Chapter 10.9 - Act 10: D.C. 9 (2/2)
“In fact if you think about it, a human body is a huge instrument. Think of a violin. They are quite small compared to our bodies and yet they make quite the sound.”
“Nn…”
“So if we use all the empty resonating chambers in our body like when playing a violin, how loud would the sound be?”
Han Dasom tilted her head and asked.
“Then what do we have to do?”
Raising my lips, I gave her a warm smile and an obvious answer.
“Practise. Until we can use all the resonating chambers.”
“…”
After that, a full-scale practice of Han Dasom and I began. First, I edited her song until she could let out a louder sound and matched her voice tone with mine, so that it sounded nice when we sang together.
This way, there would be a synergistic effect if we sang in a duet and thus, we would be able to get higher marks during the interview.
We then picked a few potential songs to practise, and when the song for the Subscription Concert was announced, we sang that together without even taking a break.
And before long, the interview day that would decide the main vocals of the Subscription Concert was upon us.
*
Glancing at the empty hall, the teacher in charge of freshmen students turned towards Song Muntak with a nod.
“I think the preparations are mostly done with, principal. The kids are all ready as well so I think we can start now.”
“Hmm, I see.”
With a satisfied smile, Song Muntak stared at the stage located in front of the hall. With a camera in the middle and speakers as well as other electronic devices, the interview marking the start of the important event, Subscription Concert, was ready to start anytime.
As Song Muntak watched all that with a content smile, the freshmen teacher scratched his hair and asked.
“But by the way principal, I heard you would be recording the preparations of the concert this time around?”
Turning towards the curious teacher, Song Muntak crossed his arms.
“You’re right. Youtube’s quite popular these days right? There was that youtube contest or something last time and… maybe some of the teachers enjoyed it – they suggested we film a few things.”
He then touched his chin in thought.
He hadn’t been expecting much from mere videos uploaded on youtube but… the reactions were more positive than he thought. There were quite a lot of views and more importantly, the fact that Future Arts High’s reputation was increasing was a satisfactory thing from his perspective as a principal.
That was the reason he decided to film more videos in spite of it being slightly bothersome. Listening to his explanations, the teacher in charge of the grade nodded his head.
“I guess we should warn the students to not say anything weird.”
“Well… yes I guess.”
Song Muntak caressed his chin with a nod and turned back towards the stage. Seeing the microphones placed here and there, he smiled.
To make sure he could follow the recent trends, he had decided on a number from a musical for the concert. He wanted to keep classical music for everyone, and especially the youngsters, not as an exclusive product of old people.
That was one of the reasons he decided to use microphones for this concert.
‘Our school’s kids won’t be used to musicals yet…’
And going through the accompaniment played by a hundred musicians was extremely difficult with a song they weren’t accustomed to. Even though the opera department students were outstanding, it would be difficult this time around.
Therefore, he decided to use mics and besides, there was no reason not to use microphones since they were singing a piece from a musical.
‘Now, I guess I should start preparing for the interview.’
Leaning back onto the chair, Song Muntak searched through the papers in his hand in relaxation. He went through the files which had imprinted faces of freshmen opera students – Lee Suh-ah, Han Dasom, Kim Wuju, Jun Shihyuk and Jo Yunjae.
After going through the files once, Song Muntak rested his chin on his hand and thought.
Hmm, although there was an unexpected result during the Prac High-achievers Concert last time…
‘Isn’t it too obvious this time?’
Shrugging his shoulders, Song Muntak signalled to the teacher standing next to him to allow students inside.
*
One thing that had been outside my expectations was the choice of song. It definitely had a different melody compared to the song from my memories, and was completely unexpected.
…I who had based my practices on my past memories was therefore very frustrated but on a positive note, it was fortunate for us, because it was a musical song which Han Dasom and I were familiar with.
It was probably a song which those who only studied arias and art songs wouldn’t know so we, who knew about the song beforehand, were comparatively better off.
“No problem right, Dasom?”
“Nn!”
“Good.”
In a good mood, I decided to observe my contestants and first off was Lee Suh-ah standing next to us. Pulling Han Dasom along with me, I approached her and threw her a greeting.
“Did you prepare a lot?”
After throwing a glance, Lee Suh-ah was about to indifferently turn her face towards me but when she caught sight of Han Dasom, her eyes remained on her.
Han Dasom raised her hand with an awkward smile but after glancing at us two, Lee Suh-ah responded in a rather thorny tone.
“You guys are always together these days, aren’t you?”
“Huh?”
When I gave her a curious look from the sudden irrelevant question, Lee Suh-ah seemed surprised by her own words and came to herself after opening her eyes widely.
“…It’s none of your business. What have you been even doing these days; I can’t even find you. Are you practising properly?”
Hearing the rapid questions leaving her mouth, I shrugged my shoulders and pulled Han Dasom forward.
“I’m busy these days preparing for this with her. Even if you fail this interview, don’t say anything to her okay?”
“…”
After staring at Han Dasom for a while, Lee Suh-ah bit her lips and turned her head away with a hmph.
Why so cranky?
Anyways, I came to make sure their relationship wasn’t soiled after the interview but it seemed that it wasn’t very helpful.
It was then that a shout reached my ears.
“Guys! Let’s enter slowly in one line.”
As the teacher pushed the door wide open with those words and the students began entering the hall one by one, I focused on the gap between the door and the teacher. Through that, I could see the brightly lit hall and the stage in front.
‘It’s starting.’
I looked into Han Dasom’s eyes for a bit before carrying my feet inside.