’m not going to practice 2 hours a night and have 3 checkoffs a week. I have more important stuff to do. Also, I have a mom who won’t stop whining and a loud trumpet and 8 at night didn’t help her moodiness.

I know some people look down on Study Hall/Free Period, but if you have a rigorous schedule it doesn’t hurt to have a period to chill, get ahead, review, or catch up. Got a 78 and 83 on my first two HA2 tests. Dropped band because HS Soccer season is busy, and I haven’t had to deal with that BS while dealing with other classes, and I’ve done significantly better in all subjects.

1 Like
6

Can you still be in the pep band, drop the Wind Ensemble, and only practice when you want to?

7

Thanks for all the responses everyone. I’m really leaning towards quitting, just because I want to get back into my languages and writing, and trumpet is just stressful (it’s too inconsistent when you have good and bad days). Unfortunately, pep band games are pretty much Ensemble only – but I only have one really good friend in band anyway. Idk if I’ll keep going with trumpet after – we’ll see, I guess.

Anyway, thanks a lot everyone! If anyone’s got more experience, feel free to share!

8

It’s okay, I’m exactly in the same position as you. I’m really involved in math and science and it is my true passion. When I joined HS 8th grade year (I am a freshman now) I was leaning towards quitting but peer pressure kept me in band. I ended up becoming the only freshman to make the top band. But taking band is probably the worst decision I’ve ever made. The rumors about marching band were true. I couldn’t commit to my academic extra-curriculars because of band. Unfortunately, band is not a side activity in HS like in middle school. I decided to quit after reconsideration. The passion is just gone.

If band is your life - if all your friends are in band, you spend most of your time in band, if you are a band geek, then stick with it.

But if it is something that is turning into more of a burden and you don’t consider yourself part of the “band family” but rather a piano player and guitar player, and that you don’t connect with the rest of the band, then I think you should quit.

Don’t let anyone else influence this decision. You need to think out through for yourself and follow your heart.

Best of luck!