Boychoir Page #4

Andre's having trouble,

so you're gonna take his place.

You're gonna be in the first

row, third from the right.

I can tell you're nervous already.

The truth is, I'm not a religious man,

but this is about as sacred

as you can get, Stet.

This is a community of people

feeling the same thing.

Most of them strangers,

but you are uniting them.

You are giving them your voice.

And that's as spiritual as it gets.

Completely flat. I want you leveled.

Feet.

Honey, what do you know

about the National Boychoir?

The what? Wait, what?

We got four tickets in the mail.

Tickets to what?

To a concert of theirs.

Tomorrow, up in New Haven.

- Who sent them?

- I don't know. There's no note.

Uh... ignore it. It's probably

just some promotional thing.

Well, why can't we use them?

It's Yale, it's Woolsey Hall.

I haven't been back to campus

since my reunion. And besides,

when's the last time

we did anything as a family?

- Babe, the girls don't like classical music.

- I like choirs.

Sally, we don't even know who sent them.

Who cares?

I think it'd be fun. Don't you, guys?

- Yeah.

- We'll get all dressed up.

Yes?

Hello? What?

Aah!

Chest cold. Slight fever.

Nothing severe.

In three or four days,

he should be fine.

Doctor, is there anything you can do

to make him sing? The concert's today.

- He's our lead singer.

- Not today he isn't.

- We'll have to cancel.

- Why?

Better to cancel than get it wrong.

We don't need to cancel.

We have someone that can step in.

Oh, what was that?

Bam! Bam! Oh, um...

Thanks.

- Ugh!

- Give me this pepper!

He's coming!

- Give me the...

- I hate to break up

this scintillating conversation,

but the concert is at 3.

I want everybody in the lobby at 1.

Stet. Devon's sick. You'll replace him.

You may want to look at the

second movement, page 25.

Good luck.

- Gee, Stet, your first solo.

- You're replacing Devon.

- What the...

- Devon!

- Stetson, what song is it?

- Queen Anne Aria.

- Stetson, this music is really hard.

- Shut up!

- Thanks, Raffi.

- He's fine. He knows it well.

Alright everybody, gather up!

Come on! Hurry up!

- Are you okay?

- Yeah, I'm fine.

- Is it this concert?

- What?

This is a big show for all

of us, for every one of you,

for all of us that have watched

you guys grow this year.

But don't be nervous,

because you guys know what you're doing.

Four bars of orchestra, back

in double forte after G flat.

Come on, Stet, you can do this.

Woodwind, fine. Violins, 10th measure.

Half of you are up bow,

half of you are down bow.

Get it together.

This is not a bloody circus.

- Five minutes.

- You're ready?

- Mr. Carvelle, I can't do this.

- It's too late for that.

- I hate Handel.

- Handel hated singers, too.

Alright, deep breath.

Maestro. Stet Tate. Maestro Molino.

- He's our soloist?

- Yes.

Nice. See you on stage.

- You're not conducting?

- No, you'll be okay.

You know the music.

If you get into trouble,

just follow the maestro's eyes.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the National Boychoir!

There's no score. He has no score.

Calm down.

Give it to me.

If you have to cheat...

cheat better.

- ...two guys in the front?

- How are you seeing...

- Hey! High five!

So, what did you think?

Yeah, I thought they were...

they were great.

- What do you guys want for dinner?

- Chinese.

- Chinese!

- That sounds good.

Should we stay around here

or go back to the city?

Stay around here.

I don't see why you just can't

lighten up for a bit...

I'm telling you, Stet's, like, amazing.

Follow me.

Enjoyed the concert, Devon?

- You did really well.

- Kick his ass!

Yeah, what are you waiting for?

Shh...

I'm not gonna do that.

I lay a hand on you, they kick me out.

Justine.

Yes.

Are you serious?

This is either really bad

or really good.

- New York City.

- Riverside Cathedral.

- Easter concert.

- This year?

It's everything we've been

working toward.

- The highest level.

- What's on the program?

Messiah!

Something like that would top

the Vienna Boys' Choir.

- Time to tell the world who's first.

- It doesn't have a solo part.

And Messiah's Christmas music.

Not always. First 100 years,

they sang it at Lent,

also at Eastertide.

Lent, Eastertide, Christmas,

what does it matter?

Messiah is one hell of a crowd-pleaser.

At Riverside, it will be huge.

Well, what about the solo part?

We write a descant.

We write a new solo part.

They were all doing it

back in those days.

Keep it in the same key

and hit a high D.

- I've already started...

- I'll do it.

- What if you need any help?

- I'll write it.

But can anyone of them

even reach a high D?

- It's either Devon or Stet.

- It'll have to be Devon.

Stet's leaving.

His dad's sending him to a

boarding school in Switzerland.

What?

It's about a nine-hour flight, Stet,

but I was able to get you a window.

I do suggest you try and get some sleep.

I know this is a change,

but it is for the best.

Stay where you are, Stet.

- Let's go, now.

- Didn't you hear me?

What?

He's not going with you.

- He's my son.

- Yes, I know.

Your secret son.

It was you, wasn't it?

You're the one that sent those tickets.

Yes, we send tickets to all the parents,

the majority of whom take

an actual interest

in their child's well-being.

This is very simple, Mr. Owens.

I continue your son's instruction...

and your secret...

remains just that.

Okay, now, take one,

pass it around to your friends.

Don't be deceived

by how simple this looks.

Because this thing, in fact,

is the biggest challenge

you've ever had.

Alright. Don't look so scared.

What is this?

Your worst nightmare, sir.

Sing after me.

And again.

Now...

And now, gentlemen,

the note on the page.

The high D.

Not even close, but whoever hits it first

sings lead treble in New York.

Remember, Handel liked big music.

He's a crowd-pleaser, and that

means you've got to sing out...

and over...

and through the orchestra.

Alright. And now, one octave up.

And when it comes, don't avoid it.

Put everything you are into it.

Every piece of your life.

Whoa! Whoa! How'd you get this?

It's easy.

The secretary keeps the file

room key in her desk drawer.

She's out for the day.

Failed grades, suspensions.

He's even been arrested!

Apparently, it runs in the family.

Whoa!

Get me a flash drive.

Devon, in your own time.

That's it. The high D. Well done!

Boys, a round of applause for Devon.

I knew you could do it.

Guys! Guys, he's coming!

Fight! Fight! Fight...!

That's enough! Stet, stop!

Stet, stop it! Stop it! Stop!

You can go home now, Abby. Thank you.

Tomorrow morning,

eight o'clock, right here.

Understand?

Do you understand?

- What is it?

- They're gonna kick me out.

I know.

- It's Devon's fault!

- It doesn't matter whose fault is it.

Now, I've got one less voice

for New York.

Oh, I see, I screwed up your plans.

Excuse me!

Who do you think you're talking to?

Don't you know what that concert means?

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