Music...compatible with academics?

[splitbrain]

I would really appreciate your views on this...DS 11 says he wants to be a musician and teachers seem to think he has the potential if he wants to. He is starting at a very academic secondary school with a music scholarship. However, he is also an academic scholar so he is going to have to put in a lot of work re academics and get those As they expect from him. Currently entering gr 6 for two instruments so if he really wants to take it seriously we are talking a lot of practice everyday...A friend says he should be aiming for two hours a day now! I am a bit concerned...music versus homework and school work...is there time for both? How is that going to be possible?

Have any of you managed to combine them successfully? I have heard of a girl in a very pushy school getting up at 5:30 am every morning and practicing violin for two hours! There is no way we could do that, firstly because of neighbours, secondly because DS is a big sleeper and he would be exhausted throughout the day...And thirdly cause that would send me to the grave in a couple of years...

[britishsummer]

OP, IME children like your DS tend to be time efficient and focused and so achieve more. It may be a problem if he also likes sport or other activities but otherwise he will have enough time to practise and be able to relax. Also if he is keen he will be able to practise more in the holidays.
However when choosing GSCEs, if he is still keen, he might be advised to go for fewer subjects (ie 9-10 rather than 10-11). Some schools advise this for their music scholars. His school may be doing that anyway.