Music Scholarship at University?

[Strawberry15]

DS's instrumental teacher suggested a music scholarship at the university, where he plans to start this September. At first, he reacted very positively and was happy to have a go.

However, now he is having a second thought.

His instrumental skills are very strong - he won a few international prizes and passed a diploma with a high distinction. He will benefit a lot from being a scholar if he is successful. However, the university offers fantastic facilities and support for sports, which is very appealing to DS, who is also very athletic. On top, his chosen subject is famous for its heavy workload (Science)—many students don't work part-time during term time. Although he likes the idea of being a scholar and all the benefits of it (free lessons, etc), he feels the sense of the duties may be too much and might struggle with time juggling with all the other things he is interested in.

We can withdraw the application as the audition hasn't happened yet. But half of me feels he should try it as he may not get it anyway, and also if he isn't 100% sure, it would be better to keep the doors open, as he can't take it back later if he closes the door now.

In the end, he will decide. But please tell me your thoughts. He should cancel it now or have a go anyway?

Hmmm I think he should withdraw it if he isn't 100% sure of his commitment... We wouldn't have thought of applying if the teacher hadn't suggested it; that tells all, I guess.

IME most of the orchestral/band players at uni are scientists! So I wouldn’t worry about the workload side of things. Rehearsals and performances are usually in the evening and/or at weekends.

He can always resign his scholarship if other activities become more appealing.

Music is such a great way of meeting new people outside your course and from other years. And you already have something in common with them. You can also join up to form your own bands and groups and get paid gigs. It really is fantastic for opening doors.

When I was in university orchestra, all my desk partners were scientists, including medics! One used to come straight from dissection class....

Both of my YP study heavy workload STEM degrees (25-30 hours contact a week plus much more self study). They also both participate in symphony orchestra, ensembles, choirs and perform in several concerts a term. Whilst they also chose to not audition for scholarships they are both heavily involved in the music life of the university. They mix with musos and other non-musos alike. If your YP enjoys music, they will find it whether they have a scholarship or not. Only thing I'd say, is if going for a choral scholarship, then that really can place demands on the student but if that's your thing, then it really can also be juggled alongside a STEM degree. It's absolutely fantastic for making friends and their mental health.

I was offered something similar when I studied chemistry many years ago. I turned it down because I didn't feel like I wanted the obligation to attend the lessons, practise and the university groups which were compulsory if you had a scholarship. It was the right decision. Chemistry was very intense and the workload was high. The last thing I wanted to do after a whole day in labs and squeezing in tutorial preparation was to be under pressure to practise the violin.

However, I had a wonderful musical life without the scholarship. I played in the university orchestra which was excellent, audition only and all music students apart from 3 of us. The music we played was fantastic. I also led a non-auditioned orchestra for all-comers. I played violin and organ in a local church. I had my own string quartet which played at various events and we got some money coming in for that. All of that was without the obligation to participate that would have come along with the scholarship and in my third year when things got really tough on my degree I was able to reduce the amount of music I was doing.

I've ended up in music and not chemistry.....