A/N:
In response to the guest reviewers:
I definitely agree on "Breath of Heaven" being quite the beautiful piece! And I wish we could've wore ball gowns when performing it. Furthermore, I absolutely agree, in regards to hearing the soloist and what your choir director said. I hope I give enough detail in this next chapter to give the auditioning people more of a voice :)
For the second guest reviewer, I certainly agree that the lyrics would have to be modified if Jimmy were to try to sing because it's definitely more suited for a female singer. And, Anna definitely does fit personality wise. As to her voice, that will be revealed in the next chapter ;) :)
Regular Author's Note:
Now, who's ready for some proper auditions? I realize now that I definitely should've put more detail into the previous auditions - something I intend to rectify with the next chapter.
In any case, to make up for the lack of audition detail, I offer you this chapter :)
_._
She had been making her through the main entrance and into the building when it had happened.
"Mrs. Hughes!" Rose had somehow spotted her teacher in the crowd of students. Why Rose was even here and milling about an hour before classes started was a mystery - though Elsie had a feeling she knew perfectly well why. "I was wondering if I could practice with you to prepare for the-"
"Oh, quite sorry, Rose!" If Elsie even heard the 's-word' before she got into her classroom, she would not be responsible for her actions. "I'm afraid I must attend a staff meeting that I'm already late for."
By staff meeting she meant hide away in Beryl's room before the rest of the female singers from Advanced Mixed found her.
_._
"Running away are you?" The band director guffawed at the sight of her friend.
"How did- What on Earth do you mean?"
"They could hear you banging the same notes unendingly all the way from the first floor, Elsie!" A chortle erupted from the woman this time, causing the choir teacher to shoot off an icy glare. "Someone wanted help rehearsing before they needed to sing, didn't they?"
Elsie maintained the frigid glare for a solid minute, but Beryl wouldn't stop laughing.
"You know, thirty years ago, we were them." She wiped a mirthful tear away. "Quite the role reversal, isn't it? I do feel sorry for poor Ms. Davis, the more I think about it."
That broke the ice.
Didn't bring a smile nor coax a laugh from the Scottish Dragon.
But, it did break the ice.
_._
"Are you ready to do battle today, Mr. Carson?" She needed to make a joke, hearing the bell that signaled the start of the lunch periods.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hughes, I didn't quite catch that. What did you say?"
"Never mind." She could already hear the first footsteps fall. "Auditioning students are coming."
"Quite correct you are, Mrs. Hughes." He paused, looking at her more closely. "Are you quite alright?"
"'Course I am." Just because she needed to avoid- have that staff meeting first thing in the morning didn't mean she couldn't face back-to-back auditions for another three class periods.
"Mr. Carson, Mrs. Hughes!"
It just figures that dodging her earlier meant that she'd be the first to audition.
"Hello, Rose. Are we to take it that you'd like to audition?"
_._
Rose had put up a good audition, that was true. Her voice contained a fair amount of forward motion and clarity to it, the notes were in her range, and it did sound pretty.
However, it also sounded like somewhat of a jazz rendition of what was definitely not supposed to be jazz. Furthermore, no matter how many attempts to take on the more serious mood the song required, her eyes hinted with innate happiness and her face held a warmth not fitting to the piece.
So, while there was definitely potential for future singing opportunities with the young lady, this didn't quite fit the bill.
"Ah, Jane. What brings you here today?"
_._
Jane Moorsum was one of the quieter second sopranos in the choir, one that could improvise and sight-sing far better than many. She even had a nice voice, one that could draw attention even in a cacophony if she so chose.
"And I wonder what I've done"
But it didn't feel like a genuine connection.
"Holy Father, you have come,"
There felt like there was sympathy to be had with her character, it did sound like her voice did convey the proper emotions - deep introspection, a hint of sorrow, and more.
But, it still didn't feel like it was right for her.
Something still didn't fit.
_._
"Miss O'Brien?" Elsie really had to talk to Mr. Carson about his habit of over-formalizing his interactions with the students. "How can we be of assistance today?"
"I'd like to re-audition for the solo." The young lady wasn't radiating with stubbornness per se, but there was a certain resilience that had her hold her ground.
"But, Sarah," Mrs. Hughes had to protest, "Students are only allowed one audition."
She felt the full force of the alto's piercing gaze cut into her for that remark.
"When my voice cracked yesterday, that wasn't because I couldn't sing the notes. It was only because I hadn't warmed up properly."
The teachers shared a look at this, knowing that as unfair as it may feel to Sarah, they couldn't just give her another chance when so many others have asked before.
"One moment, please." She had a possible compromise, but she needed to confer with her colleague. And, after quietly sharing the idea to him - having had to stand up on her tiptoes and practically whisper it into his ear - it only took a moment for Mr. Carson to make the final decision on the matter.
"Miss O'Brien- Sarah," The alto straightened up at the sound of her name, "We will give you two options."
"And they are?"
"You may choose to refrain from auditioning today," He gave her a moment, but she wasn't in the mood to just accept that.
"And the second option, Mr. Carson?"
"You may sing the solo today, but it will not be an audition. You will be singing the solo only to sing the solo. Your audition yesterday will be considered as your only audition."
It truly was not fair to give her a second chance when so many young women were not given that same option.
As Sarah thought it over for a moment, Mrs. Hughes checked the hallway for other potential auditioning singers.
So far so good.
When Elsie came back, Sarah was verbalizing her decision.
"I would like to sing the solo today." Mr. Carson raised an eyebrow at this, curious as to her reasoning. "As an alto, we're frequently shunned away from even thinking of trying these kinds of things. It's something practically from day one - that the sopranos are the only ones deserving of a solo.
"Well, I can sing it as well as any soprano. In fact, I can probably sing it better than most of the sopranos in the choir." It was debatable, but it was also raising O'Brien's confidence to speak as such. And sometimes confidence was all one really needed to hit those notes beautifully. "Which is why I'm going to sing it right now- if that's alright with you, Mrs. Hughes."
Elsie understood: having had to sing a multitude of parts in a variety of choirs, there was something to be said for being able to sing a wide range. It sometimes translated into being told to sing only lower notes just because others couldn't - not because those were your only notes. But, those decisions unfortunately tended to result in singers getting so used to singing parts that train one's mind to believe they shouldn't even try for the solos made for the soprano or tenor limelight - even if one does have the range.
It was something she'd be discussing with Mr. Carson. Something that Downton at least needed to take into consideration for future performances.
"Very well then." She cut off Mr. Carson before he could speak, knowing that he only had an inkling of Sarah's reasoning and would most likely object. "We will warm up before anything else."
This time, she didn't even open the binder - her hands already poised to play the appropriate notes.
_._
It had been the first time that Sarah had allowed herself to just sing. Yesterday, her audition had been filled with distractions - they showed in the fact that she couldn't focus on the song, that her voice cracked in the middle, that her breathing was off from the start, and that she just wasn't taking her time.
Today, Elsie finally understood why the alto was in Advanced Mixed. When the pressuring distractions were finally removed, she really did have a lovely voice.
And, just as Sarah had boasted right before-hand, she could indeed sing the part as well as any soprano.
_._
"Hello, Jimmy-"
"Hi, Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Carson."
"Jimmy, we talked about this." "What brings you here today, James?"
"Well, I know you said at lunch that the lyrics can't be modified for the solo. But, what if-"
"What have you two been discussing?" "Jimmy, I'm afraid this discussion will have to wait. Laura has already arranged to audition at this time."
"I did?" "Mrs. Hughes, have you been discussing soprano solos with my tenors ?" "Well, how long can her audition really take, Mrs. Hughes?"
"Yes, you did. And, I am perfectly happy to explain everything later, Mr. Carson. And, furthermore, there are several others who have also arranged to audition after Laura."
"I have?" "I certainly hope so, Mrs. Hughes." "They have?"
"Yes. To all of the above. Now, I do believe it's time to host an audition?"
_._
Much to the horror of both choir teachers, Beryl dropped by 402 with what looked like a plateful of inordinately delicious sandwiches. There had been no warning to her arrival, and there was clearly going to be no sympathy from the woman if her colleagues were to refuse her culinary gifts.
"So sorry for interrupting," The band director said in quite the unapologetic manner, having come into the room as Edna Braithwaite was about to sing. "But, you'll want these lovely teachers of yours to eat something before you sing."
"Mrs. Patmore!"
"I'm not saying that she's a bad singer, Mr. Carson - I'm sure she's lovely. I'm merely saying that you two have probably gone through two of the three lunch periods without eating!"
"Ber- Mrs. Patmore, you cannot just come barging into an audition!"
"Is that blood I see, Mrs. Hughes?" But, Beryl knew very well that her friend's fingers were not bleeding. That had merely been a joke that Elsie had mentioned to the band director, not something that had a high probability of occurring over the course of all these auditions.
"My apologies for the delay, Miss Braith- I mean Edna. But, if you could give us just one moment." Mr. Carson wasn't even giving the sandwiches a second glance. Rather, he was heading straight towards the piano. "What's this I hear about blood?"
"Oh, I take it back - I think she's fine. Must've been a trick of the light by the looks of it." Beryl said, joining them at the piano and holding out a sandwich to the man. He took it without a second thought, distracted by completing a full examination of Elsie's hands - so as to make sure there had been no mistakes made.
She felt a blush come upon her as he placed the food down and proceeded to have his hands sandwich hers, pun absolutely intended. He then continued to gently inspect her fingers for any sort of damage.
"Mr. Carson,"
"Even if there is no blood, I did hear your stomach growl about five minutes ago." He said knowingly, now offering the sandwich he took from Mrs. Patmore.
"In that instance," Hunger, not embarrassment, was clearly directing her voice. "I do believe I heard yours growl about fifteen minutes ago!"
"I am not the one who has had the pleasure of playing accompaniment when I'm supposed to be eating."
"I am not the one who is in charge of running all the choirs and habitually foregoes lunch because of it."
"Well, I-"
"It's a good thing I made enough sandwiches for the both of you, isn't it?"
_._
After sandwiches and Edna's solo, one where she couldn't quite maintain a straight face or a mirth-free tone - still recovering from watching the band director shove sandwiches down the throats of two of the most impressive staff members at Downton Academy - there finally came a lull.
"You know that if I hadn't brought any food, there'd still be girls coming into audition." Beryl began to pipe up, as the two teachers had started to look at her in disbelief - as though she couldn't have delayed her culinary efforts.
"Oh, Edith, have you come to audition today?" Elsie not-so-politely started ushering her friend towards the exit.
"I can take a hint, you know!" The band director called out as the door was being shut, "And you can bet on my dropping by after-school to make sure you both don't stay here till midnight!"
Although, the woman mischievously thought as she started back towards her domain, Maybe the two of them staying here till midnight would do them some good.
Of course, she wouldn't do such a thing to do the two.
She wasn't quite that desperate just yet.
_._
Edith had walked in with a mixture of hesitancy and determination, unsure of just how this would go but determined to at least give this a shot.
"I would indeed like to audition, yes." But, even as she stated this, it didn't feel like this was to be her solo. And that attitude showed. "Or, rather, I think I want to audition."
"Let's warm up before anything else." Mrs. Hughes instructed, guiding the girl over to the piano.
Elsie had long since taken note of the fact that Edith was the middle child of the Crawley sisters - as such, the young woman had a tendency to be overlooked. Whereas Mary was the performer in the making and Sybil was the advocate ready to take on the world, Edith had a more uncertain path.
Though, that didn't mean the middle Crawley sister couldn't give solos and this sort of thing a try.
After she was sufficiently warmed up, the young lady looked to her teachers for guidance. She hadn't auditioned for a solo before this.
"Just let me know whenever you're ready." Elsie wanted to offer more words of encouragement, but found that the soprano was already stuck in her own thoughts.
"I'm ready." But the posture that bordered on defeat, combined with the sinking expression, told the teachers otherwise.
"Are you quite sure, Edith?" Mr. Carson found himself asking, watching as his question brought her to raise her chin up to a more appropriate level.
"Yes. I'm ready."
Elsie began to play softly, watching the soprano take in a shaky breath.
"I have traveled"
It was breathy and hesitant, a little off on timing.
"Many moonless nights."
But, it also held the right notes.
"Cold and weary"
While she'd need to stop conveying the outright trepidation that was holding back her voice, Edith was doing quite well for her first solo audition.
"With a babe inside."
Edith sharply inhaled, tensing as she braced herself for what was next.
"And I won-"
The soprano stopped herself right before the high note, slumping in on herself.
"Try it again, Edith. Please."
But, she wasn't able to hear Elsie's request. Not really.
"I'm afraid that would be a pointless exercise, Mrs. Hughes." Edith straightened primly, clearly putting up old walls.
"Are you sure you don't wish to try one more time? If I'm not mistaken, this is your first audition for a solo." Mr. Carson gently spoke up, surprisingly the both of them with his unusually soft tone. Though, this was a grey offering they now delved into. If Sarah and the others weren't allowed to have a second audition, then why did Edith get that right?
"Quite sure, thank you." Turns out, they didn't need to worry about the ethics of such a decision: she was already heading back towards the exit.
"Edith," Elsie had to make one last attempt to get through to the girl, before the soprano walked away with the belief that she should never try again. "Since you technically never finished the solo, you are more than welcome to return after-school today and try one more time."
She paused in the doorway, with her back still to them.
"Thank you." The murmur was meek, not containing much hope.
In short, it was very unlikely that Edith would be attempting this again today.
Fortunately, Elsie was willing to keep trying to encourage her in this regard. The older woman had seen many a singer try something like this once, and decide that it was far too much for them. That they were better in the background, that they didn't deserve to try to be in the limelight.
Well, she was of the belief that one should try. That they should take effective notes on what didn't go so great, and try again. That progress can happen - it just takes perseverance, practice, hard work, patience, and the ability to see what's truly effective.
After all, she had been a farm girl from Argyll who was told many discouraging things about performing right from the start. And, let's just say that - over the last thirty years or so - being that farm girl was not who she was, not anymore.
But, as Edith left the second fourth floor, Elsie was reminded that - just as she was no longer that farm girl - Edith was not her.
_._
It was with a patient attitude that Mr. Carson waited for any last-minute soloists to come sailing through the doors of 402. After all, this was their last chance to give the opportunity a shot before the opportunity was officially over.
But, after waiting forty minutes for them, Charles deemed that enough time to leave a note on the door instead of continuing to wait. He then proceeded to head over to 403 so as to observe today's a cappella rehearsal.
If anyone wanted his attention so they could audition, they could knock on the door of 403 and he would promptly step out of the rehearsal. He wouldn't even take Mrs. Hughes away from her students in the process. After all, it's not as though he hadn't learned the solo accompaniment over the last two days simply by listening.
And, if it saved her sanity as well as her fingertips, then he'd do whatever needed to be done.
_._
A/N: When it came to the auditions, I hope you enjoyed them. I didn't make them all perfect because that's never how it really goes. Though, if you felt a character would have done better in an audition, let me know and definitely feel free to elaborate. If I ever do any sort of spin-off down the road, I'd like to keep it in mind.
Now, a note about singing/voices before we call it a day. While it is true that there certainly can be a difference between someone singing and that same person speaking, I find that the speaking voice illuminates a person's range. That it can inform a person as to their range. For example, I thought I couldn't sing high notes until my voice teacher heard me giggle a higher note than I'd previously sung. She then later had me singing notes I had once deemed impossible because she knew I could hit them.
And, in regards to singing versus speaking, some forms of singing actually require you to "speak" (think modern Broadway shows, Barbershop, and equivalents). What I've found is that some of society has an expectation that there must be a difference - that singing must sound "prettier" or "unique" to make it stand out from speaking. But, sometimes there doesn't need to be a difference. Furthermore, sometimes the only difference is that you're putting a musical note to your voice that's not normally there.
Now, I do understand there's a lot more to it than just that. But, I could probably write a bit of a paper on the matter if I'm not too careful - so it's better to just call it a day here and wish you all a wonderful rest of your day!