Leaving the New and Different You

Practice, Practice, Practice

Chapter 5

After a week.

The school year has ended, but I'm still here at school, having a meeting. I envy my bestfriends because they went to Maldives this summer vacation; I wasn't able to join them.

"We're going to have practices starting tomorrow until next Friday," Mrs. Campbell said, eyeing each one of us. "We have to prepare for the seniors' graduation and their graduation ball. We would perform for them. Understand?"

All of us answered in chorus, "Yes, Mrs. Campbell."

I went out of the music room, walking with Alfred and Kenneth. "Guys, do you think this event would be fruitful? 'Cause, you know, I heard rumors last year's performance was a trash."

"Quit insulting the choir," Kenneth ordered. "We're better now."

"I know, but aren't you pressured?" I asked. I know I'm kind of insulting the choir, but it's a real fact. On the graduation ball, when they sang Sway by Michael Buble, their blending sounded so wrong. Few voices cracked, some were out of tune. Because of that, the students threw tomatoes at them.

"No, I am not. I have faith with my co-choir members---with you. In my whole life, I've never been happier. Music is my happiness. Music is my life."

I salute Kenneth because of his confidence and determination. "I promise, we will change the choir. We'll be the best. Right, Alfred?"

"Absolutely, yes!"

  ♂  ♥  ♀

The next day, Alfred didn't attend the practice. He told me he got a fever and he won't be attending the practices until tomorrow. He also told me he would catch up. 

Well, the choral seating is good. STAB position. As usual, the upcoming seniors planted their butts in front. "You think you can do all of it?" I muttered, irritated. "For your information, we're seating here at the back which should be, I think, your place," I added.

"Calm down, Av," Keith said, patting my back. Oh! I haven't told you we're closer than usual. It all started with the pants, can you still remember? "Let them sit there and we'll see what will happen to them," he added, smirking.

"Why? What will happen to them?" I asked, incapable of knowing the reason why. He didn't answer my question. I think he might be vexing me.

After awhile, Mrs. Campbell entered the room. "Are your positions correct?"

"Yes, Mrs. Campbell," they all said, still on the same tune as yesterday, but me, Capital N and O, Mrs. Campbell. Mrs. Campbell placed her bag beside the piano and she started playing. "Stand up!" she ordered.

"Get ready for the vocal exercises, kids," she warned. I think she's despising us. It's just vocal exercises. "One note. One, two, three, go."

Ya mi ya mi ya. Do re mi fa sol la ti do. A a a a a a a a a.

"Two notes. Soprano and tenor, alto and bass. Go!" Farther and farther, the harder it gets, "Four notes. Go!"

"You're dissonant!" Mrs. Campbell exclaimed, pointing at the girls sitting in front. I felt sorry for them. "Come here in front and show me what you got!" she ordered furiously.

The girls walked in front and they vocalized individually. I heard harsh voices, cracking. Maybe it's hard to sing in front, maybe.

"Now you know why I let them sit there," Keith said, grinning. "Wanna try sitting there?"

 "No thanks."

 ♂  ♥  ♀

The practice finally ended and I'm so drained. We did a great job practicing lately. I'm kinda loving being an alto. Our tone is awesome. Starting on low notes then climbing up to middle notes. It sounds splendid. I felt guilt inside me. I pondered alto is fun.