Cindy at Music Camp By Teek © 2019 Chapter 11 The Judges

Now everybody knew Cindy. There was no getting away from people saying hi to her as she had it to her first class. By the time Cindy and Eleanor reached the woodwind class, Cindy was glad to be around people that already knew her. What she was not ready for, was their reaction.

Entering the room, Cindy was presented with a standing ovation.

“OK everybody. OK everybody. Settle down now. Settle down,” Mrs. Johnson tried to get everyone quiet for class to begin. “Let’s get back to practicing.”

“Mrs. Johnson is it true? Is it,” asked Wes? “Is Cindy really one of the top five performers at camp?”

“Now, now, Wes. You all here have amazing abilities and talents. Cindy is just another one of you trying to learn her instrument. The top performer competition will decide who is in the top five.”

“But, she is a real little kid in that competition. She’s what seven? How can a kid that young be in the competition? Yeah, we all know she is in the flute 1st chair and I fully accept that she earned that. Frank was 2nd chair, but when Cindy came, she was put in as 1st chair. Is Cindy a better player than Frank? Aren’t they the same person? How can one be a better player than the other? Can we hear her play just by herself please,” asked Abigail?

“Please Mrs. Johnson,” several children in the room said at once.

“Now, now,” Mrs. Johnson attempted to calm the troops. “Every year a few Littles make it in the competition. Rarely do any make it in the top five.”

“But, I heard that Mr. Elks and Marcus think she is in the top three,” Timmy said. “When is the last time a woodwind instrument was in the top three? In fact, has a Little playing a woodwind instrument ever been in the competition?”

“I’ve been going here for ten years, and I have never seen a woodwind instrument in the top three,” Eleanor said.

“I’ve been here almost as long, and I’ve never seen a Little woodwind player in the competition,” stated Larry.

“Okay,” Mrs. Johnson said exasperated. “Yes, it is very unusual for a Little woodwind player to be in the competition. In fact, Cindy may be the first in the camp’s fifty-year history.”

“Ariel threatened Cindy to stay out of the competition because she thought Cindy could win,” Jacob added. “Then when the list for the competition came out, Ariel went to beat her up. We all know Cindy is good, but we have never heard how good she is because we are all playing together. One of our fellow woodwind instrument players was threatened and almost beaten up, just because she might be in the top five or even in the top three. Mike and Marcus are right. It is not fair that Cindy had to face that. None of us stood up against Ariel to defend Cindy. We need to stand together behind everyone in this room in the competition, especially the only Little woodwind player to ever achieve that feat. Cindy, I personally apologize for everything you have been through this summer. I heard Ariel make negative comments about you, but I never said anything.”

“It’s okay,” Cindy said.

“No, it isn’t,” Sally interjected. “It is never okay to put up with teasing and bullying behaviors. I also said nothing to Ariel when I heard her say things. My lack of action made her believe that her views were appropriate. I don’t even want to think about how my silence may have led to your attacks. I am very sorry Cindy.”

“Mrs. Johnson,” Jacob asked? “We just want to hear her play something for us, then we will get to work.”

“It’s okay Mrs. Johnson,” Cindy said as she was unpacking her flute. “I’ll play so you can get back to teaching.”

“Are you sure Cindy,” asked Mrs. Johnson?

“Yeah. It will help me calm down after all that has happened.”

“Okay,” Mrs. Johnson relented. “Quiet down everyone. Cindy, do you know any Flute Solos?”

“I know a few Mrs. Johnson. Would Friedrich Kuhlau’s Fantasy in D Major for Flute Solo be okay?” YouTube link to it being played

Mrs. Johnson raised an eyebrow, “Whatever you know and are comfortable playing dear.”

Cindy positioned the Molly doll on her lap, closed her eyes, and took some deep breaths. Then, Cindy started to play. For eleven minutes, the room was silent, except for the amazing music coming from Cindy’s flute. When she finished, she opened her eyes, and looked around at the standing ovation that she was getting. She blushed. Grabbing the Molly doll, Cindy noticed a group of grown-ups with tablets in their hands, that she did not see in the room before she started to play.

“Impressive,” one of the strange new grown-ups said as he approached. “I am not sure I have ever heard that piece played that well. You, young lady, are quite an impressive player, and you did that without any sheet music. Oh, how I would love to have you in my Symphony Orchestra. Unfortunately, with that talent, I suspect that you will be a solo flute player instead of playing in a Symphony Orchestra in some city. Mr. Elks, you certainly do have some amazing talent at camp this summer. I am sorry Mrs. Johnson, I didn’t mean to interrupt your class, but after hearing that, I just had to compliment the artist. So, Mr. Elks, please tell me that this little cherub is in the competition this summer.”

“Yes, indeed Mr. Frances. This is Cindy. She is one of our contestants this summer. We were not planning on listening to her now but after that solo performance, I am sure you all want to put down your impressions. She is number,” Mr. Elks looked down at his tablet and hit a few buttons. “Fifteen. She is number fifteen on your list.”

With that, the group of unknown grown-ups tapped away at their tablets and then left the room.

“Class, those were the judges for the Best Performer Competition. Mr. Frances is the lead conductor for the Tri-City Symphony Orchestra. I have never heard him give a student such high praise before. I have been on the Tri-City Symphony Orchestra for ten years and rarely have I heard him give anyone such high praise. You all wanted to know if Cindy was capable of being in the top three. Well, you just got your answer. Cindy, thank you for sharing with us. That was an amazing performance. Now everyone, your parents will be here in a few days to hear you play. Let’s get back to work, so we can show them what amazing performers you all are.”

At the end of class, Cindy couldn’t have left even if she tried. Everyone wanted to compliment her on her performance. A group of kids escorted her to her next class, as they asked her everything from her age, to her favorite composer. Some kids even ask the name of her Dolly and the name of her favorite TV shows on Disney Junior.

In every class that morning, the group of judges came into the class quietly, observed a little bit, tapped away on their tablets for a few minutes, and then quietly left.

Cindy however, did not have a quiet morning. It seemed like everyone was greeting her or asking her questions. Although it was all done openly and with real appreciation or curiosity, for a nine year old the instant fame was overwhelming at times.

“Thanks Erin,” Cindy said as they reached the lunch table. “You were tons of help.”

“No problem Cindy,” Erin replied as she sat down in her regular spot. “I sort of felt like a body guard trying to get you through some of those crowds.”

“It has been like that all morning.”

“The speech Mike and Marcus gave really did the job. It appears that everyone wants you to feel welcome and know what it is like to have friends at camp.”

“But I already have friends.”

“You sure do,” Jessica said as she sat down next to Cindy. “And don’t forget it.”

“Hi Jessica,” Cindy gave her a big hug.

“My, oh my,” Jessica hugged back. “That is quite a hug considering it has only been four hours since we last saw each other. Did something happen this morning?”

“Everyone!”

“It appears that everyone wants to be Cindy’s friend,” Erin explained. “She can’t go anywhere without a crowd of people wanting to talk to her or just say hi to her.”

Jessica smiled, “This is a good thing Cindy. Enjoy it.”

“I am real glad I had body guards this morning.”

Erin smiled.

“I needed some body guards this morning too,” Samantha said as she sat down on the other side of Cindy. “Everyone wants to know what I play, how long I have been playing, or just congratulate me on getting into the competition.”

Marcus at that moment sat down in his spot, “That is great Samantha. Sounds like the speech this morning worked then. How about you Cindy?”

“They want to know everything about me,” Cindy took a deep breath and hugged the Molly doll. “What I like, how old I am, even what my favorite color is. Molly here even got a few questions.”

Samantha giggled, “Did she answer them?”

“Of course she did,” Cindy smiled and stood Molly up and made her talk. “I answered all the questions myself. I’m an American Girl. We are famous, so we have lots of loving fans. I am used to that, but Cindy isn’t.”

Samantha giggled again, “Good job Molly, and keep up the good job of helping Cindy.”

“I a great helper,” Cindy made Molly say. “Thanks for letting me help Cindy.”

“No problem, knew you would be good at it.”

With Mr. Elks getting everyone’s attention for announcements, both girls giggled.

When one o’clock came around, the small orchestra collected in their practice room. George was the last to arrive, but he wasn’t the last to enter the room. The competition judges entered right behind him.

“Cindy,” Mr. Frances said. “It is nice to see you again. This is the time we originally had scheduled to observe you and the rest of this little orchestra.”

“Judges, everyone in this room is in the competition. Three out of the five children have won in previous years. That does not disqualify them from winning this year, but I do ask that you look for growth from the last time you judged that individual,” Mr. Elks said. “You have already judged Jessica and Cindy. We are here now to judge George, Samantha, and Marcus. I ask that you keep Marcus’ piano playing a secret for now. He is usually judged on his Rock’n Roll electric guitar playing, and he has chosen this year to be judged on his piano skills. His skills on the piano will be revealed when this group play the final song of Saturday’s concert. Directly after that, we will award the winner of the Best Performer Competition. This group is performing a composition written by Jessica here. She has chosen to conduct the piece, even though she wrote the piano piece for her to play.”

“Actually sir,” Jessica interjected. “This composition was my idea and original draft was written by me, but from there, each member of the group has given input and changes were made.”

“Very honorable of you to say that Jessica,” Mrs. Dulles said. “As an agent, I often see people try to claim other people’s work as their own.”

“Okay everyone,” Mr. Elks stated. “Get your instruments out, and play it through once for the judges. Since we are judging three of you, we may need to be here for a while. This is your time to prepare for the concert. Do what you would normally do. This is a small room, so it is going to be hard to ignore the judges, but try the best you can. Everyone in the top ten will have another chance to individually perform for the judges. Let us hear now, what you can do.”

“Now,” Jessica addressed her orchestra. “We have two days to get this perfect. Yesterday we made minor changes to the composition, and based upon yesterday’s final performance I made some slight changes. Log in to the app and pull up the latest version of the script. Marcus, listen for the pace of Samantha as she finishes her solo, if it is not at the speed of the next section, start at her speed and progress up slowly. An abrupt change of pace, is a negative to the overall composition. George, remember how you did in that final practice yesterday. Tap into those feelings again, you were starting to really move from a technical player to one tapping into their emotions. Let the music flow through you and listen to those around you. You know your part by heart, but remember, our strength is combining all of our abilities to make one amazing performance. Ready, one, two, three. . .”

The music began, with Jessica leading the orchestra through the ebb and flow of the composition. Upon the last note, Jessica directs everyone to take a deep breath, put down their instruments and then stand for the audience. After bows and curtsies, she directs them to sit down and provide feedback. Then after a short discussion, they go through it again. This process is done three times before the judges leave. Once the door was completely closed, Marcus joined Jessica on the conductor’s podium.

“We have now all been judged twice by the judges,” Marcus explained. “There is nothing to do now but wait for results. Jessica, you did a great job bringing us through the last three songs. You are technically not being judged on your conducting skills, but they will take into account what they saw now, when judging you on your overall understanding of music. I see the five of us at the top five, and we go forward with that assumption. The three oldest of us have won before, but if we face reality, one of the two youngest will most likely win. Samantha and Cindy, I want you to know right now, I am okay with any of the five of us winning. None of us older kids will be mad or upset if you win. We make an amazing team, and no matter what happens, we shall always be friends.”

“Cindy,” George asked? “Do you know Mr. Frances from outside of camp?”

“No,” Cindy replied. “The first time I met him was this morning during the woodwind class.”

“I have never heard him talk to anybody,” George stated. “Did he talk to you this morning?”

“Yeah, he said he had never heard anyone play the piece as good as I did.”

Everyone looked at Cindy.

“He said what,” asked Marcus?

“He said he never heard the piece played as good as I did.”

“Well,” Jessica commented. “That means that Cindy has Mr. Frances’ vote. Everyone after they saw you this morning Cindy, will be compared against your performance. I probably don’t have a chance against that comparison.”

“You are all being silly,” Cindy responded. “I am no one special.”

“Cindy!” the group slammed her.

“You are special Cindy,” Marcus commented as he went back to the piano. “Never view yourself in the negative. You have strengths and weaknesses like everyone else. You have a talent, and you are good at it. Everyone in this room is special in their own way.”

“Anyways Cindy,” Samantha said. “I am going to win, so don’t worry.”

With that, the room filled with laughter, after which, Jessica managed to get everyone back to practicing.

After practice, Samantha and Cindy were being escorted to Mr. Elks’ house by George, when they passed a group of kids having a conversation about Marcus.

“Honest, Marcus was a prodigy on the piano when he was little. He could play better than that Jessica kid everyone says is so good on the piano.”

“Eric, stop making up stories. Marcus plays the electric guitar. He is not a classical piano player and he never has been. If you could play the guitar like he can, you would never play another instrument. I have been coming here for years, and I have never heard him play anything but his guitar. He never even talks about an interest or time with other instruments. There is no way he plays the piano.”

“Ellie is older than Marcus, and she says,” Eric started.

“Oh, don’t believe an older teenager like Ellie. She is probably laughing her head off over the tween she tricked into believing such a bazar tale.”

Cindy, Samantha, and George stifled their giggles and ran ahead of the group. When out of ear shot, the three collapsed on the grass in a heap of giggles.

“They won’t believe the truth,” Samantha barely got out through her giggling.

“Not even with Ellie telling them,” George got out. “This is great. Our performance will shock them all.”

“Wonder what they will say when Marcus puts down his guitar and heads for the piano,” Cindy asked?