Not every piece will be their favourite, and that is okay
Some weeks the music will be unfamiliar: an older work, a sacred piece, a style they have not met before, or something that feels hard long before it feels rewarding. A young person’s taste is still forming, and “I don’t like this one” is a normal part of the journey, not a sign anything is wrong.
What it grows in them
Playing or singing music they did not choose builds perseverance, an open and growing musical palate, and the maturity to serve the whole ensemble rather than only their own preference. Very often a young person ends up loving a piece they first resisted, once they have lived with it and mastered it. That turnaround is one of the most formative experiences an ensemble offers.
Your part
The key is to not let “I don’t like this piece” harden into “I don’t like orchestra” or “I don’t like choir”. Help them give it time, a piece almost always grows on you as it gets easier. Encourage them to talk to their conductor if something is a genuine struggle. And celebrate the breadth they are gaining: stretching into new and unfamiliar music is part of becoming a real musician, and we choose our repertoire with care, for its beauty and its meaning.
Part of the Parent Onboarding & Character Guide.