The moment I got home, I told my mother that I didn't want my brother LUKA to sleep in my room anymore because I wanted to be alone. She agreed that LUKA would sleep with her from now on. From the time he was little until today, my brother has always been afraid of sleeping alone, being alone, and the dark. My mother then told my brothers that the MISS said there was going to be a concert for them to play the violin.
MOTHER: PETER and LUKA, MISS AIDA said there's a concert next month and she asked for both of you to play.
LUKA: But Mom, I just started going and I only know Caramelo Dulce and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
MOTHER: That's why the teacher's other students are also going to play those songs.
LUKA: Oh, okay. So what are we going to do?
MOTHER: Practice. It has to be perfect, especially for you, LUKA, because there will be very few kids your age playing next to you.
LUKA: NOOO!
MOTHER: That's why you must practice a lot.
MY SECOND CLASS OF THE MONTH
(It's worth noting that rehearsals were between Monday and Wednesday, meaning weekday afternoons, because I went to school in the morning since the end-of-month break was over and a new month had begun).
That day, the MISS said I had to go to rehearsal. When I arrived, I met a girl my age. She was the one who opened the door because the MISS was looking at some things on the second floor of her house.
ME: Good afternoon.
?????: Good afternoon.
ME: What is your name, girl?
GRACIA: My name is GRACIA, and yours?
ME: My name is ANGELO, though you can call me ANGEL if you want.
GRACIA: OK, ANGEL, nice to meet you.
ME: Likewise… hey, where is MISS AIDA?
GRACIA: She is...
MISS: GRACIA, keep practicing!
GRACIA: Yes, MISS… see, there she is.
ME: Ah yes, I hear her now. What song are you on?
GRACIA: I'm on Song of the Wind, Book 1.
ME: You're still on Book 1? But you're the same age as me, right? 8 years old.
GRACIA: Yes, I am the same age.
ME: And what age did you start?
GRACIA: I started at...
(The MISS comes downstairs and interrupts GRACIA).
MISS: Aha! So you've been here and haven't said anything.
ME: No, MISS, it's just that I just arrived.
MISS: Sure, if I hadn't come down you'd still be talking about life. Quick, less talk and more action! ANGEL: Book 2, Long Long Ago and Hunter's Chorus. GRACIA: Song of the Wind, Allegretto, Caramelo Dulce, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Get to practicing! I'll be upstairs, I'll come down to listen to you in a bit. Oh, right, ANGEL, first warm up on the second string A (LA) and then play the songs.
ME: Yes, MISS.
(She goes upstairs).
ME: The MISS is a bit strict with you, isn't she?
GRACIA: It's because I've been with her since I was 7, and it takes me longer to get a song right.
(At that moment, I understood that for some it was easier to play, like for me, than for others. Besides, I come from a family of musicians, from my great-grandfather the violinist down to me. I also understood that for some it comes naturally—they have a "gift"—and for others, it takes a lot of practice to improve their technique, whereas I don't usually practice any song and I still get them right).
MISS: I don't hear you playing!
ME: Yes, MISS, we're starting now.
(I GRAB MY VIOLIN AND PLAY). LA-SI-DO-RE-DO-SI-LA-SI-DO-RE-DO-SI-LA-SI-DO-RE-MI-RE-DO-SI-LA-SI-DO-RE-MI-RE-DO-SI-LA (Increasing the speed every time).
MISS: Very good, ANGEL… GRACIA, play Twinkle Twinkle.
GRACIA: OK, MISS. (She grabs her violin). LA-LA-MI-MI-FA-FA-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA-MI-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-MI-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-LA-LA-MI-MI-FA-FA-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA
MISS: OK, but you are playing very slowly.
After that, the MISS came over and we started playing with her. When we finished practicing, our mothers came, and we said goodbye.
ME: See you later.
GRACIA: See you later, ANGELO.
(Gracia leaves with her mother).
MISS: Oh, Mrs. Ceci, this Tuesday everyone is meeting at my house to organize the instruments: the pianos, violins, and if possible, the drums with guitars. So please, I'm asking you to send them this Tuesday, but this time rehearsal will end at 7:00, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.
MOTHER: Yes, MISS, I'll send them.
THE GENERAL REHEARSAL
I left school, went home, had lunch, did my homework, played, and then got my violin ready. I thought that when I arrived everyone would already be there and most would be professionals.
WE ARRIVED WITH MY BROTHERS AT THE MISS'S HOUSE. (We knock on her door).
ME: Knock, knock. Is anyone home?
When I was about to leave with my brother, the MISS came out and said:
MISS: Sorry for the delay, I was drying my hair. Come in. Wait here until I finish drying my hair.
US: OK, MISS, we'll wait for you here.
A LITTLE WHILE PASSED AND THERE WAS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.
MISS: Open the door!
US: Yes!
When we opened the door, a lot of students of all ages had arrived, from 8 to 20 years old. I saw about 6 violinists and one pianist arrive. When the MISS came down, she said:
MISS: See? Everyone is here. Take out your violins and warm up. Oh, and take these music stands.
EVERYONE: Yes, MISS.
When the pianist took out his piano, it was something new and strange to me—an instrument with black and white keys played with two hands. All the violinists, 9 in total, took out our violins and played the 2nd string A (LA). LA-SI-DO-RE-MI-RE-DO-SI-LA-SI-DO-RE-DO-SI-LA-SI-DO-RE-MI-RE-DO-SI-LA-SI-DO-RE-MI
When we finished playing that, the MISS applauded and said:
MISS: Wow, such coordination! Everyone did it at the same speed. Let's go with Caramelo Dulce. LA-LA-LA-LA-MI-MI-MI-MI-FA-FA-FA-FA-MI-MI-MI-MI-MI-MI-RE-RE-RE-RE-DO-DO-DO-SI-SI-SI-SI-LA-LA
MISS: Now, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. LA-LA-MI-MI-FA-FA-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA-LA-MI-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA
MISS: Excellent! Now with Allegretto. Very good. Now with Hunter and Long Long Ago.
When we finished, the MISS said:
MISS: That wasn't bad. Someone fell behind. Who was it? Da capo (again)!
(WE FINISH PLAYING FOR THE SECOND TIME).
MISS: No, again. Someone fell behind.
ME: (I grab the sleeve of a 20-year-old man/student). SIR! How can you let a kid like me beat you? You are falling behind!
MISS: That is… correct. He was falling behind.
MAN: It's just that I'm new at learning this instrument.
(I understood that age doesn't matter; if you decide or set your mind to it, you can learn anything. What matters is practice).
MISS: Well, boys, the rehearsal is over, but today is my niece's birthday, so play Happy Birthday so we can have a little party.
US: Yes, MISS!
At that moment, her niece and family members of CAMILA (that's the little girl's name) came down.
PLAY: RE-SI-RE-SI-LA-FA-SI-LA-SOL-MI-SOL-LA-SI-SOL-RE-RE-SI-LA-SI-SOL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: SOL-SOL-LA-SOL-DO-SI-SOL-SOL-LA-SOL-RE-DO-SOL-MI-SOL-DO-SOL-SOL-SI-LA-SOL-SOL-LA-SOL-RE-DO
After playing, the MISS thanked everyone for coming and gave us candy and cake with other appetizers. However, most of the snacks had pork or hot dogs, which my brothers and I couldn't eat because we are Adventists. Although the MISS knew this and gave us Lay's chips.
THE CONCERT
After many rehearsals, we were all ready for the concert. When I arrived, I saw there were many people. This was going to be the first time I would play in front of so many people. The worst part was that the concert was free entry and it was right next to the main park of Chiclayo (one of the busiest).
I remember they called us to the front.
ANNOUNCER: Now we invite the students of teacher AIDA.
MISS: Good afternoon, parents and everyone in general. Today we are going to play some songs. We have been rehearsing for several weeks, so I hope you enjoy it! (EVERYONE APPLAUDS)
MISS: Now we invite the musicians to come forward.
At that moment, I sat in the center and GRACIA sat next to me since we were almost the same height, and the rest of the students sat around us.
ME: Are you nervous? Because I am!
GRACIA: Yes, I am nervous too.
PETER: Stop talking, it's about to start.
MISS: To begin, we are going to play Caramelo Dulce, one of the easiest songs for the students. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!
When the MISS gave the signal, we started playing.
CARAMELO DULCE: LA-LA-LA-LA-MI-MI-MI-MI-FA-FA-FA-FA-MI-MI-MI-MI-RE-RE-RE-RE-DO-DO-DO-DO-SI-SI-SI-LA-LA-LA-LA RE-RE-RE-RE-DO-DO-DO-DO-DO-SI—SI-SI-SI-LA-LA-MI-MI-MI-RE-RE-RE-RE-DO-DO-DO-SI-SI-SI-LA-LA LA-LA-LA-LA-MI-MI-MI-MI-FA-FA-FA-FA-MI-MI-MI-MI-RE-RE-RE-RE-DO-DO-DO-DO-SI-SI-SI-LA-LA-LA-LA RE-RE-RE-RE-DO-DO-DO-DO-DO-SI—SI-SI-SI-LA-LA-MI-MI-MI-RE-RE-RE-RE-DO-DO-DO-SI-SI-SI-LA-LA LA-LA-LA-LA-MI-MI-MI-MI-FA-FA-FA-FA-MI-MI-MI-MI-RE-RE-RE-RE-DO-DO-DO-DO-SI-SI-SI-LA-LA-LA-LA
MISS: Very good! (EVERYONE APPLAUDS)
MISS: Now we are going to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, a song most of us have heard, perhaps to put a baby to sleep. So let's begin. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!
ESTRELLITA DONDE ESTAS: LA-LA-MI-MI-FA-FA-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA-MI-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-MI-MI-RE-RE-D-DO-SI-LA-LA-MI-MI-FAA-FA-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA LA-LA-MI-MI-FA-FA-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA-MI-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-MI-MI-RE-RE-D-DO-SI-LA-LA-MI-MI-FAA-FA-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA LA-LA-MI-MI-FA-FA-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA-MI-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-MI-MI-RE-RE-D-DO-SI-LA-LA-MI-MI-FAA-FA-MI-RE-RE-DO-DO-SI-SI-LA
MISS: A round of applause for the students! (APPLAUSE)
MISS: Now a short break and then we will continue. (She hands the microphone to the announcer).
ANNOUNCER: We will start in a moment, but if you like, you can go to the food machines or the games for children. We start in 10 minutes.
(We go with the MISS to a special area for musicians).
MISS: Very well, keep it up.
After that, we played Long Long Ago and Hunter's Chorus (from Suzuki Book 2). And then a special part for the MISS and my brother PETER and BRENDA.
MISS: Now I will play Spring (La Primavera) with my most advanced students.
LA-R-LA-SI-DO-RE-LA-RE-LA-SI-DO-RE-LA-RE.SI.LA.SOL.LA.SOL.FA
After they finished playing, the organizers and the MISS said a few words to the audience, and the concert ended. But before that, the MISS took all the musicians to a private area and gave us bags with many candies, cake, and soda (Inka Cola).
That night, my grandmother who was in Lima called to say she was going to Chiclayo to see her mother, my great-grandmother, who was still alive. They were 5 siblings and took turns to go and take care of my great-grandmother, who was about 80 or 90 years old, I don't know exactly.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR REACHING THIS NUMBER OF VIEWS! THE NEXT CHALLENGE IS TO REACH 8,500 VIEWS FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER!