Together [You & I]

5 | Partnership (1)

With the business of school, the concert and the wedding, time passed by quickly and soon the month had come and gone. It was the final week of the semester, it was the week where they would be performing their collaboration. The showcase would be happening over two days, and the order would be random. Two days ago, each pair randomly drew lots to decide the order. Rona, Seokhoon, Ryo and Seungho were on the 2nd day, while everyone else was on the first.

Juilliard School, New York

Today was the first day of the showcase, Seungho would be performing with a senior Voice student. After So Hyun did that kiss in front of her, she decided to back off. It also helped that Seungho had told her that he was in a happy relationship, and she realised she was barking up the wrong tree. Unlike another person, she at least knew when to quit. Things had remained professional between them. George had partnered with a 3rd year piano major, while Stephanie and Yoo Jung both partnered with a 3rd year violinist and piano major respectively.

The rest who were not performing today, were waiting outside the performance hall, ready to be let into the venue. The gang were being entertained by Jong Hyeop, who kept walking around in circles. He was nervous on behalf of Yoo Jung, and Seokhoon and the rest were really enjoying seeing him freak out. Yoo Jung will do well right? I mean, I gave her a tumblr full of hot tea. I hope her voice is okay...

Ryo eventually took pity on Jong Hyeop and decided to help calm him down. The announcement over the P.A came on, asking the guests and students to proceed inside the venue. The gang sat down and waited for the showcase to begin. 5 minutes later, the lights dimmed and Prof Clark appeared on stage. He welcomed the guests and the students. As this is the final assignment of this module, naturally this performance will be evaluated. There is a special panel of judges who will be present both today and tomorrow. The panel consists of not just classical musicians but also artists from various genres.

The rules of the showcase are rather simple, each pair would get a maximum of 20 minutes to present their piece. This piece can be any kind of piece, it need not necessarily be a classical piece, it can even be a modern pop song but rearranged in a manner that is decided by the pair. The students are given creative freedom on how the piece they have chosen can be arranged. Some can choose to stick to the original form while others may wish to completely rearrange it into a different genre.

With that the showcase has begun. The first of the friends to perform was George and a 3rd year pianist student. It was not usual in the classic world to have piano duets, oftentimes the usual method would be either to have 2 pianos or to have a single piano and the pianists play on the same instrument also known as a 4 hand duet. George's pair chose to play a four hand duet, they had chosen 'Schubert: Fantasie in F minor'

The next pair that soon performed was Stephanie and the 3rd year violin student. Steph had chosen the classical route and they sang a medley of classical songs. With this, it shows how they spent a lot of time blending each number together so that it flowed seamlessly.

The next pair that soon performed was Stephanie and the 3rd year violin student. Steph had chosen the classical route and they sang a medley of classical songs. With this, it shows how they spent a lot of time blending each number together so that it flowed seamlessly. Stephanie has improved her singing.

I think watching you go and do the two competitions must have lit a fire underneath Stephanie. Looks like our friends have really improved this time. With that Stephanie was done, the crowd clapped and cheered, directly following Stephanie was Yoo Jung. Yoo Jung was paired with a 3 year piano student. Yoo Jung had chosen a modern track "Never Enough" from the musical movie "The Greatest Showman"

This song was not easy, it needed not only good singing technique, breath control but also stamina. Yoo Jung has been working really hard to improve the weak points of her singing. With the help of the professors and dedicating more time to practice, Rona could tell Yoo Jung had improved. Yoo Jung tended to always be unsure about her singing, if anything she lacked confidence. This song, you need confidence from start to finish. Hearing that first note, Yoo Jung started off well, the question is whether she can end well also. Ryo commented. Rona also agreed.

Luckily, Yoo Jung had been practising a lot and so she felt confident about this number. She started off well, but more importantly she ended well also. She did it. Jong Hyeop exclaimed. When Yoo Jung had finished, he leaped to his feet and started to clap and cheer. The rest looked at him and laughed. At least he is devoted. Seokhoon commented. With that, the first day of the showcase was over. There were no results to be announced as the overall results for the showcase would only be released 2 days from now.