Part 99
Victor POV
I hate these concerts more than anything. The only reason I even have a smile on my face right now is because Princess and all of my brothers are here.
Gabe had to bring all the things with us today for my concert tomorrow. My concert tux, and my after concert tux plus shoes for both. Then there is my bag of sheet music, not that I need it. During the rehearsal phase it is unprofessional to not show up with your music. If the director gives direction on the two songs I am playing with the symphony, I need to write it on my music.
I normally am a soloist. But this time I am a guest performer doing two songs with the symphony and I have an additional 5 solo pieces. Since this concert is on Thanksgiving night, it is to kick off the Christmas season. All of my songs are to be winter related pieces or Christmas songs.
The symphony has about 80 musicians and the Symphony Chorus has 300 people singing. This rehearsal is going to be a long one. Although they have assured me that I am going to go through the two songs with the symphony and choir first, then they will all take a break while I run through my five solos for the director.
Gabe made sure everyone in my 'entourage' is dressed appropriately. Mr. B is not wearing a full suit this time, but he does have on dress slacks, button up shirt and tie with a sports coat on. He looks the part of my 'manager'. Silas, North, and Nathan have on dress slacks and nice button up shirts in different colors and look to be my 'body guards'. Doc has on slacks, a button up lavender shirt and yellow tie as my 'personal physician'. He is of course carrying his doctor bag for any emergency. Kota looks similarly dressed to Mr. B and he is my 'manager's assistant'. Gabe is dressed in slacks, button up and tie, but with flare, as my 'stylist'. Luke has on the slacks and button up shirt, partially undone (which was a fight in the party bus) as the 'assistant stylist'. And Sang is my 'personal guest' for the concert. Each guest performer gets one personal guest that can go backstage. Everyone else needs to have a title in your entourage.
"Our guest performer is here now, Mr. Victor Morgan." The director announces.
As I step out on stage with just the performers they all stand and clap for me. I bow to them and make my way to the piano. Kota already had my music set out for me with 2 pencils in case I need them.
I nod to the director that I am ready. He gave us the lead in beat and we were playing 'Sleigh Ride'. This is a fairly annoying song as a performer but always a crowd pleaser. We go through the varying hiccups with the xylophone being behind the beat, the horns too loud in the place, and more crack needed on the whip sound. Once all the direction was given, we do it again so it's right.
Fifteen minutes later we have moved on to the second song. We all shuffled our music to 'the Christmas Song' (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire). Again, the problems. Too much timpani drums, not enough cello, first and second violins are not together, and "richer sounds all around people" bellowed the director. Then we do it again to make sure it is right.
When we finally completed the second song, the directo put his hand out flat, open palm toward me and again the symphony and chorus applauded. I gave them the thank you nod and slight smile (about the same smile Mr. B gives people).
"Chorus and orchestra, take a break but remain quiet backstage." The orchestra always exits first since they are carrying instruments. During that time I can see a bunch of the women in the choir are winking at me, waving at me and talking to each other while pointing at me. Ugh! I am NOT into cougars. The choir then gets up and exits stage left.
The director sat on a stool at his podium and turned to listen to me run through my set. Even though these are my solos, as the director he still has a say on how I perform each song. Mr. B, Kota, Doc and Princess are all sitting in the audience seats on the fourth row center stage. I try to just think about playing for my family. My set is:
Beethoven's Bagatella No. 25 in A minor (Fur Elise)
Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1 in G minor (Winter Dreams)
Vivaldi's Four Seanons first movement (Winter)
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
The last two songs are just so the crowd gets what they are coming for, 'to get in the Christmas mood'. As I look out at my family Princess is wiping away tears from her face and the others look pleased. The director dismisses me with instructions for being here at 6:30pm. Curtain call at 6:55pm. Concert is to start at 7:00pm. Including intermission, the full concert should be over by 9pm. Then I have the after concert meet and greet which usually takes another hour, at least. But this time I have the full support of my family without my father being present.
I exit the stage without taking my music. I know Kota will be up here in a moment to gather it for me. North, and Silas are waiting stage left for me, so I can get through the orchestra and chorus crowd backstage. Nathan is waiting at the door of my dressing room. Gabe and Luke are inside my dressing room and have everything set up for me tomorrow. Even the stage makeup is already set.
Our plan is to meet back here in my dressing room until the symphony and choir begin again, then leave. That way I don't have to deal with too many people wanting to talk to me. This might sound like I am being a Diva, but it really just takes too much out of me to have to be 'on' two days in a row. Tomorrow will be bad enough.
We don't wait long for the others to join us. Princess circled my waist in a hug. "That was beautiful Victor."
"Thank you Princess." I hugged her back.
"Fantastic Victor!" Doc said to me.
"Well done." Kota slapped me on the back, then placed all my music on the shelf.
"You made Aggele cry Victor." Silas said with a chuckle.
"Sounds good." North grunted.
"I wish I could have heard it, but all the choir people and orchestra people are just noisy back here by the dressing rooms. And some of those older women are way too forward." Nathan complained.
"Gabe and I will hear you tomorrow." Luke announced.
"He is going to be fan-fucking-tastic too!" He beamed at me.
"Mr. Coleman is right, but without the colorful language. You had that director mezmarized. He didn't feel the need to change anything about your set." Mr. B offered me his slight smile of approval.
"Can we go eat now? I'm starved!" Silas rubbed his stomach as he semi-whined.
We made our way in the party bus to 'Bentley's on 27' for lunch. We have a reservation at 1pm. The restaurant is known for excellent views of the Queen City, and it doesn't disappoint. It is located on the 27th Floor of the Charlotte Plaza.
Princess practically plastered her face against the glass looking out at the city. We had to encourage her to sit down. But we made sure she sat facing the view. The owner Jim Emad came by our table to welcome us to his establishment. The food is classic French dishes prepared and presented at the table with the use of a gueridon (a mobile cooking cart used in French tableside service).
French food is so rich and creamy and Princess' eyes rolled back in her head when she took her first bite of soup. She moaned when she took her first bite of her chicken dish. And she fanned her hand against her cheeks with her head tilted back when she took a bite of her creme brûlée.
We all watched her during each course of our meal before we began eating. It was like watching someone have a food orgasm. Stunning! Gorgeous! Breathtaking!
After lunch, we got back in the party bus to go to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. It is a four story red building and out front is a giant two story sculpture of an angel that looks like it is on fire.
"Aggele, you are prettier than this angel." Silas said to Princess.
"Can you even call that an angel? It looks more like a PMSing Bitch on Crack." North gives his opinion about the sculpture.
Mr. B ran his hand down his face. "Please North. We are having such a lovely day. Do we really need to bring it down with comments like that?"
"North kind of has a point though. Look at that sculpture and look at Peanut. There is no comparison."
Princess just giggled. Gabriel and Luke each grabbed one of her hands as we made our way into the building. The entry in the museum was the full four stories. There was a humongous painting that was three stories high and the same width as the wall. It was cobalt blue and had a red, yellow and orange geometric design on it.
We walked around slowly, reading plaques and just letting Gabriel and Princess take in all the artwork. Out the back door was a huge skull that was painted lots of vibrant colors. It was taller than Princess but most of the guys were taller than the skull.
"This reminds me of Spanish masks painted for Dia de Los Muertos" (the day of the dead). Princess pointed out.
"I agree Peanut. Next Dia de Los Muertos we will have to make cookies and a full on feast."
"Make sure to invite me to that party. I even have a skeleton costume I can wear." Luke added.
We made our way through all four levels by the time the sun was going down. The front of the building is a wall of windows.
"Look at that sunset!" Doc mused. We were on the 4th floor, and we lined up along the railing looking at the sunset.
"Perfectly painted tonight." Gabe pointed out.
"Indeed it is." Mr. B agreed.
Kota scoot behind Sang, wrapped his arms around her waist, rested his chin on her shoulder and asked, "are you ready to go back to the house now Ten?"
"Yes. Thank you all for today, and everyday we have had. This trip has been marvelous."