Violet violin: Tibbetts orchestra won't allow instrument

From the Farmington Daily Times - By Ryan Boetel - FARMINGTON — The girl with the purple violin and the Tibbetts Middle School Orchestra couldn't settle their differences. Camille Cruz, an 11-year-old sixth-grader at Tibbetts, switched her elective from orchestra to choir Tuesday morning, said Sherry Lopez, the girl's mother.  She made the choice to switch music programs over the brouhaha caused by her nontraditional violin. Cruz was told last week that her purple violin was not suitable for a middle school orchestra and she would have to use one of the school district's wooden-bodied instruments.  The order struck a nerve with Lopez. She argued with the teacher, the principal and the school district to try to get the purple violin in the classroom. The dust up was to no avail.  Lopez said the district told her Monday that the purple violin was not allowed in the orchestra. "Some people are saying I just wanted to start drama and that wasn't the point," Lopez said. "I was just trying to show Camille that she could fight for what she believes in." Read more

Violet violin: Tibbetts orchestra won't allow instrument