The Harper Hall trilogy by Anne McCaffrey (part of the Dragon Riders of Pern)

 When I was in middle school, these were my favorite books (specifically the first two.) I read them over and over again. I think I identified strongly with Menolly, the main character of the first two books. Not the specifics of course, but more the sense of isolation that she felt. It's a common enough feeling for an adolescent but nevertheless the books really spoke to me. Ultimately, I think I can pin the idea I had to be a musician on these books too. 

When I discovered Mercedes Lackey, I practically forgot about Anne McCaffrey and as a result I hadn't reread them in about 25 years. I was over due and they really held up.

Dragonsong opens with Menolly leading the death singing for her mentor Harper Petiron. He was the only harper stationed at Half-Circle Seahold and the only person, aside from her older brother, who really got her. Menolly's dearest dream is to be a harper and study at Harper Hall. However, Half-Circle follows traditions and traditions say that girls can't be Harpers. Yet, with Petrion dead there's no one to take up the teaching of the hold's young and it could be months before a new harper arrives. So, tradition bows to necessity and Menolly undertakes the teaching songs and ballads while they wait for a replacement with a fierce injunction against "twiddling" (composing new tunes). Of course something goes wrong with disasterous consequences and before long she's living holdless and surviving on her own. 

Dragonsinger picks up Menolly's story after she arrives at Harper Hall. It should be a dream come true but all the other girls hate her and her obscene number of fire lizards set her apart and incites envy. All Menolly wants to do is immerse herself in music but a harper is more than just a musician. A harper is a politician, a spy, a teacher, and an influencer of public opinion. As such, a harper can wield an incredable amount of power. That's not what Menolly is concerned with though. Instead she finds herself concerned with the hostility of her peers and even some of the masters who object to her gender, her talent, and her luck.

Menolly is determined to live a life of music and that determination coupled with her talent paves her way to acceptance.

Dragondrums is a bit of a break from the previous two. It actually follows Piemur which first appears in Dragonsinger as one of Menolly's new friends. He's mischevious and a scamp - a troublemaker. He's also possessed of a transcendent soprano voice. That is he does, until his voice cracks in the middle of choral rehearsal for the upcoming festival. Piemur is devistated that his voice chose the worst of all times to change. 

He's slightly mollified, however, when he's selected by the Masterharper himself as his new apprentice provided that he can prove his discretion. Of course, he sets out to do just that despite the other apprentices that have it in for him and journeymen who expect the worst of him.

All these books are excellent for young readers. I don't think thats what McCaffrey intended when she wrote them, but they are each wonderful for middle school readers on up and I still enjoy them as an adult.