Settle an argument- playing an instrument appealing for college entrance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It means nothing unless you truly excel.

+1 it's just like anything else. Anyone can take lessons for ten years, but that just shows the family has resources to pay not that a child is dedicated or even happy playing it.

Nobody takes lessons for ten years to be mediocre or just along for the ride, and I come from a family of musicians, am one myself, and know a bunch of music teachers. Any teacher worth their salt is going to let you ride unrpductively.

*Not going to let you ride*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It means nothing unless you truly excel.

+1 it's just like anything else. Anyone can take lessons for ten years, but that just shows the family has resources to pay not that a child is dedicated or even happy playing it.

Nobody takes lessons for ten years to be mediocre or just along for the ride, and I come from a family of musicians, am one myself, and know a bunch of music teachers. Any teacher worth their salt is going to let you ride unrpductively.

Hmm... no, it can happen. I've seen it happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did your husband benefit from white privilege? He sounds dumb.

OP never specified that her husband was White. She only indicated that she was Asian. Her husband could be any race. Is it the "top executive" that made you think he was White? And he very well could be White, but it's interesting that you immediately jumped to that conclusion.

And don't call people dumb, it's not nice. How would you like it if someone called you dumb?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did your husband benefit from white privilege? He sounds dumb.

OP never specified that her husband was White. She only indicated that she was Asian. Her husband could be any race. Is it the "top executive" that made you think he was White? And he very well could be White, but it's interesting that you immediately jumped to that conclusion.

And don't call people dumb, it's not nice. How would you like it if someone called you dumb?

NP

Not a ton of Asian American guys play football. And not a ton of Asian American women marry black guys. So... DH is probably a white guy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m Asian I say yes, it’s important; my husband says it doesn’t matter. He went to a mediocre public school, didn’t play an instrument, he did play football in high school. DH was a heavy partier in college but is now a high level executive. I tell him times are different and now everything counts; a commitment to an instrument shows perseverance, diligence, and accomplishment. He says blah, not vital; a person can BS they played an instrument...

A commitment to any extracurricular can show perseverance, diligence and accomplishment. Those are the important factors, can be a sport, an instrument, some other extracurricular, or even a job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m Asian I say yes, it’s important; my husband says it doesn’t matter. He went to a mediocre public school, didn’t play an instrument, he did play football in high school. DH was a heavy partier in college but is now a high level executive. I tell him times are different and now everything counts; a commitment to an instrument shows perseverance, diligence, and accomplishment. He says blah, not vital; a person can BS they played an instrument...

A commitment to any extracurricular can show perseverance, diligence and accomplishment. Those are the important factors, can be a sport, an instrument, some other extracurricular, or even a job.

+100

I don't think playing an instrument is a hook, but indeed it is a positive on list of extracurriculars...especially if one plays and takes lessons through high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you, OP. A long time playing an instrument shows commitment, roundedness, and a bit of culturedness. By itself it’s not much unless super-talented, but as part of a package it’s an enhancement.

Tell us more why you’re arguing about this. Does your child want to quit and you don’t want him to?

Yes, DC wants to quit; Since I bought the instrument and paid for the lessons this year, I advised her that she had to play for the rest of the school year- finish Elementary school. I hate fighting, I think I’ll give up this battle. I know she won’t be playing in college never mind high school.

Mom of high school junior still playing piano and taking lessons. OP, I went through this. DS wanted to quit in elementary school...multiple times...and I prevented it. I am so glad I did, because now he is a wonderful pianist (not accomplished, but good enough to impress people). He now seems to enjoy playing because he advanced enough to play just about anything. Now he is playing in high school theater productions...another big plus for his resume. Don't let people make you think it means nothing...it means ALOT because a very small percentage of college applicants play an instrument through high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you, OP. A long time playing an instrument shows commitment, roundedness, and a bit of culturedness. By itself it’s not much unless super-talented, but as part of a package it’s an enhancement.

Tell us more why you’re arguing about this. Does your child want to quit and you don’t want him to?

Yes, DC wants to quit; Since I bought the instrument and paid for the lessons this year, I advised her that she had to play for the rest of the school year- finish Elementary school. I hate fighting, I think I’ll give up this battle. I know she won’t be playing in college never mind high school.

Mom of high school junior still playing piano and taking lessons. OP, I went through this. DS wanted to quit in elementary school...multiple times...and I prevented it. I am so glad I did, because now he is a wonderful pianist (not accomplished, but good enough to impress people). He now seems to enjoy playing because he advanced enough to play just about anything. Now he is playing in high school theater productions...another big plus for his resume. Don't let people make you think it means nothing...it means ALOT because a very small percentage of college applicants play an instrument through high school.

No, it really doesn't unless the child is winning prominent competitions and even then it is nowhere near an athletic or URM hook.

[Anonymous]

Probably depends upon what schools your child is going to apply to. In our case, DD is an excellent jazz trombone player, playing in the small ensembe in her high school. She is applying to large state schools, and I think the only thing that matters is GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you, OP. A long time playing an instrument shows commitment, roundedness, and a bit of culturedness. By itself it’s not much unless super-talented, but as part of a package it’s an enhancement.

Tell us more why you’re arguing about this. Does your child want to quit and you don’t want him to?

Yes, DC wants to quit; Since I bought the instrument and paid for the lessons this year, I advised her that she had to play for the rest of the school year- finish Elementary school. I hate fighting, I think I’ll give up this battle. I know she won’t be playing in college never mind high school.

Mom of high school junior still playing piano and taking lessons. OP, I went through this. DS wanted to quit in elementary school...multiple times...and I prevented it. I am so glad I did, because now he is a wonderful pianist (not accomplished, but good enough to impress people). He now seems to enjoy playing because he advanced enough to play just about anything. Now he is playing in high school theater productions...another big plus for his resume. Don't let people make you think it means nothing...it means ALOT because a very small percentage of college applicants play an instrument through high school.

No, it really doesn't unless the child is winning prominent competitions and even then it is nowhere near an athletic or URM hook.

I am sorry, but you are wrong! Yes an applicant with winning prominent competitions is going to stand out. But a kid who shows commitment will make an impression over a kid who may have only played for a few years. It is all relative. Plus my kid has a lot of other things going for him...like a 35 ACT score and 4.2 GPA in a prestigious private among other very impressive extracurriculars. It's the whole package.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you, OP. A long time playing an instrument shows commitment, roundedness, and a bit of culturedness. By itself it’s not much unless super-talented, but as part of a package it’s an enhancement.

Tell us more why you’re arguing about this. Does your child want to quit and you don’t want him to?

Yes, DC wants to quit; Since I bought the instrument and paid for the lessons this year, I advised her that she had to play for the rest of the school year- finish Elementary school. I hate fighting, I think I’ll give up this battle. I know she won’t be playing in college never mind high school.

Mom of high school junior still playing piano and taking lessons. OP, I went through this. DS wanted to quit in elementary school...multiple times...and I prevented it. I am so glad I did, because now he is a wonderful pianist (not accomplished, but good enough to impress people). He now seems to enjoy playing because he advanced enough to play just about anything. Now he is playing in high school theater productions...another big plus for his resume. Don't let people make you think it means nothing...it means ALOT because a very small percentage of college applicants play an instrument through high school.

No, it really doesn't unless the child is winning prominent competitions and even then it is nowhere near an athletic or URM hook.

I am sorry, but you are wrong! Yes an applicant with winning prominent competitions is going to stand out. But a kid who shows commitment will make an impression over a kid who may have only played for a few years. It is all relative. Plus my kid has a lot of other things going for him...like a 35 ACT score and 4.2 GPA in a prestigious private among other very impressive extracurriculars. It's the whole package.

Correct.

[Anonymous]

I think it helps if it makes up for NOT having athletics or another extra curricular. My son was never a real athlete but has played an instrument since 4th grade, and switched to a band instrument in 8th. He would have been on band 9-12 and music is the only thing he’s passionate about, but not enough to try for district or state band.

If for college he can only say he went to class (and made A-B) that would look boring. He can now at least mention something else to help him look somewhat balanced. He won’t even mention the first instrument, although he dabbles with that (piano) still.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it helps if it makes up for NOT having athletics or another extra curricular. My son was never a real athlete but has played an instrument since 4th grade, and switched to a band instrument in 8th. He would have been on band 9-12 and music is the only thing he’s passionate about, but not enough to try for district or state band.

If for college he can only say he went to class (and made A-B) that would look boring. He can now at least mention something else to help him look somewhat balanced. He won’t even mention the first instrument, although he dabbles with that (piano) still.

I am the PP whose DS played piano through high school. He was not a big athlete, although he did play freshman and JV sports. Now his focus is on his other non athletic pursuits. I think being well rounded is important, although many would argue that is not what colleges are looking for anymore. It's unfortunate because there are a lot of great kids like my son who have impeccable academic record, but not a superstar in any one big thing. I still think he has an excellent chance of getting into his top 20 first choice school.

[Anonymous]

But only if your kid likes it and is motivated. Forcing a presumably very young child into music for college entrance in some 10 years seems absurd. I personally think the best a parent can do with regard to extra curricular activities is the expose and sign your kid up for a bunch of things and find out what that kid likes and commits to. An instrument is a good option, so are sports, chess, boy scouts, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m with you, OP. A long time playing an instrument shows commitment, roundedness, and a bit of culturedness. By itself it’s not much unless super-talented, but as part of a package it’s an enhancement.

Tell us more why you’re arguing about this. Does your child want to quit and you don’t want him to?

Yes, DC wants to quit; Since I bought the instrument and paid for the lessons this year, I advised her that she had to play for the rest of the school year- finish Elementary school. I hate fighting, I think I’ll give up this battle. I know she won’t be playing in college never mind high school.

I think it is worth having her finish out the year just from a character building perspective.

Playing an instrument is not that important for college unless you are amazing. Perhaps there are some benefits for the brain for playing an instrument?