Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 13:11     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
In MCPS, many kids take health and/or the technology credit in the summers.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 13:04     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Oh, yes. Our college freshman did marching band all four years of high school with honors and AP courses all the way through HS. It is a great experience for your student to learn how to budget time and handle a workload. This is what colleges like to see, actually. Can you manage your time well? (College requires it.) Can you work under pressure sometimes? Can you use time management skills?

I would say do not deny your student the opportunity to demonstrate it.


But the thing is, my child wouldn’t be able to fit in 4 yrs of the most important core classes in addition to required electives (gym, etc) with band. They likely would have to cut social studies and not do 4 yrs if it or maybe not 4 yrs if a foreign language. They only have 5 periods at their school.


This seems like a failure on the school's part, to make taking band not compatible with a full academic schedule.


+1 That's a school issue. Band all 4 years isn't a problem in FCPS. As others have said, maybe look into summer PE.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 12:50     Subject: Re:Marching band and academic conflicts
I told my kids that there may come a time in 11th or 12 when they have to drop Band to be able to take an AP that is only offered one class period. They go to a smaller school.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 12:46     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
In VA students in band often take summer PE. That opens things up.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 12:40     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
Another idea to add to taking PE in summer - maybe language could be taken at community college?
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 12:27     Subject: Re:Marching band and academic conflicts
DC was faced with similar dilemma with marching band and IB/AP course load and, on top of that, HS/travel sports. Sadly, DC had to make a decision and decided to drop marching band.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 12:24     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
Anonymous wrote:I know kids in McLean that take summer PE to free up that period during the school year.

Great support for a great marching band
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 12:23     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
I know kids in McLean that take summer PE to free up that period during the school year.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 12:14     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Oh, yes. Our college freshman did marching band all four years of high school with honors and AP courses all the way through HS. It is a great experience for your student to learn how to budget time and handle a workload. This is what colleges like to see, actually. Can you manage your time well? (College requires it.) Can you work under pressure sometimes? Can you use time management skills?

I would say do not deny your student the opportunity to demonstrate it.


But the thing is, my child wouldn’t be able to fit in 4 yrs of the most important core classes in addition to required electives (gym, etc) with band. They likely would have to cut social studies and not do 4 yrs if it or maybe not 4 yrs if a foreign language. They only have 5 periods at their school.

Can they take gym or other electives during the summer to make room? Will the band director let them stay in marching band as an after school activity, particularly as an experienced upperclassman, without taking it as a class?

Mine did four years of band, plus orchestra, plus two languages, double sciences and extra social studies classes, but they had 8 periods and opted not to take lunch in exchange for an extra course.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 12:13     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Oh, yes. Our college freshman did marching band all four years of high school with honors and AP courses all the way through HS. It is a great experience for your student to learn how to budget time and handle a workload. This is what colleges like to see, actually. Can you manage your time well? (College requires it.) Can you work under pressure sometimes? Can you use time management skills?

I would say do not deny your student the opportunity to demonstrate it.


But the thing is, my child wouldn’t be able to fit in 4 yrs of the most important core classes in addition to required electives (gym, etc) with band. They likely would have to cut social studies and not do 4 yrs if it or maybe not 4 yrs if a foreign language. They only have 5 periods at their school.


This seems like a failure on the school's part, to make taking band not compatible with a full academic schedule.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 12:06     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
Anonymous wrote:Oh, yes. Our college freshman did marching band all four years of high school with honors and AP courses all the way through HS. It is a great experience for your student to learn how to budget time and handle a workload. This is what colleges like to see, actually. Can you manage your time well? (College requires it.) Can you work under pressure sometimes? Can you use time management skills?

I would say do not deny your student the opportunity to demonstrate it.


But the thing is, my child wouldn’t be able to fit in 4 yrs of the most important core classes in addition to required electives (gym, etc) with band. They likely would have to cut social studies and not do 4 yrs if it or maybe not 4 yrs if a foreign language. They only have 5 periods at their school.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 11:42     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
^^ PS: Our student is now in the college marching band at a competitive, D1 university. You don't have to stop at senior year of high school.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 11:42     Subject: Re:Marching band and academic conflicts
Yes - but it's hard to fit in any other elective.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 11:41     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
Oh, yes. Our college freshman did marching band all four years of high school with honors and AP courses all the way through HS. It is a great experience for your student to learn how to budget time and handle a workload. This is what colleges like to see, actually. Can you manage your time well? (College requires it.) Can you work under pressure sometimes? Can you use time management skills?

I would say do not deny your student the opportunity to demonstrate it.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2023 11:32     Subject: Marching band and academic conflicts
Finding it hard to fit in all the classes my child wants/needs to be competitive for college yet still fit in marching band. Has anyone’s child managed to keep up with marching band while still taking 4 yrs of math, science, English, language, and social studies?