When the curtains are drawn

When I was in primary school, some ten years ago, I joined the school's choir as part of my compulsory extra-curricular activity. I don't have much memories from that part of my past, but I recall we would sing the same thing over and over again until our conductor was satisfied. Then one day, we were told that we had to perform a song in front of the school for national day. So for the next few practices, we did what we do best - sing the same thing again and again. Except we didn't sing our silly practise songs. The song we sang was written for the stage.

On the eve of national day in the year two thousand, our long awaited day arrived. We were beyond excited as we stood behind the drawn curtains, waiting for our introduction from the MC. It's just like practice. I told myself. Just do it! At that point, I heard the cue for the curtains to be drawn. We were suddenly faced with so many faces! I thought I would throw up there and then. The conductor got our attention in time. And at the fourth stroke of her baton, we sang.

There was no accompaniment, just our voices in the otherwise quiet assembly hall. It was then I understood why we had to spend many afternoons practising this. So accustomed to the song were we that we managed to gracefully leap over many dangerous pit holes on the music score. The song was finished with such perfection that the conductor actually smiled. It was the first time (and also the last) I saw her smile. Then something unexpected happened. The audience below, who have been very quiet since, clapped. I was shocked for a moment. Not because I think we didn't deserve it (for we did) but because we were not told to be expecting this. And boy, it felt great.

This is like now. Perhaps we are doing something not easily appreciated by many. But we kept on going, despite the lack of understanding and applause. This is like practice. There might or not might be a chance to perform. But when there is one, leave no hesitation in the minds of the audience to give a standing ovation.