On Friday evening, Applejack was still practicing on her tuba until her name was called from Granny's voice. She placed her tuba down and went downstairs. "Are we workin' again?" she asked.

     "Nope," said Big Mac as he handed an envelope to her.

     She was confused about what was going on, but she opened it anyway and inside of it was a special letter that said:

"Dear Miss Applejack,

You're required to perform on stage at the Canterlot Auditorium. You'll be playing your tuba solo, and the string ensemble will be accompanying you. We've heard you playing in the streets and it sounded amazingly soulful and also deep and dark. We've planned the date for your concert, which will be in two weeks, and the time, 7:30 pm, dressed in black. You'll have to memorize your solo part we'll be giving you. We'll be looking forward to hearing you play in front of your friends and your family.

Sincerely,

The Directors of Bands and Orchestras in Music"

     Applejack couldn't believe what she read. "Wow," she said, "That's really somethin'!"

     "It sure is, dearie!" said Granny, "Ain't it, Big Mac?"

     "Eeyup," said Big Mac with a nod while smiling.

     "Any idea who they asked ta play in that string ensemble?" asked Applebloom.

     "Nope," said Applejack, "But I might know who might've been asked to."

     In 2 days later at Canterlot High, the intercom came on. "The following students please report to the principal's office: Applejack, Octavia Melody, Watermelody, Derpy Hooves and Sweeten Sour."

     The five girls did as they were told and saw Principal Celestia in her desk. They received the same letters, but since Applejack already had hers, she didn't get one. Each letter said something different for the four of them. Sweeten's said for her to conduct the string ensemble, Watermelody's said for her to play the piano next to the string ensemble, Octavia's said for her to play her cello in the string ensemble, and Derpy's said for her to play the percussion behind the string ensemble. The four girls felt honored when they read their letters, and accepted to do their parts to accompany Applejack's tuba solo.

     Watermelody, Octavia, Derpy and the rest of the ensemble were given their parts for the song called "United We're Gathered" and practiced very hard under Sweeten's conduction. Applejack was given her solo piece and practiced very hard as well.

     Two weeks later, Applejack and the accompaniments got their instruments, and were dressed in black. When one of the DBOM members finished his speech, the accompaniments came in first with their parts and sat down in their chairs. Applejack and Sweeten came in last at the same time but were in different positions. Sweeten stood on the podium, and Applejack stood in front of her and the ensemble.

     When everything was settled down, Sweeten and the ensemble waited for Applejack to play her beginning solo part.

     After Applejack counted off mentally on her own, she began to play the beginning solo part in a cappella.  When she was playing, the whole auditorium was filled with the deep and dark tuneful tone from her tuba. Some people in the audience were internally shocked by her amazing tuba playing skills.

     Sweeten raised her hands up, telling the ensemble to get ready to play. When Applejack played the certain notes towards the end of her solo in a cappella, the ensemble watched Sweeten as she counted off extremely silently. Watermelody and the string ensemble began to play as an introduction.

     Applejack started to play again, bringing out the melody of the song. Then she got into a little groove as she was still playing. She never made a single mistake while she was performing, and neither did Sweeten and the ensemble. Her fingers were flying when pressing each of the three valves.

     Still playing, the orange glow suddenly shined brightly around her again, and this time she began to float. Her pony ears appeared and the lower part of her hair grew longer again.

     The DBOM members were absolutely astonished about how Applejack played on her tuba expressively and the smooth groove to support it. They had never heard a cowgirl playing her tuba as expressive as she could before, so this was their very first time in their lives hearing and seeing one.

     Mr. Song was there in the audience, feeling extremely impressed and proud of Applejack's improved tuba playing. His eyes were watering as she was still playing the song, and got emotional and also smiled.

     Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Sci-Twi and Sunset were there too; also Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna. They couldn't believe their ears while they were listening to Applejack playing her tuba on the stage.

     Soon the song ended, and the entire audience clapped, cheered and stood up, including the DBOM members, her friends, the two office sisters, and especially her family. Applejack, Sweeten and the stood-up ensemble bowed to them as a gratitude.

     Afterwards, they went up to the refreshers and had some conversations with each other. Big Mac hauled up Applejack's tuba in her truck in the parking lot and went back inside.

     "You did absolutely marvelous, darling!" said Rarity as she was wiping off her tears with a tissue, "Absolutely marvelous!"

     "Thanks," said Applejack with a sincere smile.

     Pinkie grabbed some of the sweets, including some apple fritters Granny made and brought, and ate them. They were as sweet as her musically decorated cupcakes she brought.

     Sci-Twi and Sunset discussed about what classes they were going to be taking next semester. Fluttershy was a little disappointed that the animals weren't allowed to be inside or outside of the auditorium, but she got her friends to be with, and that was appointing.

     "AJ played so awesome!" said Rainbow as she was talking to Sweeten, "I mean she's got skills! Pro skills! My mind was blown by that kind of a concert!" She was excited the performance that just happened. She'd never forget that moment, even if she was having problems. Good thing she recorded the whole thing on her smartphone so she could watch it over and over again.

     Applejack had a talk with the DBOM members about her performance. She was told that her techniques were superior, and was offered to be enrolled in Canterlot College whenever after her graduation from Canterlot High. She was given their phone number whenever decision would be made to do so. That was something she would have to talk about with her family and get some suggestions from her friends. At least she got a good amount of credit for her performance.

     When Applejack and her family went back to their home, they were tired, especially herself, from all the playing she did.

     "Ya did great, sis!" said Applebloom.

     "That's fer sure," said Granny, "Ain't that right?"

     "Eeyup," said Big Mac as he gave Applejack a smile and a thumbs up.

     "Thanks," said Applejack as she was carrying her tuba to her room, "That was a lil exhaustin' just from a lot of blowin'."

     "Speakin' of exhaustin', we better hit the hay," said Granny, "It's gettin' late."

     "Eeyup," agreed Big Mac.

     The four Apples went to their rooms and slept the night away.