You know, I know a really smart guy who went to a top school and now works for D.E. Shaw. He really lit up when I talked to him briefly at a wedding and asked if he was still getting to play his musical instrument. It turns out he had done so - did music for a friend's low ambition, high excitement show. And that really seemed to be more meaningful than the C++ code foo he did for D.E. Shaw.
You will never regret jamming with friends. A test is just a blip.
Yep. The thing for me was that trumpet was not anywhere near "jamming with friends" the way choir is - I didn't like anyone in band, and after 45 minutes of playing I'm winded and my brain is deprived of oxygen, whereas 45 minutes of singing leave me feeling great. I don't think parents should let their kids do nothing, but I do think kids should be allowed to experiment, and choose for themselves what they stick with.
You will never regret jamming with friends. A test is just a blip.