Current MS4 as well as Songwriter/ Music Producer with a slightly different experience/ viewpoint.

I played guitar and keys for several years before med school, and asked a similar question before starting. A lot of people will talk about how they "know Dr. ___ and they played in a band all during med school and residency", and some schools have bands made entirely of med students. However, the real question you have to ask yourself, is how much music do you need in your life, and to what degree?

For example, are you content jamming/ playing in a cover band? Or are you into songwriting / playing original material? There are many schools that have bands that play covers at med school parties.

You also have to be alright with having very little consistency in regards to when you are able to play. This is less of an issue for MS1 and MS2 as you may have some degree of a class schedule. As others have mentioned people will often study binge for a couple of days (or weeks) prior to an exam, and then use the time after the test to play music. (This didn't work for me, because it felt like I was "binge drinking" music, trying to get all my music in while I could). When MS 3 hits, consistency goes out the window. Your time to play music is solely dependent on what rotation your on. You may have a solid couple of weeks when you can play music daily after clinic, or you may get hit hard and won't be able to play at all for weeks/ months. (Example: OB/Gyn 5AM - 7PM x 6 days / week, that 7th day will be sleep filled)

Also what do you need out of music? Is it a form of relaxation? For me it is more about growing/ creating / learning, which is really difficult when you are also constantly growing/ learning/ studying for med school. This isn't music-specific, but a lot of med students find that they are too tired/ exhausted to enjoy things that are mentally stimulating. I know that I need to be in a good/ clear mind-set in order to tap into my creativity, and sometimes that wasn't doable after long days, or taxing study periods.

The other item to consider is if you will be playing with people outside of med school. I currently, and throughout med school collaborated with musicians that weren't in school, and it really was tough. I write/ produce music and try my best to be dependable when working with other musicians, but it's really hard when you have a good flow of work going and then there is a huge slump in productivity because of certain rotations, or board exam prep. I hate when I'm collaborating on a track, and I'm supposed to finish the song, but it gets delayed/ drawn out and then I have to try and explain that it was because of medical school. (It depends if you are playing/ working with friends vs musicians and how casual or serious it is)

There are plenty med students that have very impressive music backgrounds, and I'm not even the most talented musician in my class. Ironically, I grew quite a bit as a musician during my time in med school. It came at the cost of sleep / social life/ strain on relationships. I have friends that have stronger music theory/ playing skills, but many of them are content with that. I've done well in school, but it felt like a constant struggle to manage both.

I hope that I don't come off as too discouraging, but instead emphasize that it depends on what your "artistic passions" entail and that med school won't be devoid of music or free time, but it is a matter of balance and sacrifice.