<p>There’s a great scene in Prince of Tides in which the violinist-son yearns to play football and is finally allowed to. (He’s played by Barbra Streisand’s RL son.)</p>
<p>I think this choice should be a student’s. It depends on the seriousness of the aspirations of the child, too.</p>
<p>I must say, as the mother of a violinist with dear friends who are also serious about their string and keyboard instruments the injuries the kids suffered have been related to their playing and over practicing. Some have required surgical intervention. Some low level sports playing would have actually helped relieve their serious repetitive stress injuries.</p>