Christmas Song

So, Jessica, just to be clear--

Given the merger, there are now going to be two music programs?

For now.

Can you reach this hook? You're taller than me.

Already decorating for Christmas, huh?

My therapist told me to find things to keep my mind

off the merger. Something less stressful.

Like Christmas.

Less stressful... like Christmas...right.

I know you hate it, Diana, but just give me this.

Hang this for me.

Oh, I'm feeling better already.

The merger's gone that badly, huh?

Merging an all-girls school with an all-boys school...

are you kidding?

There are so many issues to resolve.

GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!

Making sure that proper behavior is observed.

Trying to make sure that the existing facilities

are co-educational.

Hello, boys.

Even the little things like merging our athletic program.

But the thing I hate most of all?

Eliminating unnecessary ...duplication.

Okay, now I'm stressed out.

I'm gonna-- Go set up for class.

The composers have been arguing for years

about what feeling certain keys convey.

For example, C-major is usually thought of

as bright and sunny. But...

Composer Hecter Barlio, 1803 to 1869

called C-major serious, deaf and dull.

B-minor is about accepting one's fate!

It's usually referred to as the key of patience!

Which I have no more of!

Okay!

I can't take this anymore.

I'll be back in a minute, just shout quietly

amongst yourselves in the meantime--

Can I talk to you for a minute?!

Hi, can I talk to you for a minute?!

I can't hear you!

CAN I TALK TO YOU FOR A MINUTE?!

Woah! Stop, stop-- Stop, stop, stop, stop--

Excellent. I love it.

Five minutes, I'll be right back.

What was that all about?

What?

That...noise.

It's called rhythm.

You know, as in, "I got..."

Really, because I call it pounding as in headache.

I'm trying to teach a music class right next door.

What do you think I'm doing?

Well, pounding everything in sight isn't exactly music.

It's self-expression.

Yeah, well, so are facial tattoos,

but I don't think we should be encouraging those.

Well you can't make music without a beat.

And if you'll excuse me, I've got students waiting.

Can you--

Wow.

Hi--

Sorry about that. Sorry--

I can't hear myself think--

...teach the basics of rhythm.

There are things called textbooks.

You can't teach music from a book.

Really? What you think I've been doing?

Don't you know either?

Very funny.

Look, I'm just trying to teach my students

the fundamentals and history of music.

I think that's important--

All I'm trying to do is teach these kids

to find music within themselves--

ENOUGH!

Now, please stop arguing about who is teaching the right way.

Just be thankful you've got jobs.

Are you trying to tell us something?

Nothing specific, no.

It's just that we're under budgetary pressures

and as usual the first things to get trimmed are the arts.

And here we are with two music teachers

who cannot agree on what to teach.

It's just that without--

...these kids, they have the music within them--

No, no, this, this--

Is exactly what I mean.

Now, look, we all agree that music is a vital part

of education, but eventually I am going to have to face

the board who sit there behind there ledgers

and they're going to want proof.

I don't know how I can prove something like that. I mean--

With public support.

If you can get the alumni and the parents

to protect the program, then you've got a chance

at keeping the program alive.

We could organize a recital.

Forget recitals. The only people who come to recitals

are the ones who like the music program already.

No, no, we need a bigger tent.

Now, here--

Have a look at that.

Christmas song contest.

Could be interesting.

Forget interesting, this is going to be televised.

That is the kind of exposure we need.

Yeah, gee... if I may, it just seems like

we may be exploiting the students.

I'll do it.

Good.

How about you, Ken? In or out?

Kasdan and Cresswell can submit two entrees?

It says-- It says right here--

One entry per music program.

Since we have two separate music programs still,

I don't see why you both can't enter.

You realize, don't you, that eventually

your positions will be merged.

The board will have to choose one of you

as a sole music director.

Well, would winning this contest help?

It certainly couldn't hurt.

I'm in.

Me too.

Good.

Well, then may the best music director win.

Give 'em a call...

So, we've got a judge with a musical background.

We'll be relying on her opinion,

but also the phone and text votes for each competitor.

That's actually pasty--

Excuse me?

Uh, sorry, I was thinking about something else.

Uh, any-who, we're looking for teams.

So, duos are preferred but we will take a trio.

Absolutely not--

Oh, we weren't planning on doing a trio anyway, so...

Yeah, uh--

What?

No, no, no, when I said absolutely not--

I meant a tie. I was talking about a tie.

Right, right-- What about a tie?

What happens in the case of a tie?

Well, the right one... makes my eyes pop.

I'm sorry, I'm not following--

What?

Look, it's very simple.

Any Christmas carol, any arrangements.

It could be classic, it could be contemporary.

Contemporary--

Classic--

Like I said, it's your call.

The publicity from this thing is fantastic.

So is the $10,000 prize.

Sounds good.

I'll be signing up.

Yeah, me too!

Perfect.

I forget the rest.

You know, don't even worry about it.

Thank you.

Great! Thank you.

Thank you...

Hey, I know her.

She's in my fourth period class.

I hope she's better at history than she is at singing.

Come on, of all the girls you've heard,

there has to be at least two you can work with.

The only one I like is Liz Strade.

You gotta be kidding.

The girl voted most likely to?

What's that supposed to mean?

Hello, boys.

I'm--

You're right.

I shouldn't say that, but--

She's kind of the original party girl.

She has a good voice.

I mean, she's a little untrained--

Yeah, no kidding she's untrained.

She's too busy having a good time.

You know, I think this could be different.

I mean, she's obviously got a healthy ego.

Obviously...

This is a chance to showcase herself,

If she doesn't put the work in,

she's the one who comes across looking bad.

Yeah, maybe...

Hey-- What about Amy Barns?

She didn't audition.

She babysits for me sometimes,

and she sings when she puts Harry down.

She has a beautiful voice.

Really?

Yeah.

I don't think I've ever heard her say anything.

I know, she's kind of shy.

Well, that could be a problem for a television appearance.