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

[Anonymous]

Marching bands offer scholarships for in-demand instruments.

[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.

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?

See bold. Speaking here about kids who do NOT plan to major in their instrument: How the instrument affects admissions depends entirely on what the college is, what the student is doing, and not necessarily on the student being "amazing." Yes, colleges ooh and ah over someone who has won awards and been in all the competitive extracurricular orchestras or bands etc. even if that person's not a music major. But my DD's HS orchestra director, who should know, says there is also value to colleges in seeing that a student stuck with an instrument for years and through high school, even if that student isn't getting awards in competitions.

She also notes that, even if a kid does not plan to major in music, if a kid plays a relatively unusual instrument that college orchestras might need, that can help sway a college a bit. Good double bass player going for a double bass music major at a music college? Very competitive. Good double bass player going for a biology degree at a smaller college without a huge music program but with a strong college orchestra? If that player stresses that he or she would love to commit to play bass while studying bio there, yeah, that can help with admissions. It won't negate poor scores or poor grades, but it could help a bit.

[Anonymous]

Depends on what the college wants.

Know 2 French horn players who went to Yale. Okay students.

From our prep school, multiple musicians recruited to IVY for orchestra.

[Anonymous]

Less popular instruments if the kid will definitely play in college, even as a non-major help more than the violin.

[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...

So THAT's how you become a high level executive. No wonder I've been doing wrong.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's necessary. But however the brain mechanism trains to learn music, it also assists in acquiring math skills. So while your kid may never be a concert violinist, he/she could end up better at Math. Never had my kids do musical instruments, the talent just isn't there-- they are great athletes and that is where I invest my energy and money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But my DD's HS orchestra director, who should know, says there is also value to colleges in seeing that a student stuck with an instrument for years and through high school, even if that student isn't getting awards in competitions.

Yeah, that's an unbiased source.

[Anonymous]

I am also Asian and my kids play the violin. They don't practice much and have never had a recital. I tell them it's good for their brain and they have to play until senior year. I don't care how good they are but I do care that they continue. Will it make a difference in college apps. Highly unlikely. They have Asian friends who go to competitions and practice daily. Might make a difference for those kids but a part of me believes those competitions are all a scam to make money. Just like the travel sports teams.

[Anonymous]

My kid loves his instrument and doesn't do other extracurriculars. He does do all the music extracurriculars he can do (private lessons, orchestra, jazz band, pit orchestra, mentoring a younger student, regional orchestra) and he'll graduate with 7 high school music credits. He practices a lot, but is not interested in competitions. He wants to play in college and will probably do a music minor. He doesn't do anything for the sake of college admissions but I think it will be apparent that he's committed to music. He's a strong student but very laid back and not really interested in prestige and selective schools, so he's not looking for "hooks".

[Anonymous]

My daughter plays an instrument because she wants to. She is ten and has been playing for 5 years (her request). He sister plays a sport seriously because she wants to.
I have NO delusions they will get a scholarship because of these interests, even though it takes up time and money.
I received full scholarships to high school and college and I never played an instrument and did not play sports in high school- I just did well academically.
My advice is let your child decide what they want to spend time and effort on.

[Anonymous]

My 3 kids speak a foreign language, play hockey, and play guitar. It has nothing to do with college, but important for the overall roundness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am also Asian and my kids play the violin. They don't practice much and have never had a recital. I tell them it's good for their brain and they have to play until senior year. I don't care how good they are but I do care that they continue. Will it make a difference in college apps. Highly unlikely. They have Asian friends who go to competitions and practice daily. Might make a difference for those kids but a part of me believes those competitions are all a scam to make money. Just like the travel sports teams.

Amen to the bolded part!!!!

There is a travel soccer team that practices down the street from me. They have literally a hundred kids on the field (it's really 2 fields) at a time practicing. Every time I walk by with my dogs, I calculate in my head how much money they are making and think about how most of those kids won't be playing "elite" soccer after age 12. Maybe 1 will get recruited and probably to D3.

I was a music major (and I'm old). When I was younger there were very few contests and they were truly elite. I think the proliferation of music competitions has something to do with parents who are terrified and trying to make their kids stand out to colleges.

I really feel like these new college prep industries are preying on our insecurities. If your kid likes it, that's awesome. They should do it. If they hate it, finish out the season/year and be done with it and find something they love.

[Anonymous]

My kid had 5 years of orchestra under his belt but it was not possible for him to play in HS for a variety of reasons. Do I think that it would have been good for him to have played at least 1 year in HS to demonstrate that he had achieved a certain level of mastery with his instrument? Yes.

I wouldn't force them to play in HS but I certainly see some benefit in them continuing to play throughout HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's something to write an essay about, but won't be a hook unless you are Julliard caliber. Unfortunately, the money you have invested in lessons and an instrument would be better off in an athletic endeavor.

There are many talented musicians playing in university orchestras which have a need for certain instruments. So many, in fact, they have to hold what's called 'auditions.'

Maybe you've heard of it.

And you can bet the 'athletic endeavor' had better be of the Julliard caliber. Nobody is recruiting a mediocre athlete.

Study after study shows that children who play a musical instrument are smarter, get better grades and score higher on exams like the SAT.

Current scientific research shows that playing certain sports (like football) makes children less intelligent, more impulsive and much more likely to be violent due to concussion risks.

So there is that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's necessary. But however the brain mechanism trains to learn music, it also assists in acquiring math skills. So while your kid may never be a concert violinist, he/she could end up better at Math. Never had my kids do musical instruments, the talent just isn't there-- they are great athletes and that is where I invest my energy and money.

Amen to that. If a kid plays 4 years of lacrosse in high school, that counts for something. You can't just disregard it and say it means nothing. Same with playing an instrument for 10 years (which in my opinion is more impressive). An admissions person is going to consider that a positive. It may not guarantee admission, but it does sway it in the right direction.

FWIW, my DS who has played piano for 10 years is very gifted at math...takes honors and AP level and puts very little effort in to get an A.