SERIES On Wings Of Song

Kildartie High School’s caretaker is called upon for an unusual task.

JED FERGUSON, janitor of Kildartie High School and Rose Lane Primary School, did not usually sing while the buildings were occupied.

When Lizzie Martin had first heard him singing it had been in the evening, while he was waiting for the Kildartie Singers to come to Monday practice.

Lizzie had dragged him upstairs from the basement to demonstrate his voice to Rodney and the choir.

Nowadays Jed was an established member of the bass section, but he still didn’t like to sing while he was working.

He might hum the odd number, but he didn’t want to draw attention to himself by giving full vent to his lower notes. The resonance round the boiler and other metallic fittings in the basement might well bring the school to a standstill!

He was surprised when Rodney Taylor sought him out during working hours.

“Hi, Jed,” Rodney said, halfway down the high school basement steps. “Are you free within the next ten minutes?”

Jed gave a frown, not sure if he was going to be asked to do something wildly outside his remit.

“Has something gone wrong? Do you need the piano shifted?”

“Not at all. And if I do need the piano shifted, there’s plenty strong lads to do it without having to bother you. No, it’s your voice I’m looking for.”

Jed’s frown deepened and Rodney came down another couple of steps.

“The thing is, Jed,” he said, “I’ve got a bunch of fourth-year boys who are supposed to be singing in ‘The Pirates Of Penzance’, and I can’t get them to open up their chests and let fly.”

“Right,” Jed said, still not clear what was being asked.

“You know how to do that without even thinking about it. I would be very grateful if you could come and give a demonstration.” Jed paused.

“You want me to sing ‘The Pirates Of Penzance’?”

“No. I want you to sing ‘Ol’ Man River’. Remember when Lizzie first brought you in and you sang it to the choir? I just want you to do that again.”

The fourth-year boys in Kildartie High School were not at all serious-minded. Their amazement when Jed appeared at the classroom door was closely followed by suppressed merriment.

Jed scowled deeply, his ancient sweatshirt and jeans contrasting with Mr Taylor’s smart suit and tie.

“Right, boys,” Rodney said, raising his voice. “I’ve brought Mr Ferguson in because I want you to hear what a really good singer sounds like close up.”

Jed looked both pleased and embarrassed.

“The other thing about Mr Ferguson is that he sings bass. Now, some of you are tenors, but you can learn just as much from listening as everyone else can.

“The other thing you can do is watch. Mr Ferguson uses his whole chest, from his diaphragm upwards. Watch and learn.”

Jed was more surprised with every passing moment. He had no idea he had a diaphragm, far less that he was using it to sing!

In one way, he felt a little foolish for not knowing, but on the other he was glad he was getting something right, even if accidentally.

Jed started off “Ol’ Man River” with a gentle deep sound, a kind of rumble in his chest, which got louder and more resonant as the song progressed.

His chest filled and his voice got richer and more powerful. By the time he got to the end, he had moved up into the baritone range, almost into the tenor, and his voice ricocheted off the walls of Music Room One.

The boys were spellbound. Not only could they see exactly what Mr Taylor had been telling them, but they were also mesmerised and moved by the sentiments expressed by the character.

There was no doubting the anguish of the big powerful slave whose song it was. Jed had given him a whole new dimension.

As the sound of Jed’s voice and Rodney’s accompaniment faded, the silence went on and on. Eventually, it was Rodney who broke it.

“See what I mean, boys?” he said quietly. “Thank you, Mr Ferguson. That was tremendous.”

One boy began a tentative clap, and the others joined in, so that Jed blushed and felt compelled to take a short bow.

Once he had left, Rodney turned again to the class.

“I’m not expecting any of you to sound like that,” he said. “But you could get a bit nearer than you are. Let me show you where your diaphragm is.”

More next week.