Chapter 18 - 18: Music Class II
Soon after, the room was filled with students. Serena sat on the seat beside the pathway, on her left were Milly, Gizel then Via. Meanwhile, Serena noticed that Emily was asked to sit in front by the teacher, so that she was seating on the right side of Geoffrey, having the pathway of the stairs between them. To the left of Geoffrey were Kylo, Charlton then Leonard. It seems like the mood amongst them was not so good as they have not spoken since they sat down.
"Good afternoon everyone. I am Felix Brahms, your music instructor. As I can see a lot of new faces, I assume that most of you are taking this subject in this school for the first time. I understand that everyone here has mastery, or basic at the very least, knowledge in using musical instruments. There are three main objectives in this class. First, is to ensure that you have complete grasp of the instrument that you're using. Second, is to make you capable of accompaniment. Lastly, our end goal is you being able to compose your own music. Although these can be done on your own, I see here 40 students listed in this class. Thus, I will later have to group you all in pairs."
The teacher called a student who raised her arm.
"Sir Felix, do we get to choose our partner? Or will you decide it for us?"
"It would be nice if you were to group yourselves, but based on my experience, it would be more fruitful to pair you up based on your skills. It is not that I am exercising any discrimination by pairing up students of the same caliber, but anything other than that will be disastrous. Is that alright with everyone?"
A resounding yes filled the room.
"Good. Then, since our class is a 3-hour subject and only meeting once a week, it would be a waste to dismiss you all early. So right now, I wish to proceed with a short introduction to our course by asking a demonstration from students. First, can we have a volunteer to show their skill in any musical instrument?"
No one dared to raise their hand. Whether for not wanting to show their skill or just not wanting to be judged, one can't say. After a while, Geoffrey was volunteered by Kylo.
"Sir, Geoffrey here wants to volunteer!" Kylo shouted.
"Wonderful! Geoffrey, please come forward." Felix said.
Geoffrey wanted to protest but can only move towards the stage. There was a piano, a violin, a cello, a guitar, and an unsanitary looking flute on the stage. He chose the violin.
Standing in front, he started playing J.S. Bach: Partita No. 1 in B Minor. Afterwards, he bowed his head to everyone.
"Good, very good. That is the level of mastery I want everyone to achieve!" Felix complimented as he clapped his hand.
"No can do sir, you think we can still live if we want to achieve that?" Kylo jokingly said in a loud voice.
"Everyone should live in Eudaimonia as Aristotle said Kylo! So do not be discouraged." Felix replied.
Meanwhile, Milly elbowed Serena. "Well, he is indeed talented I must say. Despite his attitude, he do have the looks and now I can see why a lot of girls also like him."
"You haven't seen my Charlton yet. You just wait." Serena said as she grinned.
"Now, this time, I want to give an example of accompaniment. Accompaniment is that which provides support for the main themes of a an instrumental piece. There are many different styles and types of accompaniment in different genres and styles of music. A solo singer can accompany herself by playing a guitar or piano while she sings, and in some rare cases, a solo singer can even accompany himself or herself just using his or her voice and body. Alternatively, the accompaniment to a vocal melody or instrumental solo can be provided by a , ranging in size from a duo ; a trio; a quartet or even more." Felix explained.
"I believe that not many of you have tried this as it is quite advanced. So, do we have any volunteers?" He continued
"Sir, sir! Charlton here volunteers!" again, Kylo volunteered his friend.
"Kylo, you keep volunteering your friends. Do you want to come up the stage yourself?"
"If I had that much skill, I would! But you know me sir!"
"Alright. Please come forward, Charlton. I hope you don't mind, but I wish to volunteer Ms. Emily as your accompaniment. I have been wanting to hear you two since I heard her at church." Felix said smiling from ear to ear. "Ms. Emily?"
"Yes, sir. I hope not to disappoint you..." Emily replied humbly as she smiled at Charlton.
Charlton smiled back as he moved to the stage choosing the cello. Emily sat on the stool in front of the piano.
Serena wanted to storm forward. How can this happen? How dare their teacher pair them together? She was wanting to volunteer but she didn't even get the chance!
"Can you both please play Pachelbel's Canon in D? That's my favorite!" Felix remarked.
'I'm so gonna kill that fat teacher. How dare he ask my Charlton play Pachebel's with Emily? Are they getting married? Never on my watch!' Serena thought. Her ears and nose almost emitting smoke.
"Hey Serena, your loverboy is playing but why is your face looking like that? This song is like a confession, isn't it romantic?" Milly whispered beside her.
'romantic my ass! If I were the one playing, yes, sure! But this song will become the catalyst of them being partners in this class for the whole year! Never Never NEVER on my watch is that going to happen!'
"Don't mind me, Milly, I'm just concentrating on something."
"Don't tell me you're jealous over nothing, sure Emily's pretty, but you're the school goddess. Anyway, I've got to say that your pick sure is great in playing the cello."
Serena just nodded.
When Charlton and Emily finished, there was a resounding clap from the class.
"Very good! That is what everyone needs to learn. To be in complete sync with your partner! It might seem easy, but trust me, it takes a lot of skill and talent to be able to produce something as beautiful as that duet!"
Emily blushed beautifully and Charlton with his head bowed moved to sit back, not even peeking at Serena.
Serena only felt better because she didn't see him to look at Emily even once while playing and after. As if saying that the music they produced together meant nothing.
"Now, our third goal is composing your own music. I wish to ask for a volunteer, but I think that this is too much to ask for during the first day of class."
Serena could not stop herself from raising her hand. She is so not letting this chance slip away.
"Yes? The beautiful lady at the back?"
"I volunteer sir." Serena said, as all the students looked at her in surprise.
"Marvelous! Please come forward! Miss?"
"Serena Maxwell, Sir."
Serena smiled as she slowly walked down the stairs. When she reached the stage, she gracefully sat in front of the Piano. The piano was placed sideways in front of Emily, thus, the audience has a clear view of the one playing. Earlier, a lot of boys were ensnared with Emily's pure and innocent beauty. But now, with Serena sitting there, their breath was just taken away. She just stole Emily's spotlight in the dreams they will be having tonight.
"Okay Ms. Serena, may you please?"
Serena placed her hands on the piano as she breathed deeply. She's actually not that skilled with the piano, she has ever only memorized 3 classical pieces in her lifetime. However, what she has with her is a song list from the 20th to the 21st century. Thinking it through, as she has already been quite rusty, she can only choose to play one of the simplest and the easiest to like by all ages.
Serena started playing and can't help herself from singing the lyrics...
Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you
When she was done playing, silence filled the room until Felix shouted "Bravo!!!!!!!" Then thunderous applause filled the room. Truly deserving a standing ovation.
Serena even had the decency to blush.
'I'm so sorry Elvis, it seems like this grandma can only plagiarize your song. I'll just light you a candle tonight before I sleep.' Serena told herself as she smiled her most winning smile and curtsied to everyone.
TBC