Sound! Euphonium (2015) s01e03 Episode Script

1
Now, I'm stuck
playing the euphonium.
Well, based on how everyone
voted, it appears
we're going to try to earn
a spot in Nationals this year.
You should try
to be careful, too, Kumiko.
Three years
can really pass by in a flash.
-[bell tolling]
-[birds chirping]
[indistinct chatter]
♪
[grunts]
[inhales and exhales]
-[HAZUKI] I'm so exhausted!
-[chuckles]
[gasps]
Please take that desk
and come with me.
Huh?
Uh, okay.
[sighs]
[giggles]
[STUDENTS IN BAND]
Hello!
What's up, guys?
[YUUKO] [gasping]
Hey!
That's so not
where your chair goes!
Oh! I'm so sorry!
[KUMIKO] Every
practice starts with a meeting.
And the band president tells us
what we're working on
for the day.
[HARUKA]
Today, we'll be teaching
the first years
how to do abdominal breathing.
We'll meet in the inner garden.
Third years,
do your best to guide
all of our new students,
please.
[STUDENTS IN BAND]
Okay.
♪
Episode 3
The First Ensemble
[KUMIKO]
During our sectional practice,
everyone splits up into smaller
groups based on instruments.
Each section practices
in a separate space
to avoid disturbing
the others.
Percussion stays
in the music room,
since those instruments
are hard to move.
Woodwind instruments
are sensitive
to water and sunlight,
so that group goes to
an empty classroom nearby.
The brass group
can play outside,
so they go wherever
there's space left.
And so on.
Our school's bass players
from each section
all practice together
during sectional rehearsals.
Because there aren't
many of us.
This is where our beautiful
bass section holds rehearsals.
Anytime the ensemble
has sectionals,
we meet in this room, AKA 3-3.
Oh.
Does that really need an "AKA?"
Goto!
Come on! You're supposed to
pump up the mood, my dude!
Hey, what happened
to all the other first years?
Weren't there
three of you guys?
Ah! They're practicing
abdominal breathing.
[KAORI] Inhale.
Now exhale.
[exhales]
Very slowly, make sure
you breathe from your belly,
that's right, long and stea--
-[coughing]
-Huh!
I know it can be
difficult at first,
but you'll improve over time.
The trick is blowing
long and steady.
Oh!
[inhales and exhales]
[exhaling shakily]
[whimpering]
[coughing]
-Hey, Hazuki, check this out.
-Huh?
[KAORI]
These things are perfect
for practicing
abdominal breathing.
You just picture keeping
the end extended
for a really, really long time.
Just like this.
[blows]
That was awesome.
[MIDORI]
Hazuki, Kumiko.
Can we take back our girls now?
They're not property, Asuka.
What's going on?
We've got important
stuff to do.
Don't you remember, girly?
They still have
to pick their partners!
[ALL]
Our what?
Instrument Room
[ASUKA] Now, don't you
be shy with those instruments!
Take 'em out for a spin, girls!
You're ridiculously loud.
[HAZUKI]
Oh, wow!
I never knew
there were so many instruments!
[ASUKA] The ones that
are currently being used
are already downstairs.
So you can grab anything
on these shelves.
Hazuki, the tubas
are right over there.
[HAZUKI]
Oh! Okay!
[grunts]
It's huge!
Heavy, too!
-You all right?
-[sighs]
You know how to open it?
[HAZUKI] You
just flip this thing, right?
Ah!
Do you want it?
Huh?
Well, I mean, I might, um
Take your time and look around,
there's no rush!
'Kay.
[gasping]
[MIDORI]
I'm gonna choose this one!
Well, that was pretty fast!
Uh-huh, we locked eyes
and it was done!
Wait, that thing has eyes?
Yeah, I opened it,
and they looked right at me.
♪
[HAZUKI]
Eyes?
I've decided
Georgie is his name!
-Awesome, right?
-Georgie?
[MIDORI]
Yep!
Wait, are we supposed
to give them a name?
A lot of people
name their instruments.
Oh, they do, do they?
Then I'm naming mine, too!
[HAZUKI] Um Tuba,
tuboopeedoo, tubey-wooby.
Oh, I know.
This is Tubacabra!
-[Tubacabra growling]
-What the heck is that?
[HAZUKI] You've never
heard of the Chupacabra?
[ASUKA] Kumiko Oumae,
the euphs are over here.
[KUMIKO]
Okay, um,
you've got two of them,
is that right?
More than enough options!
Mm-hmm.
[KUMIKO] There are
so many other instruments left.
I would recommend this one.
[ASUKA] The fourth
piston valve is lower,
so it's a bit easier to play.
It may be a little old, but
Here.
Yeah, I like it.
No one played that one
last year,
so I bet it's dying to be
played now!
It's screaming,
"Please won't you play me?"
Why does it have
an accent though?
Makes it more real.
So, what do you think?
Hmm.
[sighs]
[KUMIKO]
I'll go with this one.
[ASUKA]
All right, guys,
let's all try making
some noise together.
But Natsuki isn't here yet.
It's 5:00,
she probably went home.
She didn't even go
to the instrument room,
she was never
planning on staying.
[RIKO]
Hey, you don't know that.
-[TAKUYA] Yeah, I do.
-[blows]
Alrighty, guys.
Now that we have
all the first years back here,
we should try tuning together.
Hey, but at yesterday's
meeting,
you said we'd all play
as a group.
Yeah, we did, but
[NOBORU] Anyway, let me know
when you're good enough
to actually play
as an ensemble.
[indistinct chatter]
[HARUKA] But what piece
should we play?
I'm fine with anything really.
Just, something
you're all good at.
[indistinct chatter]
All right, I'll choose.
The "Marines' Hymn,"
how bout you practice that?
The "Marines' Hymn?"
[HAZUKI]
Is that a very difficult piece?
[KUMIKO] No, it's actually
a pretty simple piece to play.
[RIKO] It's a beginner's
concert band piece
Is that the song selection
we're playing at SunFest?
[ASUKA] Well, I don't think
that's what we were
officially told, but
Hey, what's a "SunFest?"
I'll tell you about it
later on.
[RIKO]
If it's not what we're playing,
we have to choose something
else soon,
or we'll run out of time.
That Mister Taki's pretty hot,
isn't he?
Oh?
Kumiko, what do you think?
Huh?
Um. I'm not sure.
[chuckles]
[TAKUYA] Are you
serious, girls, who cares?
[ASUKA]
Come on everybody, let's play.
[RIKO]
Oops! Sorry!
[HAZUKI]
Sunrise Festival?
[KUMIKO]
Yeah or SunFest for short.
It's a big thing around here.
It's a marching band exhibition
with concert bands from
different schools in the area.
Wow, can we pull that off?
You're a new band member,
so you might just be doing
steps this time, Hazuki.
It's a sax!
Didn't get it again?
[groans]
[HAZUKI]
That girl from class said
she'd give you one
since she already has two.
That doesn't count!
If I don't find it
with my own two hands,
there's no point in having it!
You're pretty stubborn,
aren't you?
Isn't she, Kumiko?
-Huh?
-Huh?
[panting]
[KUMIKO]
I'm so tired.
[blowing]
[coughing]
She said breathe
from your belly, remember?
Here, lemme see.
[blows]
Wow, you can already do it,
Kumiko?
Maybe I'm not cut out for this.
But you've only just began
your musical journey.
Yeah.
When I first started
to play contrabass,
it made my fingers hurt
so much.
I honestly didn't think
I'd be able to do it.
But check me out!
[gasping]
Oh, my!
Yeah, for us it'll be the same.
In a week, I bet your lips
will be super sore!
It's so painful at the start.
Oh, my gosh, really?
[MIDORI] Some people
say it's as tough on your body
as playing sports.
Ah, I wonder if that's why
there aren't too many
second years.
-Huh?
-Thank you! I know, right?
I also noticed there weren't]
many second years playing.
Oh, yeah.
And there were
a lot of instruments left over.
Maybe the group
used to be bigger.
I wonder if something happened.
[ALL]
Hmm.
It's here.
[KUMIKO]
I'm home.
[sighs]
[KUMIKO]
Oh. Um
Sis, hey, you're home.
You decided to join
concert band, huh?
So, what does it matter?
[MAMIKO]
Euph again, I see.
-[gasps]
-Please don't play.
It's so noisy.
I won't play.
I just have to clean it
a little because apparently,
it wasn't used for a year.
[Mamiko sighs]
[grunts]
[RIKO] Here. It's way easier
with a stand, right?
Yeah.
My button's stuck.
Oh, you have to put on
some rotor oil,
so everything works smoothly.
-Hey!
-That's better.
Try playing it a bit.
[blows]
Oh! I made it work!
And this right here is a tuner.
[RIKO] You tune your
instrument using this thing.
[HAZUKI]
How do you do it?
[RIKO]
Here, watch this.
Ahh, my little saplings
are growing so fast!
Fantastic.
Are you sure
the euphs are all okay?
[ASUKA]
We're absolutely fine.
We've got Kumiko, right?
Uh, well, I mean, I'm
That's not what I was saying.
-[ASUKA] Oh.
-[KUMIKO] Oh.
Yeah, don't worry
about all that.
She'll jump in
and play when she has to.
[grunts]
[MIDORI]
There aren't too many
second years playing
in this band, are there?
[ASUKA]
Well, that's, uh
First years don't need
to worry about it.
[TAKUYA]
It's not your problem.
Hey, take it easy, you don't
need to talk like that.
Um, uh
[TAKUYA]
I'm stepping outside.
♪
Sorry, Midori,
don't let it bother you.
[MIDORI]
Oh, well, I'm sorry, too.
[ASUKA]
Oh, Kumiko, it's time to play
as an ensemble,
can you call the horns?
They're in the classroom
downstairs.
[KUMIKO]
Sure.
[HIRO]
Ready, set, three.
[MICHIYO]
Ready, set, four!
[LALA]
Ready, set, zero.
[all giggling]
[JURI]
Ready, set, two!
[all laughing]
[indistinct chatter]
Music Room
Now let's try to play together.
Get ready, guys.
Huh?
Huh? Right now?
They're saying
it's pointless to practice
the "Marines' Hymn" every day.
And we should have him come now
because SunFest and the
competition are coming up soon.
Oh.
[groaning]
Oh, man, if we have to.
Staff Room
[NOBORU]
Okay.
I'll head that way right now.
♪
Okay.
Mister Taki, we're ready
to play for you now.
Mm-hmm.
Okay, folks. Let's run it
for the first time.
Is everybody ready
to play this song?
I'm looking forward
to working with you.
All right, then, let's go ahead
and begin the piece
from the top.
[NOBORU]
Three, four.
♪
♪
[NOBORU]
Okay. That's enough.
So, what was that?
Anyone?
-[NOBORU] Miss Ogasawara.
-Huh?
[NOBORU]
I thought I said to let me know
when you're good enough
to play as an ensemble.
That's right, sir.
[NOBORU]
And this is the result?
[gasps]
I'm sorry.
Let me ask, what do you
all think an ensemble is?
[NOBORU] Your thoughts,
Mister Tsukamoto?
Yeah, well, I, um,
think that an ensemble
is a group of people that
play together
and make sound as one.
Yes, that's correct.
Right now, every section has
too many issues of its own
to actually play
as an ensemble.
Have you all been doing
your sectional rehearsals?
-[HIDERI] Yes, we have.
-[NOBORU] Hmm?
All of us are practicing.
We work in our sections
every day,
and then play as a group.
Seriously, how are we even
supposed to know
what's wrong if you don't
tell us specifics?
[HIRO] Yeah, you just
keep saying we aren't good.
Understood, why don't
I give you an example.
[NOBORU] Okay, trombones,
let's take it from the top,
and play along
with this metronome.
-Got it?
-[metronome ticking]
One, two, three, four.
♪
[NOBORU]
Okay. That's enough.
So how did everyone feel about
that performance we just heard?
Who thought it was good?
And who thought it wasn't?
And that's true
for not only the trombones,
but all the other
instruments as well.
Each section
was unbearable to listen to.
And that means it's not good.
[NOBORU]
You decided as a group
that we're going for Nationals.
So your playing will have to be
at a minimum standard
during sectionals.
You're not even ready
for instruction at this point.
I ask that you all
please not waste my time.
-Madam president.
-Yes.
[NOBORU]
That'll be it for today.
We'll make time next Wednesday
to play as an ensemble.
You're dismissed.
Um, wait, but
[NOBORU]
What is it?
What are we playing
for the Sunrise Festival?
Well, that's certainly
not something
you should be worried
about at this time.
If the group isn't improved
by next week,
I don't think that any of you
should want to participate
in SunFest.
Excuse me.
♪
[door slides shut]
What's his problem? Jeez!
[JURI]
He just got here,
but he says
we're not going to SunFest?
[HIDERI]
Yeah, does he really want us
to practice this same piece
for another week?
President Haruka, you should
really try to speak with him.
-Huh?
-We play in SunFest
every year,
it's just not right.
[gasps]
But
[ASUKA]
All right! Listen up!
I'm not Prince Shotoku, people,
please speak one at a time.
Do you really think
he'll listen
if Haruka goes over there
right now to speak to him?
What, do you want us to just
do what he says, then?
No, that's not what I'm saying.
[ASUKA]
At any rate, there's no point
in the entire ensemble talking
about it together like this.
Why don't we meet as sections
to get everyone's opinions,
and then the section leaders
can talk it over?
Oh, yeah, I think
that's an awesome idea.
All right,
that's sounds like a plan!
[chuckles]
[sighs]
[grunts]
Dang, a horn!
Midori, why don't you
just give it up already!
Because I'm always gonna
try to shoot for the moon!
Even if I don't make it.
[HAZUKI]
Cool, okay! Bye!
[MIDORI]
No! Wait for me!
[HAZUKI] Did the ensemble
really sound that bad today?
[KUMIKO]
Well, yeah.
[MIDORI] We didn't
start the piece together.
Some people missed
the first beat.
Oh, really?
If we had all
just practiced more,
we would've been able to do it.
[KUMIKO]
Oh! Shuuichi.
Hey, Kumiko.
-What's up?
-Yeah, well, um
-Hmm?
-[gasps]
[MIDORI]
Hey, do you want us to go?
-Huh?
-No! Not at all.
It's definitely not like that.
[SHUUICHI]
I just wanted to talk to you
about something.
[KUMIKO]
So they all quit band?
Yeah. Guess
it was about half of the 30
current second year
students who decided to quit.
But why?
Well, apparently,
the second years who quit
were a little too agro
or gung-ho or something.
And evidently,
they kept clashing
with last year's third years
[MIDORI]
So, all the people who were
actually enthusiastic quit.
[SHUUICHI]
Yep. And you girls notice
there's a lot of lazy
second years?
Yeah. But Goto and Riko
are both super hard-working
and serious musicians.
Yeah, some of our
sectional leaders are.
But wasn't it obvious,
the way people
were complaining
at the end of rehearsal?
[SHUUICHI]
I haven't even seen the horns
practice properly
one time this year.
Uh, oh.
Well, that sucks.
There's no way
our school's band
could ever make it to
Nationals the way we play now.
[all gasp]
-[Haruka sighs]
-[KAORI] For starters.
I'll take care of getting
the trumpets on board with us.
Your group and Asuka's group
will be okay, too, I'm sure.
I don't think
it will be too difficult
for you to navigate
the section leaders' meeting.
Yeah.
[HARUKA]
But if something like this
happens again.
If it does happen, we'll figure
out what to do together.
You're right.
[sighs]
And I was so sure
what happened last year
wouldn't happen again
this year.
-[ASUKA] Look, who's here!
-[BOTH] Oh!
What are you ladies
getting up to?
[HARUKA]
Jeez, Asuka, you're still here?
[sighs]
Yeah, playing alone helps me
when something's bothering me.
Anyway, what's going on?
[ASUKA] You stirring up
some secret plans?
No, of course not!
Don't be silly, Asuka!
I still need you for that
meeting tomorrow.
You know I've got you!
I'm your faithful servant,
Madame president.
And with that,
I'm outtie, girls!
[ASUKA]
Adios, amigos!
Same Asuka as always.
Sure is.
[KUMIKO]
We all hoped that
at the section leaders'
meeting,
President Haruka would be
able to calm everyone down,
and our rehearsals
would go on as usual.
But the next day, the part of
me that had been optimistic,
was majorly disappointed.
Huh!
[MIDORI]
It's canceled?
We thought that we could
still practice individually
in our sections,
but now it seems like
Some people thought it would
be pointless to do that.
So rehearsals are canceled
until the section leaders
can meet and discuss it all.
I'm so sorry!
Oh!
[KUMIKO]
We also heard some gossip,
that a few of the students
started saying
that they wouldn't practice
at all
until we decide what to do
about Mister Taki's policy.
♪
[KUMIKO] And as
first years, the three of us
had no choice
but to go along with it.
[HAZUKI] Do you think
the band is going to be okay?
[MIDORI]
I don't know, but I think
President Haruka and the others
are doing what they can.
[HAZUKI] Well, if we're
going to do this thing at all,
I want to do it right!
I gave up having fun
after school for this.
You know what?
I did, too!
But now I think
it's gonna come down
to what each of us make of it.
But concert band
is not a solo activity.
We all have to move in
the same direction,
and we all have to work hard.
Otherwise, it's pointless.
[MIDORI]
Yeah.
But does working hard mean
we have to get angry
at the people
who don't care as much?
[HAZUKI]
I don't know, it's a tough one.
[MIDORI]
What do you think, Kumiko?
♪
[HAZUKI]
Oh!
Who's that?
[KUMIKO]
That's Reina.
[MIDORI]
Huh?
[KUMIKO]
It's Reina Kousaka.
♪
[KUMIKO]
She's playing
"From the New World."
I heard Dvorak wrote it
when he was in the States.
And he was thinking about
his homeland of Bohemia
♪
[KUMIKO] While living in
a barren, brand-new world.
♪
[wind whooshing]
[screaming]
[panting]
♪
[KUMIKO]
That day,
the three of us went home
without saying another word.
And the day after that,
the three of us went to
practice without saying a word.
[KUMIKO] [gasps]
And so
Good morning!
[both chuckle]
[KUMIKO]
The next piece begins!
To Be Continued