In this essay, Gould describes the performance of "Madam Jeanette" conducted by Wilhousky. Returning to his old high school chorus after thirty years, Len and Gould reminisce in their diverse and musically-talented childhood. Comparing his chorus to the one in that time, Gould recognizes that at a young age, students cannot put the right amount of emotion into the music. Along with this, the number of male participants has dropped drastically, and try-outs may no longer be necessary as the ratio of girls to boys is outrageously uneven. With these setbacks, Gould wonders if the students have put the excellence of Wilhousky aside. The excellence he taught Gould and his fellow singers helped them aim for other small successes in every aspect
