Abram gave Lot first choice of land, of opportunity, of future. He let his younger nephew decide. You can do the same thing with your music students. Present the options, even if there are only two, and let them pick. I did this recently with the choice of festival music. We sight read several pieces, looking for our ‘slow, expressive’ opportunity and I narrowed it down to two, one of which I preferred. Wouldn’t you know it, they picked ‘the other one!’ As we endeavor to prepare it for festival they will learn about musicianship and expression, even though they did not pick the one I would have. Many young people of this generation have very few opportunities to choose anything. Instead of leaving the house for the day, they have to meet by play date. Instead of choosing sides on the playground, coach tells them where to stand. Give them opportunities to choose and they will grow even if they don’t make the choice you would have made in their place.