@Momminit You might read through this thread for a pertinent discussion about the importance of achieving the recommended four years of foreign language. It’s a long thread, but you should especially note Posts #118 & 120.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/21647173#Comment_21647173
My observation is that LACs are for the most part flexible on their requirements and recommendations as long as there’s a rational thought process behind the decision to choose this over that, which your daughter or her counselor could explain. To me, taking German to enhance her vocal music performance makes perfect sense.
In addition to looking at what it takes to get in, you need to consider what it takes to get out. Many colleges have FL proficiency degree requirements which are determined in a variety of ways. Some use high school course level, some use standarized test scores, some administer their own placement tests.
To be on the safe side, if your daughter isn’t interested in taking Spanish in college, she should look closely at each college’s degree requirements. If she doesn’t start German in high school, she may end up taking Spanish or another FL in college. Or her three years of Spanish may allow her to"place out." The rules are variable and hard to get a black and white reading on.
My son had two years of two different languages and was admitted to a selective LAC. He wanted to avoid taking FL at the college level and chose schools that didn’t have a FL proficiency requirement, which is a separate but related issue to admissions requirements.