Jeffrey finally arrived at home, he took off his heavy backpack and placed it in his closet.
The first thing Jeffrey did was stress out and take a quick shower. Letting the water running over his head and using shampoo and body wash. Jeffrey felt clean and if he could he'd like to stay in the warm water. The concert and energy meant that he felt bored staying in the shower for too long.
After drying himself with a towel, Jeffrey changed into dress pants and a black collared shirt.
Grabbing his saxophone and making sure he brought his sheet music, Jeffrey and his family headed to the school. The drive was a short one, as Jeffrey stared at the road to school
When they arrived quite a few families were already there as people started looking for parking wherever they could.
Jeffrey rushed out of the car to meet with some of the other kids in the band room. As he got closer he saw a few of the other kids waiting as well, Michael Zapato the flutist, Steven Harris the drummer, Aleena shaw the Saxophonist, and Zachary Taylor the Tuba player.
They stood outside in the cold waiting for someone to let them in.
Jeffrey could hear the noise from inside and he shivered as his hair was still slightly wet from taking a shower.
Eventually, the band teacher let them in. The final preparations for concert show had begun.
The parents and families received their tickets. There were various snacks and refreshments prepared. Many of them got seated at the tables that were already set up.
Outside the school lamps cast a halo of light in the dark night. The winter darkness really added to the ambivalent atmosphere of the event. There were a few signs that pointed to the auditorium.
Jeffrey was busy talking with friends.
"You guys ready for winter break", Gavin asked the saxophone section.
some of them started taking about their plans and where they'd be traveling.
"I'm going to see my uncles and aunties for Christmas", Matthew Thompson replied.
Aleena went to talk to her friends in the clarinet section. Jeffrey was just excited to be in the room.
Then as it came to their time to preform, Jeffrey lined up as they walked in a group. Up the stairs and through the hallways, they moved past empty classrooms. Jeffrey felt like he was going to the movie theater.
The air was slightly warm as their class were breathing and talking. They heard the period 1 band kids finish their performance and it was their turn to walk in.
"This is an amazing night", Jeffrey thought to himself as they walked through the door and onto the stage.
Mrs. Browne introduced their class as she did speaking to the crowd of eager parents. The red recording light could be seen as they held up their cameras and video recorders.
"Your kids have been practicing since September for this concert and they've learned a lot compared to their first concert. They had to relearn how to breath properly and read sheet music", Mrs. Browne spoke into the microphone.
"For our first piece they've prepared for you all a song of peace and good tiding to all", Mrs. Browne turned to them and raised her Baton.
Jeffrey raised his saxophone to his mouth and the musicians around him did the same.
Waving her hands, Jeffrey blew the notes to the song they'd had practiced many times in the last 12 weeks. Hours and hours of the same songs over and over again. It was boring at times, but they practiced again and again.
Tonight, however the song that he had played so many times sounded magical. Maybe it was something about the way the stage sounded, maybe that they were playing for someone, maybe it was just the fact that this was the last time they'd have to play it, but to Jeffrey he played the saxophone with his soul.
Mrs. Browne paused for a moment to speak about their next song. Everyone sat very still listening to her speak.
"The next song you're about to hear is a familiar one. At the beginning many of your kids were excited to play it, however I think they're now excited that they don't have to play it again", Mrs. Browne lowered the microphone so that some of the kids could speak.
Kendal Andrews from intermediate band also said a few words.
"Noel, Noel is a christmas song composed around 1832. However for many, I think the sound of footsteps on the roof is just as Joyeous. May we present to you the piece, Up on the Housetop arranged by JW Pepper himself", Mrs. Andrews sat down.
Jeffrey could see from the corner of his eye his parents looking for him. When they saw him sitting on stage, they took a lot of pictures. As were many of the other parents as they sat listening to their show.
the sound of bells and wood blocks sounded as the percussion players hit their instruments.
Gavin and Aleena were blowing really loudly, and although there was a minor squeak or two from the clarinets the song went over quite well.
They played 2 or 3 more songs before standing up and leaving the stage. Not before their band teacher had them take pictures. When they finished, they were allowed to head back to the room to clean up.
There was a lot of excitement as they finished.
"That was awesome", Jeffrey said to his seatmate Ryan.
"Yeah, we sounded so cool", Ryan responded as they walked back to the room.
After a little bit, they got to sit and listen to the rest of the concert. Next were the intermediate and advanced classes. As much as Jeffrey didn't want to admit it, the intermediate sounded at lot better than they did.
Jeffrey thought to himself, "That's going to be us next year"
they played a few pop songs and a short drummer solo at the end. Finally it came time for the advanced class, with drummer sticks in their hands and special props. They arrived on stage.
Mrs. Browne played a slideshow and after a quick 5 minute intermission for people to head to the restrooms. The senior 8th graders were ready.
The trumpet section sounded loudly all at once, it sounded like the fanfare that a king might receive. A tuba waddled in the background, as if a lost traveler might wander through a forest.
The flutes were like a melody of wind, Jeffrey could feel the chills from how well they played.
Soon, however it was over. It was quite late at night and Jeffrey met with his family.
His two sisters Raine and Saoirse had already eaten a good chunk of the cake and cookies provided.
"You didn't save me any?", Jeffrey asked.
Saoirse was asleep on their mom's lap.
"We saved some for you", his Dad said to him.
"You did amazing Jeffrey", his mom praised him as they talked about the performance.
All the kids slowly found their families and they drove home. Jeffrey took one last look at the auditorium stage. The chairs and music stands were already taken back. There was something special that happened here, it was as if some fairies sprinkled some magic on the lights and decorations.
Soon the school was empty, waiting for students to arrive the next day.