Klarinet Archive - Posting 000779.txt from 2001/11

From: "Alisa Hixon" <ahixon@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Fw: [kl] 7th grader wants to quit
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 18:57:10 -0500

Thanks Amy for your input.

I know it is the best thing for her. And am sure (*hoping*) she
thanks me later.

She is at that VERY awkward stage where all she thinks of is being around
friends.
& those friends as I mentioned earlier ARE NOT in band.

I never had the opportunity to play an instrument. I remember in high
school,
the kids in the band at school, and how they seemed to be a close knit
crowd -- going to
games, concerts etc....

I want my daughter to get to experience things in school I didn't. And take
advantage
of all it has to offer.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Clarinet Chick" <chatchickamy@-----.com>
Subject: Re: [kl] 7th grader wants to quit

> >Alisa Hixon wrote:
> >
> >>I have an 7th grader into the 2nd year of band - She tells me, (after
many
> >>payments, $$ spent & private lessons) she doesn't want to play next
year.
> >>
> >>I think it is because many of her friends "dropped out"
> >>after their sixth grade year (which also happens to be their one and
only
> >>year)
> >>
> >>In the past I have let her drop out community sports (she's not into
being
> >>a
> >>athlete).
> >>
> >>I have told her that I have invested a lot into this and will NOT let
her
> >>drop out - Will she
> >>appreciate this in her future or should I just back off?
> >
> >Back in my band director days this was a recurring problem and parents
> >don't like to be perceived as arm twisters One family found the perfect
> >solution. Find her a job around the house which she doesn't already
> >do. One which is slightly less than enjoyable is best. Tell her what
she
> >can earn per week doing this job. Then tell her she can quit when she
has
> >repaid the cost of her instrument and her private lessons. Of course her
> >payoff will occur well into her high school years.
> >
> >Rich
>
> I think you should force her to continue. I belive now that music is a
gift,
> when I first started clarinet I didn't feel the same. I was annoyed,
> frusterated, and I wanted to just quit. But my mom forced me to stay in
band
> and I really thank her for doing that today.
> =imee
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------