Musical Mystery

by Laura Sieveking

  They looked around wildly. Suddenly, Grace stood up. ‘It is I! Queen of the Unicorns! And I have come with my army!’

  Grace pulled my arm and I stood up. She jumped onto my back in a piggy-back and yelled ‘Onward, noble unicorn!’

  ‘Neigh!’ I hollered.

  ‘Come, unicorn army,’ Grace said, waving at the rest of the class. Everyone stood up and jumped into pairs, riders piggy-backing their partner unicorns.

  ‘ATTACK!’ Grace yelled.

  We all charged forward, pretending to fight a battle against an invisible enemy. Some people bumped into each other and fell onto the floor, laughing hysterically. Mr Withers’ eyes were as wide as saucers as he clapped and cheered.

  ‘Yes!’ he cried. ‘Marvellous!’

  Mr Withers joined in, trotting around like a pony. The class descended into complete chaos. We rolled about laughing until our sides were sore.

  Suddenly, the doors flew open with a bang and Ms Montgomery pulled up sharply, staring at us in shock and horror. Behind her, she had a group of people who were clearly doing a tour of Eden College. Parents and prospective girls stood with their mouths agape. The entire class, climbing all over the drama studio, froze. Some were standing on the stage. Others were still piggy-backing their partners. Mr Withers’ foot was raised, mid-trot.

  Ms Montgomery cleared her throat.

  ‘And this,’ she said, ‘is the drama studio.’

  She ushered the tour group away from the doors and shut them hurriedly. When she had gone, we all burst out laughing.

  Chapter 3

  When I was born, my Nanna Kate wanted my parents to call me Emily. But Mum and Dad preferred Ella, so Nanna Kate just sighed wistfully. She said she’d always wanted a granddaughter called Emily, because her most favourite poet in the whole wide world is Emily Dickinson.

  Nanna Kate said she knew when she looked into my newborn eyes that I would be a poet. Even when I was a baby, she said she would read poetry to me and I’d instantly stop crying and listen. She said Max and Olivia liked to be read to as well, but she knew that I was going to be the poet in the family. She could just tell that it brightened my soul.

  Words are like music to me. I love the way they can make you feel warm or scared or confused, simply by uttering them. Some can create their own feelings through the sound of them, like humdrum, which just means boring. And I love the way certain words roll around on your tongue, like discombobulated (which is a big word for confused).

  I love all of the arts, really. Singing, acting, poetry and art. Zoe loves numbers and formulas and everything lining up neatly with no ragged edges. Maybe that’s why we get along so well—she can keep my feet on the ground and help me stay on track, and I can lift her eyes up to the stars and show her the wonder of the hues on a petal.

  The thought of being able to perform in the musical, on a proper stage with the older girls in the school, filled my heart with both fear and longing. This was my chance to shine, and I knew I had to be prepared. I wasn’t nervous about reading lines or showing expression in my face in my audition. But I was worried about singing.

  I think I’m a pretty good singer. I can definitely stay in tune, and I can even manage to sing in harmony. When Nanna Kate and I baked together, we’d often sing in rounds or in basic harmony. But singing in public in front of a whole lot of people? That was something I hadn’t really done before. And I also knew that the standard would be very high at Eden College. Violet was already an accomplished singer who had been taking lessons for years. She was in a special singing group at the school called the Madrigals, and they sang difficult pieces in complex harmonies. I didn’t think I could do that.

  I’d decided I wanted to audition with Arianwen’s Song. It’s not that I wanted to be Arianwen specifically, but I thought maybe singing a song from Enchantment the Musical might improve my chances. I’d been listening to the Broadway version of Arianwen’s Song on my phone since the auditions had been announced, humming along and noticing how the professional singer was performing it. There were some really high notes in there, which I strained to reach. A couple of times my voice cracked like old paint on a wall. I winced every time it happened.

  I figured it would be a good idea to go down to the music practice rooms and use the piano to really hear the notes, to make sure I was completely in tune. Our audition would be unaccompanied (which means there would be no background music), but if I could learn to start on the exact right first note, then surely the teachers running the audition would be impressed.

  School had finished for the day and I didn’t have any extracurricular activities on that afternoon, so I made my way to the music, art and drama centre, which would be open until 4.30 p.m. Lots of girls would go there to practice their instruments or just play the piano and sing. There were many small rehearsal rooms and it wasn’t too difficult to get some time in there on your own if you wanted it. Although with the auditions coming up soon, I’d noticed lots more girls going to the music rooms to practice their audition pieces.

  As I walked into the music centre, I could immediately hear music notes dancing in the air. The sounds coming out of the rooms mixed together in a confusing chaos. I peeked into the window of each room, and, sure enough, each room had a girl practicing a song. Some were playing piano at the same time and some were performing for their friends for feedback.

  When I got to the end of the corridor, I realised there were no rooms free, so I’d have to wait my turn. There were signs on each door saying, ‘Due to the musical auditions, these rooms are in popular demand. Please keep your sessions to 15 minutes each.’ I plonked myself down on one of the benches in the hallway and waited, mindlessly scrolling through my phone.

  Then a familiar tune came seeping out of the door just to my left. It was the piano introduction to Arianwen’s Song. I frowned. How many girls would be singing the exact same song as me?

  The voice carrying the song was not a bad one, although it was forceful and loud. It was definitely in tune, but there was a shouting quality to it that was not entirely pleasant to hear. I peered in the window and could see the swishing blonde ponytail of a girl I knew all too well: Saskia. I chuckled to myself—it was no surprise that Saskia’s singing voice sounded as bossy as her personality.

  But then another voice joined in. It was pure and deep and mellifluous. Mellifluous means smooth and beautiful to hear—a bit like the sound-version of eating velvety melted chocolate. The other voice was singing a harmony under Saskia’s shouty melody. I bobbed my head around, trying to see who the other singer was. But she was also playing the piano and was covered by the open lid of it.

  ‘Saskia, maybe try it a bit softer to start with, like this,’ the voice said. The mystery girl then played the introduction on the piano again and started singing in a soft voice with a sweet vibrato. Vibrato is that pretty wavering sound when a really good singer sings a long note. I closed my eyes as I listened to her sing. It was beautiful.

  ‘I think I’ll just keep doing it MY way,’ Saskia snapped over the top of the singer. ‘The teachers want someone who can project their voice, not someone who sings softly and pathetically.’

  I rolled my eyes.

  Saskia then joined in again, shout-singing over the top of the melodic mystery musician.

  When they finished singing Arianwen’s Song for a final time, I heard them shuffling their music sheets. I quickly moved away from the window and sat back down on the bench. I didn’t want Saskia to think that I’d been spying on her rehearsal.

  Saskia flung the door open and looked across to me. ‘Spying on the competition?’ she asked in a snide voice.

  ‘No, not at all,’ I laughed.

  ‘What role do you want?’ she asked bluntly.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ I said.

  ‘Well, I want Arianwen, so I’m singing Arianwen’s Song,’ she interrupted before I could continue. ‘So I hope you don’t choose that! My mum says I have a strong voice.’

  ‘She�
��s not wrong,’ I said carefully.

  Saskia smirked and started to walk off down the hall. I stood up and walked to the doorway. As I looked inside, I was surprised to see Portia, one of Saskia’s best friends, in the room. I looked around wildly, expecting to see another person in there. But it was only Portia. She was gathering up her music sheets at the piano. Her waist-long brown hair was pulled back into two French braids, which hung down her front.

  ‘Portia, was that you singing with Saskia?’ I asked.

  Portia’s cheeks reddened. ‘Oh, yes, I’m helping her with her audition. I’m going to sing the harmony for her, which will also be my audition for the musical.’

  ‘You have an amazing voice!’ I said.

  ‘Oh, not really,’ she laughed, waving her hand in the air.

  ‘Why don’t you sing by yourself? You’ve probably got more of a chance to get a bigger role if you do a solo,’ I said.

  ‘I don’t know about that,’ Portia laughed. ‘Anyway, I’m quite happy to be in the chorus. I’m not really a centrestage kind of girl,’ she shrugged.

  I’d always seen Portia, and their other friend, Mercedes, as Saskia’s minions. They usually walked on either side of her, laughing at her jokes or agreeing with everything she said. Saskia often bossed them around and made them do things that I wasn’t entirely sure they liked doing (like braiding her hair for hours on end). But I’d never really gotten to know Portia on her own. She seemed different without Saskia by her side. Somehow sweeter.

  ‘What song are you singing?’ Portia asked.

  ‘Well, I was going to do Arianwen’s Song, but now it feels like everyone will be doing that,’ I said, irritated.

  ‘Want me to listen?’ Portia asked.

  ‘Really? Do you have time?’

  ‘Sure—I can play the piano for you, if you like. Get your confidence up before singing it by yourself,’ she said, sitting back down at the piano and opening up her music folder again.

  ‘That would be amazing,’ I said, smiling.

  Portia began with the opening notes. I tried to start the song off softly, as Portia had told Saskia to do.

  Then, as the song swelled, I began to build up my voice. The final chorus was high and I struggled to reach the top notes. My voice cracked a few times and by the end of the song, my throat felt a little sore. Portia rubbed her chin with her finger, like she was thinking.

  ‘Was it bad?’ I asked nervously.

  ‘No, definitely not bad, Ella,’ she said.

  ‘Just not good then,’ I said, sensing that she wasn’t impressed with my effort.

  ‘It’s not that,’ Portia said. ‘Is Arianwen the part you want?’

  ‘Not specifically,’ I said.

  ‘I don’t think she’s the right part for you,’ Portia said, still looking like she was thinking.

  I looked down at my feet. Just as I’d thought: I was terrible.

  ‘You are a good singer, Ella, but Arianwen is a soprano part. You are not a soprano,’ she went on.

  I knew Portia was right. In choir, I was always put in the alto section, which is the group that sing the lower part of a song. I definitely felt more comfortable when I wasn’t straining for those top notes.

  ‘What should I do?’ I asked, feeling helpless. The auditions were only a day away and I didn’t even have a song.

  ‘Do you know The Girl I Mean to Be?’ Portia asked. She started to tinkle the introduction on the piano.

  I immediately recognised the song. It was from the musical The Secret Garden. Nanna Kate had taken me and Olivia to see it the year before last. Since then, we would sing it in her house often. It was such a pretty tune, but I didn’t think other girls would be singing it for their auditions.

  ‘Yes, I do! I’ve seen the musical and my Nanna Kate plays it all the time,’ I said, smiling at the thought of my Nanna Kate singing as we baked together.

  ‘OK, that’s great!’ Portia smiled. ‘But before you start singing, we need to get your posture right.’

  I looked down at my body. I was leaning on the smooth surface of the piano, slumped liked a sack of potatoes in the pantry.

  ‘Stand up tall and have your feet positioned under your hips. Relax your knees and pull your shoulders back slightly. We need to make room for deep breaths!’ Portia said, getting up to demonstrate.

  I did as she asked.

  ‘Now,’ she continued, ‘you need to breathe from your diaphragm—right in here.’ She placed her hand over the top part of my stomach. ‘Inhale slowly in a controlled way. It should feel like you are taking deep breaths from down in your stomach, not quick breaths snatched up in your chest.’

  I closed my eyes and breathed in slowly.

  ‘That’s it. Your stomach should gently expand as you inhale and then slowly contract as you sing,’ Portia said, sitting back down at the piano. I brought up the lyrics to the song on my phone, and positioned it on the music stand in front of me.

  I began to sing in the controlled way Portia had just shown me, using measured breathing. I felt the notes coming up from my stomach and out through my mouth. They felt strong and pure, not strained and shrieking like my attempt at Arianwen’s Song.

  ‘Good!’ Portia cheered, as I continued to sing. She joined in with a simple harmony.

  The notes in the room seemed to vibrate, bouncing off each wall and dancing together to create a melodious sound. As I finished the final note, we both remained silent, allowing the remnants of the song to dissipate in the air.

  ‘That was amazing,’ I breathed.

  ‘See? A bit of technique and you will be great,’ Portia smiled. ‘Now, I want you to continue to practice in front of a mirror. And record yourself on your phone and play it back. Work on your facial expressions as well as your voice—singing is storytelling and you want the audience to be part of that story.’

  I nodded gratefully.

  ‘I’d better go,’ Portia said, looking down at her watch. ‘Saskia wants me to help her organise her bookshelf.’

  ‘Portia, thank you,’ I said, squeezing her arm lightly as she stood up.

  ‘Oh, and one more thing,’ Portia said, frowning slightly. ‘It might be best if you don’t mention to Saskia that I helped you. She wouldn’t like that too much.’

  I looked into Portia’s worried eyes.

  ‘Of course,’ I said, nodding.

  Portia smiled and gathered her music. Then she walked out of the room, humming The Girl I Mean to Be.

  Chapter 4

  I spent all my spare time over the next day practicing just the way Portia had taught me. My song from The Secret Garden was sounding really good and while I was still nervous about the audition, I was also feeling confident.

  The auditions were to take place in the auditorium after school, and there were lots of girls waiting to try out. We had been divided into sessions, with the first session being Years 7, 8 and 9. I was a little bit relieved that we didn’t have to perform in front of the older girls just yet.

  We funnelled into the auditorium and took our places in the flip-down seats. Down the front was a narrow trestle table with three seats. On the table were paper, pens and three glasses of water.

  I sat down in a row with Violet, Portia, Saskia and some other Year 7 girls. Zoe had signed up to be part of the tech crew, which involved working the complicated technology for sound, lighting and special effects. Zoe is a computer whiz, so this was right up her alley. Grace had signed up for the set design crew and would be creating amazing backdrops and props with the Art department. So from our close-knit group of friends, only Violet and I were auditioning for roles in the musical. I knew Violet was an accomplished singer and therefore my competition, but I was really glad to have one of my BFFs by my side.

  The doors at the front of the auditorium flung open and three people paraded in. Mr Withers, our Drama teacher, was there and the Head of Music, Mrs Lodge, was also there. I knew Mrs Lodge from orchestra, where I played the flute. She was a kind but serious teac
her, her brow often furrowed as if deep in thought. She had long silvery hair and wore red-rimmed glasses. Behind the teachers was an adult I had never seen before. She was tall and slim, wearing tight black trousers and a black top. Over that she wore a billowing kaftan with swirling rainbow colours. Her thick mass of curly hair was piled up on top of her head in a bird’s nest and she had big red earrings hanging from her ears, which matched her bright red lipstick. She wore thick-framed black glasses, and her bright green eyes sparkled behind the lenses.

  Mr Withers clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.

  ‘Good afternoon, girls,’ he said excitedly. ‘Welcome to the auditions for Enchantment the Musical!’

  We all cheered.

  ‘I have the great pleasure of introducing our new musical director. This is Miss Daniela Lopez,’ Mr Withers gushed.

  A squeal ripped through the crowd. Any girl who knew musical theatre knew that Daniela Lopez was one of the most well-known young performers on the Australian stage. But why on earth would she be directing a high school musical? Shouldn’t she be on the stage, performing? It didn’t make sense. But a feeling of excitement washed over me nonetheless.

  ‘Good afternoon, girls,’ Miss Lopez beamed. ‘I’m very much looking forward to hearing you all perform today. Each of you will sing, and then Mr Withers will give you something to read aloud.’

  My legs jittered with nerves.

  ‘We’ll start with Year 7,’ Mrs Lodge said, as she sat down at the table and picked up a pen.

  I gulped and squeezed Violet’s hand.

  The first few Year 7 girls performed well, especially since they had to go before anyone else in the entire room. Of the first three, two of them sang Arianwen’s Song. I was so glad I wasn’t auditioning with that song. I glanced over at Saskia, who looked annoyed.

  ‘Saskia and Portia,’ Mrs Lodge read out.

  Saskia jumped up, beaming. She sashayed to the stage, with Portia walking calmly behind her. After they climbed up the steps, Saskia stood right in the centre of the stage, while Portia stood slightly back and to the left.