[SJSAMPLE]

I spent sixteen years in The United States Army, wearing the uniform and following the rules. When I decided I wanted some individuality, I left.

If a different-colored violin upsets the team, it’s a problem. If not, no big deal. I’ll leave it to the leaders of the team to make that decision.

If she decided to drop out rather than conform to the team, the maybe she’s the one who didn’t value the team or its goals?

BTW, uniformity is more a feature of private education, not public (government) education. I’m actually surprised a private (government) school had any rules or standards to begin with.

[OneWingedShark]

I spent sixteen years in The United States Army, wearing the uniform and following the rules. When I decided I wanted some individuality, I left.

And you miss his essential point:
Any TEAM that doesn't respect its members, is a PRISON.
Any RULES that don't respect its members, are TYRANNY.

I, too, was in the military and I have to say that the rules themselves weren't disrespectful of people, though there were those in leadership positions who would abuse the rules (by wither making selective exceptions, or more frequently additional rules). {Indeed, the constant non-application of rules regarding promotion was a big reason I left the national guard.}