I'm thinking about going into a career in music, and I play clarinet and trombone. I've heard from a few people that I need to learn piano, so I'm just trying to find out from as many people as I can if I actually do.
If I do, why is it so important? Why is this a good instrument to know?
The answer is INSANELY important. I'm a music major and they FORCE you to take a piano proficiency test and if you don't pass by the time you're a sophomore, they boot you. It's like that anywhere you go. I'm an oboe major so I know where you are coming from.
Just a heads up though, they'll only let you in on one instrument. You can't be doing two. Also music majors have to do 13-15 courses each semester and the days go 8am-8PM+ just sitting in a classroom. You will not be eating 3+ meals a day because there is just no time. You will also have to be there weekends and be doing 1-3 performances a week. it's hard core and you'll have no vacation, weekend or down time to yourself. You'll constantly be traveling over vacations with ensembles and be doing performances all over the country and where I am, all over the world.
Think very carefully if this is what you really want. It's like this any school you go to. I live it every single day. Also, I hope you have yourself a private teacher and a piece prepared for your audition. You'll have to audition when you are a senior in HS, usually fall. They really look down on kids who come in with no instruction. You'll also have to sing and do a theory test for your school, again, I hope you have knowledge and experience on both. Not many people know that before they walk in, so I'm letting you know. It's tight competition, so best of luck to you!