Susan Martin From the Home Front

Last June, our 9-year-old was able to choose a band or orchestra instrument to play this year at school. She chose the cello.

We rented one from a local store and picked it up at the end of August. Things got off to a bumpy start when she spotted a HUGE (her description, not mine) spider in the carrying case.

The spider (rather small, I might add) was booted outdoors. Our daughter quickly recovered and fell into a nice, daily practice schedule. So far, so good, but I know we've only just begun.

I remember some years ago living up the street from a boy who was learning to play the trumpet. If our windows were open, you could hear him loud and clear.

Things got better with time, but at the beginning - Whew!