Rehearsal

A young, diverse group of students enter a classroom at the Conservatory of Lyon, where an enthusiastic teacher awaits them. When one student addresses him with “Sir,” he corrects her in a resolute tone: “is for personal questions. I am not dealing with personal questions now.” The class begins with breathing and diaphragm exercises and facial muscle massage. Then the actual practice starts with the choir piece by 19th-century German composer Robert Schumann, followed by by his contemporary Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. The camera captures the students as they struggle to stay focused – they seem far more concerned with where they’re standing in the group than what they’re working on. While the teacher delivers gentle yet impassioned instructions, they cannot stop themselves from exchanging knowing glances, which leads to a serious scolding. After all, this is one of the last rehearsals before the end-of-the-year concert, and it’s time to get focused. After a short silence and a wholehearted humming session, the students finally open up to the music.