Reunited

Chapter Seven

        As Josephine and Anne entered the campus, everyone seemed to be in a frenzy of decorating. Buntings were being tied; ladders of assorted materials were seen. Several male students helped the personnel in tying the buntings and tarpaulins.

        The two entered the Amphitheatre for their rehearsal. They were early as usual and patiently waited for their co-students to arrive.

        Once all of them were present, Professor Fox instructed them to take their seats on the front row as he gave an announcement, at the same time giving the sound booth personnel the chance to adjust the microphones.

         "All of you have proven to be worthy for the grades I have promised." The professor's voice boomed throughout the walls of the Amphitheatre. "I know you're worried about what I taught to your co-students while all of you were practising. Don't be troubled; I taught them the basics that you knew well. The lessons were all about note-reading, exposing them the different genres of music, finding the right instrument for them, the basic chords, and the most important of all, playing by ear."

        Anne and Jo looked at each other and smiled, knowing that they both knew how to play music by ear. The other students nodded.

         "No musician is considered a musician unless they know how to play by ear. It is a technique to be in key with the band, whether you're a singer, or a musician to be in key with the singer. This technique is proven by those who sing the karaoke from dusk 'til dawn."

        Some students laughed.

         "Now, I know you all have been rehearsing like it is the actual 'night' for days. I would like to give you a glimpse as to what it really feels like on the night itself. There will be three judges – not the same judges two months ago – they will ask you questions based upon your performance and as to the reason why you chose the song. Answers such as, 'the reason why I played the song is because it's my favourite song' and 'this song means so much to me' are not accepted. You need to have an underlying reason: support your answer, solidify it."

         "Anne, do you have an explanation for your song?" Jo asked, murmuring.

         "Yeah. I had my 'reason' figured out four months ago. What's yours?"

         "All the time, I was thinking of doing the song because it was my favourite song. But, as to what the professor said, it's not enough."

         "Hala," Anne spoke a Cebuano term. "You need to dig deeper as to why you chose to play the song."

        Josephine's hands grew cold, knowing she could not further support her answer. She had to think of one – fast.

        The choir has arrived in the Philippines. Nobody seemed to notice their arrival but the baggers and a band of blind men playing guitars on the side, singing a welcoming song.

         "At least we have a 'quiet' arrival," Michael whispered to Joseph.

         "Oh, not much has changed inside the airport." John looked around while walking. "It still looks the same sixteen years ago."

         "Good to have you on tour with us, John." Mr. Fox pleasantly tapped John's shoulder. "We could use your expertise with the local language."

        Joseph took a deep breath. He recognised an odour similar to the odour inside the native Filipino restaurant he and his father dined before.

         "That odour makes me hungry." Joseph thought out loud.

        John and Mr. Fox chortled at Joseph's remark.