It was quiet sunny day in the Music Room. Being away from everyone and everything, I made my way toward the piano. In preparing, I took a deep breath and cracked my fingers. I put my fingers on a few keys to the left and did the same to the right side.
While playing the melody, I felt the calm music embrace in my mind. Relaxing with my fingertips on the keys, I played at slow and steady pace. Out of all the instruments, the piano was the most difficult. And I did have my share of difficulties playing this instrument through my college years.
It was just matter of taking your sweet time and memorizing the keys. Off course patients was not my strong-suit at the time. Other great musicians took an incredible amount of years to master the piano. I studied it from college to university.
After the song concluded, I heard clapping from behind. It was Peorth greeting me again. "Shouldn't you be fixing up those stiffs at the Nurse's offices?" I asked, not proud of being found out.
"Oh don't be so bashful on my part Juno; I always knew you had talent. You don't have to rant about it." Peorth sat by me as I got wif of her perfume. "You play nicely, but you were a little off on the last few keys."
"That's just great. And here I thought I truly got it down after I graduated from the University." I pounded my hand on the keys.
Peorth grabbed one of my hand's and observed it up close. I felt her nice soft fingers rubbing against the back of my hand. Feeling flustered, I turned my eyes up at the ceiling.
"Soft hands like this should not be treated so rough Juno. Take great care of them." Peorth complimented me.
"You really think so?"
"I know so, trust me." Peorth rose up and glance at the window. "And maybe you can teach these kids to use their hands properly like you do, especially that Chiharu girl."
I watched her eating with her friend's at lunchtime. It seems like normal conversation with few laughs between them. "I guess I'll admit that girl does have some potential. Out of all the students, she's doesn't try to push too hard."
As the final bell ringed and everybody left, Chiharu was still in the music room practicing her violin. After a couple of notes, I went in to interrupt her. "You're off; you need to play it more slowly like snail, not like an ant." I instructed her. "And try adjusting your Pegbox or the impact will cause it to snap."
Chiharu nodded as she tilted the top strings on her Violin. Then on the second round, she started to play more fluently. I caught her hand and said, "Move at slow pace and don't try to rush or force it."
"Uh yes sir," Chiharu replied.
Now she was playing more smoothly. I was now hearing music for the first time within her. Perhaps, Peorth was right, she does have a gift. "Sensei did you learn to play the Violin as well when you were my age?"
"That's stuff was child's play for me…" I replied in cocky tone. I cleared my throat to correct myself. "I mean it also took some time for me. The Violin is an instrument with a smooth flow to its rhythm." I tapped the key on the piano. "Just like this piano, it requires the steady use of fingertips." I tapped another few keys. "Do you get it?"
"I think so." Chiharu said taking in that knowledge. Little did I know Peorth was watching me happily through the crack of the Music Room door?
"Violin's are constructed through different strings using gut, Nylon 6 or other synthetic steel strings. And thus it creates a nice rhythm flow. Like other string instruments, it requires careful fingering."
"Careful finger flow, I got it."Chiharu nodded in reply.
The next evening as I taught the class, I halted their performance for few minutes. By their sighs, and annoyed faces, they were expecting another insult or criticism to be thrown their way. "Well class your performance isn't getting any better, so I figure you'll need some motivation." I announced to them. "So therefore, we are going on a Field Trip."
Already this got the class talking amongst themselves in confusion. "You heard me. We're taking a Field Trip." This got everyone excited, especially Chiharu. "So prepare yourselves Friday morning, because class will not be session, but you will be required to take notes, got it."
"Yes sensei," everyone replied in unison.
When the day came and having got permission from the principle, I stood waiting for my students to get ready for their trip. They were very excited to get out of the classroom like it was a prison. I'm guessing they didn't have good instructor back then. The poor kids.
"Remember what I said everyone, you'll be learning a lot as you go along." I reminded. I noticed Peorth coming on the bus. "What are you doing here?"
"Come now, I can't resist the chance to really see what you're planning with these kids." Peorth said.
As the bus rode through the two lane highway, I sat to myself quietly. Everyone else on the other hand chatted with each other like typical teens. They either talk about lessons, current events, styles, video games, manga etc. but that is very natural of teens to enjoy their carefree lives. I kinda admired them as I glanced back at them.
Peorth stroked her hair back inquiring, "So where do you plan on taking these kids by the way, a museum?
"Not exactly, I'm taking them somewhere to really stimulate their minds and give them inspiration. If they want to get somewhere, they need the right push."
"You speak from experience, because it seems like you're all about pushing."
"Very funny, but they will improve after this encounter." I said blushing. "Bottom-line, they may be good as a band."
Peorth smiled at me. "Is that hope I'm feeling out of you Juno?"
I went silent after her response. But I guess she already knew my answer.
"We're here just like you said," the Bus Driver informed.
As we exit the bus, the kids formed different straight lines. I cleared my throat making my brief announcement. "Alright kids, today we are venturing in the Hall of Musicians. In here is where lots of different music composers are remembered from different nations. Each and every one of you will be required to take notes. So don't think just because you're here doesn't mean this is your free day. With that being said, partner up and stay together, no slacking off. Everyone got that."
"Yes sensei," the said unison.
As we ventured inside the huge hall, we discovered many ancient instruments that dated back in the eighteen century. On the walls were all pictures of famous musicians from all over the globe. From Ludwig-Van-Beethoven to Leopold-Anthony-Stokowski, we explored their different styles and genres of music.
"In the romantic Era, there existed many great composers. Each and every one of them started from scratch and then made their way through history." I instructed the class. I pointed to picture of a famous Japanese man. "Take him for example; he is Hiromori Hayashi, the man who was responsible for composing Japan's national anthem. And it left its way onto history."
"Who is that sensei?" one student called out pointing to an old American soldier.
"Why that is John-Philips-Sousa. He was an American composer and conductor for the American society known very well for American Military and Patriotic Marches. 'The March King,' was what he was very well known for." I pointed to another picture of an old composer. "And that is Pyotr-Ilyich-Tchaikovsky, a Russian composer known for his works on the fairy tales Sleeping Beauty, the Nutcracker, and Swan Lake." The female students were amazed when I mention fairly tale.
"That's amazing," Chiharu admired.
I smiled as I presented more people in the Hall of Fame. "From Classical Era, Medieval, and Renaissances Era, these were different periods that brought form through music throughout the centuries as it developed over then. That was before the age of technology."
After presenting more history of the background of Opera and Orchestra, we watched an hour long video on the evolution of music. I'd admit myself when I first studied music, I was not perfect either, but it did necessarily mean they could not be good. Peorth and I watched the happiness on their bright young faces. For now on, they were in their own world discovering new things.
After a long day of teaching and a nice dinner, I passed out on the wooden floor. I held the back of my hand on my forehead, staring at the ceiling. My eyes felt like resting as I blinked constantly. I wanted to shut my eyes. A second later, Peorth approached me in her usual manner.
She sat next to my head. Next, she poked my face in amusement. "You must be exhausted after a long day."
"What was your first clue?" I inquired turning my face away from hers.
Peorth continued to poke my cheeks. "Don't play coy with me. I know you liked teaching them new things. I don't need to be a mind reader to see that."
"Don't be ridiculous. Like I said before, they just needed the right shove from me. And after today's, I'm sure that knowledge is in their puny brains." I yawned afterwards. "That damn woman, why did she have to assign me a job like this?" I was beginning to fall asleep soon after. "This is so…unfair."
As I fainted asleep, Peorth shout me close on her lap. I felt her nice warm embrace in my sleep. I didn't want to admit it, but maybe I was growing fond of teaching these kids. But I guess it's that pride of mind. Peorth rubbed on the vastness of my sleeping face.
"You're a good person Juno."