Let's Do This

Practice

Over the next few weeks, I ended up being in a practice schedule for my solo. I would come to school 45 minutes to 30 minutes earlier than I usually do (which comes off of my sleeping time, and breakfast) and grab a practice room with Niko. We both decided to practice at school early rather than at home because we get more work done at school.

Then he and I would practice our solos together, both being the same difficulty, and would try our best to help each other out since none of us had private lessons. We also decided not to join an ensemble since there wasn't enough people to make another one.

~

I stepped out of the car and into the school parking lot, waving goodbye to my mom. It was about 45 minutes before I usually come to school and the sun just came up. There was only a few days left till sectionals where I would have to play my solo as the chair test, and I had to play best to my abilities. And then the day after I will have to play in front of the whole band.

Without even noticing, I am already in front of the band door and see a few kids sitting in front of it. Fellow band nerds who are desperate to practice.

"It's locked" a one of the clarinets players said when I slid down the wall to sit.

This is pretty normal since sometimes we get here even before the band directors do. So we would just camp out here here talking about our solos or homework while some teachers pass by the band door asking what were doing.

I was going to open my bag for my math homework until I suddenly heard footsteps and look up. I saw Niko with his flute case, and still no trace of the band directors.

"Hey" he said while sliding down the wall to sit by me.

"Hola!" I replied and thought a bit. "Brought any food today?"

He nodded and grabbed a few granola bars out of his backpack. He usually brings a snack for us since we skip breakfast to get to school early.

I grabbed the one he held out to me and shoved it in my backpack just before a teacher walked by. It looks like we're doing drugs in school since we're not allowed to bring food near or in the band room (not saying what I know what it feels or looks like doing drugs).

Finally the concert band director came and opened the band door, and we all rushed into our usual practice rooms thinking that its going to get taken. Yet, we all know it's just going to be us.

Usually it's just me, Niko, a few clarinets, and some brass who come to practice. And there's the occasional person who just comes into a practice room to do homework.

Everyone else practices at home or doesn't care at all.

As I walked into the farthest practice room from the band office with Niko, we both took out our granola bars and ate it while assembling our flutes.

"So we got an hour until we gotta leave." I mentioned after I looked at the clock.

"I guess that's enough to practice and warm up, but we might not have time to do our homework."

That's the downside of being a band nerd; we love to practice, and we need to practice to get better, but we don't finish our homework, and hardly see our friends...

"Oh the pain of practicing" I accidentally said out loud.

"Yeah, but band and getting better is important to us." I couldn't help but to agree with him.

More important than homework, and maybe friends, I said in my head. Are we seriously this band nerdish? It's only our second year in band...

I shrugged it off and went to paying attention on my solo.

The next hour went by fast filled by scales, solos, and random conversations about food.

We started to pack up and get ready for first period, making mental notes to find time to finish our homework.

~

All of the periods went by quickly (except during lunch since I almost had to skip it to finish my math homework) and we were all already getting our instruments and ready to head onto the buses.

"Hey!" I heard and turned around to see Niko jogging towards me.

"Hola!" I replied.

"Want to stay after school? I want to practice and there will be people over at my house so I can't practice there... " He trailed off.

After a brief moment of thought I said yes.

"So, when do you want to leave?" I asked while heading towards the other band room.

"How about in an hour?" He said to me.

"Mkay, lemme tell my dad to pick me up then." I said while searching my blue bag for my phone.

I walked into larger band room, into our familiar practice room, and called my dad. While waiting for my dad to pick up, Niko and I arranged the seats and stands so we were facing each other like we always do. Then I heard my dad pick up the phone.

"Hey Dad, can you pick me up in an hour or more at school?"

"Sure, why?" He asked confused.

"Practicing with a friend?" I said as if it was a question.

"A boy?" He asked, being his overprotective self.

"No" I lied. "I'm practicing with a girl who plays the flute too." I lied again, somewhat, hoping to make it believable.

After we said our goodbyes, I hanged up.

Few moments later of assembling our instruments and warming up, we were ready to practice our solos.

I looked through my solo, playing it once then twice, and then I handed him the piece.

"Hey, can you make sure I'm playing this correctly?" I asked him.

"Sure, do you have it memorized?" I nodded.

I put my flute up and started to play without a second thought and only thought about making the best sound. Before I knew it, my solo ended and Niko and I looked up.

"Cool, two or three articulation mess ups, but that was just because you were playing from memory, and some dynamic issues. But overall, it would get a superior rating!" He said enthusiastically.

"Awesome, want me to judge your playing?" I asked him.

"Yep." And he handed me his solo, guessing that he memorized his too.

Soon, I was listening to his solo and reading his music carefully.

"Not much mistakes. Same as me there was some articulation problems, but your tempo slowed down a bit. Your dynamics were good though." I said once he finished.

"Mkay, now I'm somewhat determined to memorize it more." He said, finishing it off with a laugh. I couldn't help but to agree with him once again.

The next hour flew by like that and with some serious practicing. Soon it time to leave and we were already walking to the side of the school.

"Want to do the same tomorrow?" I asked him, even though I knew we didn't need much practice anymore.

"Sure, practicing is always worth it."

We were out on the side of the school and saw his mother waiting for him.

I waved goodbye while Niko stepped into his mother's car. Thankfully, my dad didn't come until a few minutes later.

Then I finally realized something when Niko's car rolled out of view.

We were ready to play our solos in front of everyone.

It can't be that scary. Right?