[samtheman]

How long has your daughter been playing?

[AnAmericanMother]

She started in the third grade, but her playing didn't really take off until she moved to a new school for high school. This school is very, very into music - both voice and chamber orchestra - and her playing has improved by leaps and bounds in the last four years (she's a senior now.)

Just to show how good these kids are, they play Handel's Messiah (Part I) every Christmas from the original score. No cuts, no dumbing down. They give 3-4 concerts a year from an extensive repertoire of Baroque, Romantic, and modern music. The soloists are all headed for conservatories, including Juilliard.

I'm sure it's the good influence of all those serious musicians, but I'm amazed at how good she's become. She won't be a career musician, she doesn't have either the exceptional talent or the drive for that, but she will always be a good competent amateur who enjoys music.