Sports VS. Music

Being a musician and an athlete is harder than I thought it would be. Playing the flute at the age of seven made music essential to my life. I have also played basketball since 7th grade and I have been on the team ever since. Just last year, I had conflicts between music and basketball. On Saturdays, there is an orchestra called the Utah Youth Symphony, which is an audition required elite orchestra in the state that meets every Saturday mornings. Coincidently, in the basketball season, we had practices in Saturday mornings. Wanting to do two things at once, I talked to the basketball coach about my situation. Sadly, the consequences of not being at those Saturday practices were harsher than I hoped. I lost significant amount of playing time due to my absence. I did quit middle of the year because of the consequence for missing Saturday practices due to orchestra seemed too harsh to me especially when I am there practicing 5 days a week. Then, I wanted to be back on the team because I simply loved playing basketball for the school. This year yet again, I am having conflicts between music and basketball. What is the best choice out there for me? Is it really just one or the other? Why can’t I do both when I am capable of doing it? Does anyone feel Park City system limits us from multi-tasking? It is just too ironic to me that the counselors tell us extra curricular activities are important and when students are capable of doing two things at once, they are punished for their talents.