<p>My son found out today that he was selected for our state’s HOBY leadership conference. We were not familiar with it. Unfortunately, it is the same weekend as his state music festival. He will probably qualify for state in 4 or 5 categories in band and choir including in 2 or 3 ensembles. That same weekend the school’s music dept. fundraising gala will be held and he is scheduled to perform for the event. How badly should he feel about having to turn down the HOBY conference?</p>
<p>I had to look up what HOBY was. If your child is invested in music I would go with that. As a singer I would have done the same.</p>
<p>If music is his passion, I say go to the music festival. I am sure that there are other kids in his school who can take his place at the HOBY weekend. I believe that it is more impressive to be in a state level music festival than attend the HOBY weekend, since most schools can send several kids to the HOBY weekends.</p>
<p>you can still put “nominated/selected to attend HOBY leadership conference” on the resume.</p>
<p>I would do the music stuff (but I am a music person)</p>
<p>If his commitment to the music festival includes ensembles, then I think he’s obligated to go to the festival for the sake of the other ensemble members.</p>
<p>Yes, his commitment is to the ensembles and he wants to go to the music festival. Three of the ensembles will probably make it to state and last year he earned the highest ratings in all four of the events he entered-3 solos and 1 ensemble. So it is something that he enjoys. I just wasn’t aware of the HOBY program and wasn’t sure how big a deal it was. I hate to have him miss it but it is a Catch- 22–be an involved student and leader at school therefore, you are too busy to go to a conference for developing leaders. So do you think he should put “Nominated for HOBY” on his resume? And do you think the state music is more impressive? I have been learning a lot on these forums. Thanks!!</p>