But Kavanagh College cultural prefect Jonathan Penno says his passion for all four, and his unwillingness to sacrifice one means he has had to learn to prioritise during the past year.
‘‘That's how I make the impossible possible.''
The 18-year-old plays saxophone, clarinet, piano, guitar and tuba in the school's show band, jazz combo, chamber music group, ‘‘The Company'' Christmas pantomime group and the St Kilda Brass Band.
Several nights a week are spent rehearsing and performing with the ensembles, and it is his love of the saxophone which led him to his second passion - being a buddy in the IHC Buddy Programme.
Jonathan says spending several hours a week playing sax with his IHC buddy is a highlight of his week.
‘‘I don't do it for myself - it's enriching someone else's life. That in itself is so rewarding. If I've done nothing else for the day, I come away from my IHC buddy thinking, ‘at least I've made someone else's life a bit better'.''
Jonathan also enjoys volunteering at the Edmund Rice Camps which provide a break for children who need a holiday due to their family, financial or social circumstances.
In the classroom, Jonathan is a high achiever, gaining first in class for physics (2008), English and French (2007), and NCEA level 1 with excellence and level 2 with merit.
He also works at the Dunedin Public Library.
And if there's any spare time left at the end of his busy weeks, he enjoys flying at the Taieri Aero Club.
Achievements: Cultural prefect, peer mentor (2009); academic (2007) and Cultural Blues (2007-08); Edmund Rice Camp volunteer; IHC buddy; piano grade 6; St Kilda Brass Band tuba player (2009).
Role model: ‘‘Generous people-people who give their time freely.''
Hopes for the future: To study health sciences at the University of Otago and become a doctor.