A Big Risky Decision

[Sophie Silkpetal]

Let me launch into my small, simple story, which is forcing me to make a big and risky decision.

I play the flute, so, when my grandma offered to have me visit her for two weeks in the summer, I was so happy. ( she does this almost every year, for the past three years, )
She showed me a Youth Orchestra summer day camp.
But, for flute, it's very hard to get into orchestras, b/c the flute is so common and a orchestra doesn't have very many flutes. ( usually only 2, and maybe a piccolo )
I can't tell you what the name of the camp is, that would be giving away personal information, but I can tell you that it's the main and biggest camp in the city.
Anyways, my mom and I have been trying really hard to get the application and send it in, so that I may be picked, b/c it's on a first come, first serve basis.
Then, since my grandma knew I might not get in, she found a Computer Graphic Design day camp. ( you get to use Adobe Photoshop for a whole week, for hours on end, and you also get to create your own "company" logo - and you get to take it home, digitally and in print! ) I was so excited. A camp where you get to use Photoshop, all day?! Since I don't have Photoshop, I want to do it so bad.

But! Here is the problem. My grandma can only pay for one camp. And she can only have me over at her house for one period of time, b/c I have lots of siblings, and they have to have their turns at staying with grandma.

So, if I take the risk and sign up for the Graphic Design camp, then if I get in, ( which is very likely ), I cannot cancel it and get a refund. I'll have to cancel the Orchestra Camp, which you can do easily...
But, I can't decide, I can'tcan'tcan't. I want to go the Graphic Design camp, but the Orchestra camp would be sooo much fun, also!

I need advice, badly.

And while I can't go to Graphic Design camp next year, I can do the Orchestra camp this year, next year, and in 2014. ( Then I'll be too old, in 2015. )

Adviceadviceadviceadvice, please...

- Sophie

[Julie Dazzleshimmer]

That's so cool, Sophie! By the way, I play flute too. I would say do the one you like best. But in my opinion, I would say do the Graphic Design Camp.

[Olivia Diamondsky]

Oh Sophie, there equally as fun, but you brought up a point that made me think! you only can do flute till 2015, Graphics isnt going anywhere, it will be waiting just for YOU!
( I know you love your flute too!) Olivia

[Sweet Cupcake]

I think Sophie that Computer Graphic Design camp is a great opportunity to learn! and if you can do it Orchestra camp the next year is cool! then go for Computer Graphic Design camp!!

[vetcat1234]

I would go for the Graphic Design, since you can do the other camp next year. But, it's really up to you! Whichever you see fit, then you an choose that one.

~Cat

[June Rosewillow]

That is a tough choice, Sophie! (I play the flute, as well! I didn't know there were so many flutists on the forum!) I say sit down and really think about where your passion lies. They both sound like they would be terrific opportunities, so either way you win, right?

The orchestra does sound like it would be a lot of fun and a great opportunity. On the other hand, it sounds like it may be more difficult to get into the orchestra. What happens if you sign up for the orchestra and the positions are all filled? Is it too late to then try and sign up for the Graphic Design class?

If that's the case, I would sign up for the Graphic Design Class. It wouldn't be worth the risk (to me) to sign up for orchestra, not get in, and then be out BOTH classes. That's just my thought on it! And think of it this way. You have your flute to play all the time, right? But you said you don't have Photoshop? If it were my decision, I would choose Graphic Design this year, and try for Orchestra next year.

But this is your decision! Make sure you're happy with whatever you choose! Personally I love both music and graphic design so I really see your dilemma! Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Julie Roseblossom]

Originally Posted by June Rosewillow

On the other hand, it sounds like it may be more difficult to get into the orchestra. What happens if you sign up for the orchestra and the positions are all filled? Is it too late to then try and sign up for the Graphic Design class?

That's what I did a few times - there were two things I really, really wanted to do, one required an audition, the other just a sign-up. I auditioned for the one, didn't make it, and signed up for the other. It works.

I say try June's idea if it's possible - try out for orchestra, if you don't make it, go for graphics. If that's not possible, do whichever you're more passionate about - do you truly love flute, or is it just a hobby? Same for graphics, is it a passion or a hobby?

I don't play flute, however, when I'm faced with a decision like this, I decide which one I'm more passionate about, or, if it's same same, I go for the one that's limited by age.

[Charlotte Frostsparkle]

Well, we can't make your mind up for you but, if you love to play the flute and hope to do it for a long time, maybe even for a career, going to a large camp like this would be very good for you. On the other hand learning with graphic design can be very useful as well. If i were you I would just sit and think for a few days, talk it over with your mum and your grandma and without thinking about money, time or anything like that, just think about what you would really like to do.

[Sophie Silkpetal]

Originally Posted by June Rosewillow

The orchestra does sound like it would be a lot of fun and a great opportunity. On the other hand, it sounds like it may be more difficult to get into the orchestra. What happens if you sign up for the orchestra and the positions are all filled? Is it too late to then try and sign up for the Graphic Design class?

Well, the application for the Orchestra is supposed to be up sometime this month. I don't know the deadline for signing up, yet.
But I have to sign up for the Graphic Design contest by Feb. 27th. I'm not sure I'll know if I've gotten into the Orchestra or not by Feb. 27th... So unsure.

- Sophie

[kass101]

Well, I would say the Graphic Design camp, because that would be lots of fun. You can get into the Orchestra Camp now through 2015. I'm not saying the graphic design camp just because I want you to make us even awesomer graphics, just because that would be really fun for you, since I know you love graphic making!

But honestly honey, the choice is your's.

[Straw]

i think you should choose the one you really like most. what do you like more, music, or graphic design? while i can't give you much advice, think of all the pros and cons for each camp then narrow it down to which camp you would rather take. i hope you make your decision and that you are happy with your choice

[Iris Waterdew]

I personally think that you should pick the orchestra camp. Graphic design camps are quite common (at least in my experience, lol) and chances for getting into another graphic design camp next year are high.
Also, in high school there are many different classes you can choose from (this is obviously not including core classes -- lol -- it's just with clubs and the subjects you can choose from), and among them are graphic design with PS/PSE, as well as many others including working with tablets and programs like Sketchbook Pro, etc.
Another thing to consider is that flute can be something very important in your life, and while many people can learn graphic design in a snap, it's very difficult to train for years and years until you are very good at a specific instrument (or specific group of instruments), and considering an instrument for a career or an amateur orchestra group can make pretty large impacts on your life.

But of course, it all comes back down to your choice Sophie. You do what you think is best and everything will be a-ok in the end
~ Iris

[SilverCandleshadow]

If I were in your situation, I would sign up for orchestra first because I do play an instrument and I personally would rather do that than the Photoshop Camp. But If you really want to do both, I would suggest doing to Photoshop class this year and the orchestra camp the following years because you can always go as long as you're young enough. I hope that you're happy with whatever you choose!

[Molly_wa]

personally, i would pick the graphic design camp. you'll learn stuff on photoshop that you can still implement in GIMP and being able to work both programs can be very useful. also, you can still do the orchestra camp for the next few years.
i think most people on the forums will lean toward one or the other based on what we prefer to do, so i think you should do what you want and what you think you'll have more fun doing. i think you'll be glad with whatever you pick. :]

[roseabby]

Go With Orchestra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE Orchestra Music Go For It Sophie!!!!!!!!!!!