<p>I can’t speak specifically about the Organ, that generally is a pretty small discipline, most music schools seem to have only a handful of organ students (on the other hand, probably not a lot of kids go into that, either). For the organ, it would be the same as any other instrument, dedicated , serious practice, finding a good teacher, finding performance opportunities, getting to learn the instrument and its repertoire, music theory and ear training, all will work to your advantage. I would say if you choose the organ, work at it assuming that it is going to be extremely competitive, that there are many kids better then you, and work from that position. Stretch for the highest levels you can, let your teacher know you are seriously thinking about going into music, ask him/her for advice, ask others if you have contact with them. </p>
<p>If you end up choosing piano, know how competitive it is and what is out there. With some instruments you can choose to get serious ‘later’ and do okay, from what I can tell, but with the piano it is important to realize how tough it is and that sooner is better then later. I am not trying to scare you from going into music, only telling you that it is no myth about how competitive it is out there, especially on piano. </p>
<p>Whatever you choose to go into in the end, if music or something else, you are in a good position IMO because you aren’t locked into anything at the stage you are at. I think one of the most valuable things about Interlochen or other relatively ‘serious’ music programs, or dedicating yourself to serious study (long practice sessions, etc) is that it can help tell you the ultimate answer, whether you really want to do this. Keep in mind that as hard as you may be working now, it probably is only a foreshadow of what it will be like if you do pursue music, the work it will take to get your audition ready for music school, the work in music school, the work afterwords to try and get gigs or establish a career…if the work this early on seems like too much, if you find your love of music doesn’t go that far, it may be a sign you shouldn’t head that way. If on the other hand you wake up eager for more, that could be a sign, too, that maybe you do have what it takes. </p>
<p>The nice part, again, is doing it where you are, you are giving yourself the ability to see relatively early if this is what you want to do as a vocation/avocation. I have known a number of kids who decided later on, well past Sophomore year, that they wanted to get serious, and it was much harder on them; I also have known kids who decided to get serious later on, found out it wasn’t what they wanted, and then had to face the uphill trial to figure out what to do…</p>
<p>On top of all that, I would recommend going to music performances, orchestral, chamber, solo, and see what it takes to get out there and play. What makes the difference between a great performance and a so so one? Why does one performance put you to sleep, and another inspire you? What makes for a great solo performer?</p>
<p>A wise man, who chose not to go into music, said something like “if after experiencing music, really getting into it, you wake up in the morning and think “boy, this is the greatest thing going”, even after facing the long hours of (boring) practice, the sometimes unkind cut of critics or teachers, the grind, the competition”, then it probably is for you. If you think “I like music, but you know, this is also interesting, that is also interesting” you may want to think about getting out of it as a vocation…</p>
<p>My last point, whatever you do, don’t think like the world revolves on you getting everything right from this point forward. You are young enough that little you can do will be the end of the world (much as it might seem like it at times) and if you make a misstep chances are it is but a small deviation. One of the things that saddens me about these times is this irrational fear that making a mistake, not doing ‘the right thing’ (whatever the heck that is) or somehow slipping or falling at times is a major disaster, and I see this anxiety in kids in middle school. One of the big things about life is finding your way, and it isn’t a linear process that gets broken the minute a mistake is made or something doesn’t work out. I worked for a company once where the COO went to Juilliard, got a BM and MM, then decided it wasn’t for him; others go the other way.</p>