A Deserved Honor
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Cali, Eimi
Date Posted: 19th October 2008
Characters: F'gol, Almonteo
Description: Figol's piece has been chosen to be featured in a Turns End apprentice recital.
Location: Harper Hall
Date: month 12, day 10 of Turn 4
Figol was nervous, and excited, but more nervous than excited as he knocked on the Hallmaster's door. His composition had been selected as a finalist for the Turn's End celebration and now he got to meet with the Hallmaster and discuss the piece. Yep, definitely more nervous than excited.
"Come in Figol," the Hallmaster called. The apprentice had been expected.
"Morning sir," was all Figol could think to say as he entered the room. There was a seat across from the Master, but he didn't know if he should take it or not so he stood awkwardly half way between it and the door.
"Have a seat," Almonteo waved as he riffled through the sheet music on his desk. "I received your submission for the Turns End Apprentice Composition Recital. It was rather good." Now if he could just find it.
The apprentice flashed a grin but then tamped down on it as he sat down. The Hallmaster had only said it was good, that probably meant he had lost. "Um, thank you sir."
"As you know, we can only accept a certain number of pieces for the recital," the Hallmaster said, still shuffling papers. He was usually better organized, but preparations for Turns End had thrown that out the window. "Yours caught the Master's attention. With a little work, it will do nicely."
Figol was slack-jawed for a moment before he composed himself. The Hallmaster had just said he'd won... hadn't he? "It does need work," he hastily agreed, "it was sort of a last minute thing actually. I'd a better prepared piece I was going to turn in, but that dolphin rescue we'd heard about sort of inspired me."
"Yes, I could really catch your attempt to paint the sound," the Hallmaster nodded, referring to the undulating rhythm that made one think of ocean waves.
The apprentice nodded eagerly, "Is the chorus okay? I used minor chording because I wanted that feeling of helplessness and lost hope as the couple drifted, but I do have alternate chords that are more upbeat I could use instead..."
"Well, you can show us both and we can decide from there. I will want you to work with one of the Masters to refine your piece." Master Fursao should have the time and he seemed to enjoy working with apprentices on challenging pieces.
"Of course, that would be great." One on one time with a Master wasn't something that came often, he would definetly take the opportunity and use it to it's fullest.
"Now Figol, it can be aggravating at times to have a Master pick apart a piece you worked hard on, but he will do it only to help you get better. Just keep that in mind." Some composers took any criticism of their work as a personal attack. Not only apprentices but journeyman and Masters too. Even occasionally Hallmasters.
Figol nodded, "I understand, I'm just excited that you thought it was worth the try to fix it. I didn't think anyone would think it worthy of even that."
"You did just fine," the Hallmaster assured him. "So I will ask Master Fursao to meet with you in the next couple days and you can see what he says. He can be a touch critic, but he has a good ear and you can learn a lot from him. We will meet again next sevenday to see how the piece is progressing."
"Yes sir." He didn't know Master Fursao very well, he dealt mostly with Journeymen and commissioned pieces. But this had been what he wanted, he had wanted to prove that he wasn't just a gitar player, that he was a composer, and no composer had it perfect the first time. Figol felt that the Hallmaster was finished with him so he stood back up. "Thank you again Master."
"It was a very good piece and you deserved the honor, Figol," Almonteo said with a nod of approval. "Master Fursao will be contacting you later in the sevenday."
The apprentice beamed, unable to hide his elation anymore, "Yes sir, and I'll work on it till then too. I'll have it perfect before Turn's End."
Last updated on the October 20th 2008