I didn't see that your daughter was able to choose another instrument. I would be surprised if all the kids that want to play the clarinet will be able to do it either. I was a very talented musician in junior high & when I tried to play the clarinet, I couldn't get it to sound like anything except a sick goose. I tried the flute & was amaized at what a wonderful sound I could get out of it almost immediately. It's a good thing that they have an instrument for your daughters choice because when they are forced into this kind of beginning instrument situation, children usually don't continue past the first semester.

For me, the beginning instrument class with my flute was a great start for a talent that I was still using up to a few years ago. I got my AA degree with my flute but dropped the music major for my BS degree because music didn't make enough money. I have since played my flute at many church services around where I lived & in a flute choir that played at several of the programs around out city.

The most important thing is to not force her to play any instrument seriously unless she truely wants to. Without love for the instrument, there will never be anything there & especially not worth investing your hard earned money on.

Then there is the question about that music teacher.....what is it with some of the music teachers. I was in junior high back in 1964-1967 & back then, teachers could punish the children.....our music teacher had a paddle that he used on the kids that "caused trouble". I just remembered that when you said that this teacher makes the kids stand out in the hot weather. If he doesn't feel like they can be in class without disruption it, they should be sent to the office & not just sent outside......very wrong move on his part.

Keep track of your daughter & how things go in that class,
Debbie