【原文译文】
音乐厅里的舞台灯光暗了下来，隔壁学校的音乐会乐队在台上安顿下来。首席小提琴手是一位年轻的小提琴家，他要求每个小组演奏，精确而优雅地调音。音乐总监一出场，空中就响起了一阵掌声。
一年一度的高中音乐节是我这一年的高潮。作为一名音乐老师，我从来没有错过过一堂课，总是被音乐总监在学生身上激发出的非凡才能所震惊。但今年可能是我最后一次来这里了。随着年龄的增长，我想退休的愿望越来越强烈。
老实说，当我看到这些学校乐队的时候，我心里总是有一种不满和嫉妒，因为我从来没有把乐队培养到这个水平。我在一所小小学教书。我的学生们演奏的是初级音乐，当我们能从一开始一直演奏到最后，所有的乐器都演奏到一起时，他们很高兴。全音、动态控制和平衡的复杂性超出了他们的能力。
当乐队奏出他们的第一首乐曲时，那铿锵有力的小提琴声，伴随着活泼的钢琴声，使我的心怦怦直跳。能成为这些大型高中乐队的音乐总监不是很好吗？我想，音乐让我神魂颠倒。当最后一个音符响起时，先是短暂的沉默，然后爆发出雷鸣般的掌声。我衰老的眼睛扫视着舞台，在表演者中寻找熟悉的面孔。但我的视力已经不够敏锐，认不出任何人了。
茶歇时，我朝门厅走去。“琼斯小姐!”一个年轻人的声音划破了人群。我认出了他穿的音乐会制服。这正是我一直仰慕的小提琴家。我迷惑不解，在他的脸上寻找熟悉的面孔。原来是布拉德利，我以前的一个学生，他让人难以忘怀。功课对他来说很难，他所有的科目都很吃力。在这里遇见他真是个惊喜。我们坐下来聊了一会儿。
I remembered the day when he asked to join the school band. Approaching me timidly after class, he murmured, “Miss Jones, would you be so kind as to admit me to the school band?” I was initially hesitant, aware of his academic struggles and the complexity of the music we were rehearsing. Yet, the eagerness and enthusiasm in his eyes convinced me to give him a chance. The following days witnessed his untiring efforts and steady progress. “Thank you, Miss Jones! It was you who set me on the music path.Without your guidance, I wouldn’t have become the First Chair.” His sincere words brought me back to reality, filling me with an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment.As the tea break ended, we exchanged goodbye and went our separate ways, a proud smile spreading across my face.
I was still smiling as I made my way back to the music hall.Reflecting on Bradley’s journey, I marveled at how his persistence and love for music had brought him so far. Although I had never conducted a large orchestra or led a high school band, I realized that I had still played a meaningful part in shaping students like him. Music teaching, I understood, wasn’t about grand performances or applause — it was about the quiet moments of growth. A sense of fulfillment washed over me , and the weight of retirement desires lifted. I had rediscovered the true purpose of my work: nurturing young talent, no matter how small the steps. As the lights dimmed again and the next band prepared to perform, I immersed myself fully in the music, no longer feeling envy, only a deep sense of contentment.
【参考译文】
我记得他申请加入学校乐队的那一天。课后，他怯生生地走到我面前，低声说：“琼斯老师，您能让我加入学校乐队吗？”一开始我有些犹豫，因为我知道他在学业上有些吃力，而且我们正在排练的曲目也很复杂。然而，他眼中的热切与渴望，让我决定给他一个机会。接下来的日子见证了他的不懈努力和稳步进步。“谢谢您，琼斯老师！是您为我开启了音乐之路。没有您的指导，我不可能成为首席。” 他真挚的话语将我拉回现实，一种难以言表的骄傲与成就感涌上心头。茶歇结束后，我们互道再见，便各自离开了，我的脸上洋溢着自豪的笑容。
在返回音乐厅的路上，我仍面带微笑。回顾布拉德利的音乐历程，我惊叹于他的坚持和对音乐的热爱，让他取得了如此大的进步。虽然我从未指挥过大型管弦乐队，也没有带领过高中乐队，但我意识到，自己在塑造像他这样的学生方面，依然发挥了重要作用。我明白了，音乐教学无关盛大的演出或观众的掌声，而是关乎学生们默默成长的时刻。一种满足感涌上心头，退休的念头也不再沉重。我重新发现了这份工作的真正意义：培养年轻的音乐人才，无论他们的每一步多么微小。灯光再次暗下，下一支乐队准备表演，我完全沉浸在音乐之中，不再感到羡慕，只觉得内心无比满足。
