Old-time musicians

June 22, 913 of the New Calendar.

At 7:50 a.m. on Sunday morning, the Santa Lenia auditorium was packed as fourth graders awaited their graduation ceremony.

Different departments are seated in separate sections, and the colors of their uniforms are distinct. In addition, there are also many outstanding representatives of the lower grades, wearing formal attire, sitting in the back row.

"Caron, you will definitely be on the list of those who will be retained in school when they are announced later, right?"

Everyone in the Conservatory of Music was wearing pink draped and trimmed graduation gowns. At this time, almost all the students sitting next to Fan Ning asked him the same question.

Ordinary people have vaguely heard of the existence of knowledgeable people. After the graduation concert incident, classmates also knew that Fan Ning was a knowledgeable person. However, they obviously did not understand the specific relationship between various organizations and could only distinguish between "private" and "official" , and this aristocratic public school undoubtedly belonged to the official institution of the empire.

It is a tradition of the University of Saint-Lenia to set up a part in the graduation ceremony to announce the list of students staying in school. It not only shows the preferential treatment of its own students, but also encourages the junior students.

They all felt that Fan Ning was stable.

"You must have one of the spots, and I guess it's not an administrative position, but an appointment letter as a teaching assistant! Right, Caroln?"

Then before Fan Ning could speak, several classmates around him started chatting with each other. Calvin, his former roommate, sat directly behind Fan Ning, with his hands on the back of his seat, and mysteriously said to the side: "I heard It is said that this year’s retention index for graduates from various schools of the University of Santo Leonia may be only about 5% on average!”

This guy has recovered well after finishing his "part-time job" at Red Onyx Culture Media Company. He previously served as the principal horn at Fan Ning's premiere ceremony. He is one of the few people who has made a lot of money and is still safe.

"The ratio is so low?" Several people immediately exclaimed, "It should have been close to 10% in the past few years, right?"

"Then there are only more than a hundred places this year? There are only about ten graduates in each school. This has to exclude administrative clerks or positions in several grammar schools. From this point of view, each school this year has There are not many new teaching assistants at all!”

The gentle boy who spoke had a worried tone.

Calvin nodded: "The difficulty of staying in school has been increasing. I heard that in the 1990s, 20% of the quota was the norm every year. Well, at that time, the number of graduates from the University of Saint Lenia was also small."

Entering a teaching position in an aristocratic public school that is top-notch in the Tioleian Empire and even the world, this is definitely one of the most respectable professions in today's society.

In terms of income alone, it ranks in the second echelon, naturally not as good as being in business or inheriting a family business. However, if social status, honor, security, prospects, network influence, etc. are taken into consideration, it is still suitable for children of traditional aristocrats or factory owner families. It has great appeal. Obtaining the status of lecturer is enough to gain status in the family. If he can reach the level of associate professor, it can be said to "bring glory to the family."

From the perspective of the middle class, this job is comparable to the "end of the universe".

Everyone chatting had their own thoughts. In fact, among them, the hopeful ones had already talked with the school.

After all, the intention is mutual. It is impossible for the school to issue a teaching assistant appointment to a student who is busy inheriting the family factory at the graduation ceremony. It must first confirm the other party's ideas and whether it is a priority to stay in the school.

It’s just that the situation now is both delicate and full of uncertainty——

Some of those who were able to be interviewed privately still did not receive notice of appointment in the end, and those who were not interviewed have not yet been judged... Therefore, some people have expectations, some are curious, some are anxious, and some are very disappointed. , they always want to inquire about other people's situations, to see who has been interviewed and how the interview went.

Fan Ning finally smiled and said: "Calvin, you even know this year's proportions so well. It seems that the results of the small-scale selection competition played a role. Did you have a pleasant interview?"

The curly horn player scratched his head in embarrassment: "Actually, among the works selected for the afternoon session of the graduation concert, my work was rated at the bottom, and Susan next to you was ahead of me..." But as he spoke, his tone Somewhat proudly, "But the interview gave me a good feeling. At least the administrative clerkship is promising, and Susan can even pray for a teaching position..."

Someone cast an envious look at him, and the girl named Susan sitting next to Fan Ning also joined the discussion after hearing this: "The proportion of women who can hold teaching positions is still too small. If I can get the administrative staff 5- The weekly salary of 6 pounds is more than enough..."

She was wearing round-framed glasses and her eyes were lively and cute. At this moment, she spread her palms and raised her fingers to calculate carefully: "Caron, when you are hired as a teaching assistant later, you can get a starting weekly salary of about 7-8 pounds. , which is about 350 pounds a year! Oh my God, if this decent job comes true, you can at least hire a handyman maid and a baby maid to share most of your future wife's daily housework... and you With such talent, he can probably be promoted to a formal lecturer within the minimum number of years. At that time, adding a dedicated cook will not be a problem, so that he will have the social conditions to hold afternoon tea or dinner parties at home regularly. If he plans carefully, he will also have an extra piano. With the income from taking classes, I can still have a lot of money left over every year for traveling or joining clubs.”

Calvin was dumbfounded when he heard this: "You said it so beautifully. If only Caron is on the waiting list and not me, I swear I will be depressed!"

"Ladies and gentlemen! The graduation ceremony officially begins!"

The sudden sound of the carbon electrode microphone was so loud that the whispering people sat up straight.

After the staff briefly explained the arrangements, the flag of the Theolian Empire was raised in the auditorium and music was played. Then the students welcomed the rarely seen principal to the stage with warm applause.

At this time, Stniker was wearing a principal uniform with orange and yellow tones. This traditional style was very similar to Fanning's previous life. He always felt that he couldn't grasp the aesthetic point of it. It was too conspicuous no matter how he looked at it.

The principal still had long hair with a middle part. His voice and expression were very energetic, but Fanning could clearly see that from his etheric body to his astral body, the light was very dim and had an unstable swaying feeling. The same was true for Vice President Huxley who was sitting on the side of the chairman.

"This time, the resident branch of the Bologna School was really hurt..." Fanning shook his head in his heart, and when he thought of the deceased Dean Gould, he sighed secretly.

After Sternike's speech, Huxley and several other members of the school went on stage to read out the list of graduates, and then the student representatives who participated in the ceremony came on stage one by one, and the principal issued graduation certificates.

This process was a bit lengthy, and everyone's attention began to diverge to the more substantial list of students who stayed on campus, but they followed the rules of etiquette and did not whisper like before the opening.

Finally, it came to the last link. Each college first sent out outstanding graduate representatives to speak, and then began to read out the list.

Fanning's spiritual perception spread far beyond the conservatory area, and he "heard" the sound of large groups of students taking deep breaths, and many people were trembling between their buttocks or tapping their heels under the table.

The first order was the School of Literature and History, followed by the Conservatory of Music.

"Please invite Lou Adair, an outstanding graduate of the Conservatory of Music, the head of the second grade group, to come on stage to speak."

This was in line with everyone's expectations, because Master Adair, who came from a railroad tycoon family, had endured too much at a young age, and would gradually take over the family business after graduation, and it was definitely impossible for him to work at the school.

Giving the honor of being the only outstanding graduate in each college to this team leader is the result of both background strength and personal talent, and it can be said that everyone expects it.

After Lu finished his speech and stepped down amid applause, Vice President Xutz, who represented the Conservatory of Music, finally began to announce the list of people who would stay in the school.

"Edward Murrich, majoring in piano, is appointed as an assistant professor of the piano department of the Conservatory of Music!"

Applause rang out.

"Roberta Maugham, majoring in composition, is appointed as an assistant professor of the composition department of the Conservatory of Music!"

Applause rang out.

"Ojeda Calvin, majoring in music, hired as an assistant teacher of the brass department of the Conservatory of Music!"

Applause rang out, and envious eyes were cast on Fanning's back seat, accompanied by Calvin's surprised and puzzled muttering: "How come I, a music major, taught French horn after graduation?"

"Irina Susan, majoring in music, hired as an administrative staff member of the Personnel Department of the Conservatory of Music!"

Applause rang out, and the girl's eyes flashed with surprise, and she made a silent "wow" expression, but she immediately turned her head to look at Fanning and found that he seemed to be lost in thought.

There were also a few surprised lights around.

Calvin was a little confused: "The list of administrative staff who stayed in school has been read... Maybe Carlon's debut performance is just an administrative staff?"

The other people secretly felt unfair for Fanning.

"Does it mean that because it is not a 'graduation concert premiere' in the procedural sense, it does not count as a bonus? Then why did the school still praise his 'First Symphony' in the 'St. Lenya University Journal'?"

"If I remember correctly, Fanning is also middle-class, he should not have other intentions, right? Even if there is another choice, he should be given the honor of an outstanding graduate!"

"This is unreasonable! Look at the previous reports of mainstream music critics! Isn't the school afraid of being drowned by the saliva of the art world?"

"Fanning's string quartet 'Death and the Maiden' won the first place in the nomination for large-scale works. Isn't it enough? The evaluation of the City Concert Hall last year was much more valuable than before!"

Vice President Xu continued to report.

"..."

"Belinda Moore, vocal music major, hired as a full-time scorekeeper of the St. Lenya Symphony Orchestra!"

"Red West, violin major, hired as an administrative staff member of the publicity department of the Conservatory of Music!"

A total of 15 graduates from the Conservatory of Music stayed on to work, of which only 3 were assistant teachers, which shows its value.

After the announcement stopped for more than three seconds, there were some extremely faint whispers in the entire auditorium.

Then Vice Dean Xutz smiled and said, "There is another student whose situation is more special, so I put it at the end."

He paused deliberately, and then spoke loudly:

"Carlon Fan Ning, Department of Musicology, hired as Honorary Associate Professor of the Composition Department of the Conservatory of Music, and Permanent Conductor of the St. Lenya Symphony Orchestra!"

The auditorium suddenly became completely silent for several seconds, during which time Fan Ning's brows tightened briefly

"...What happened?" Several students who had been in a mood of defending injustice before were now confused.

It was a silence that even the sounds of breathing and rubbing clothes disappeared, and gradually, the "background noise" reappeared in the auditorium.

"Associate professor of what?"

"Conductor of the symphony orchestra of what?"

"Honor of what?"

Everyone at the graduation ceremony suspected that they had heard wrongly, and they all checked with their classmates around them.

It is extremely difficult to get a place to stay in school. The most valuable teaching position (assistant teaching) in the school only accounts for about 20% of the quota each year! The rest are either administrative positions or teaching positions in several subordinate grammar schools!

Starting from the title of assistant teaching, it takes an average of 3-5 years to obtain the status of trainee lecturer, and another year to become a formal lecturer. If you want to get the title of associate professor, you have to wait until you are at least 35 years old!

Although the school only stipulates that the professor title must be over 40 years old, and the rest do not, this is a convention! It is also a normal rhythm under the situation of fierce competition and shortage of titles!

And this year Fanning is only 23 years old! Jumping two or three levels directly! What does it mean to be an associate professor at St. Lenya University at the age of 23?

There is no precedent for this?

The first honorary associate professor’s appointment has already overwhelmed everyone, and there is no energy to think about what the symphony orchestra will do later.

Vice Dean Xutz glanced at the expressions of the students in various areas of the auditorium, a look of satisfaction appeared on his brow, and then he walked back to the chair row.

"Please welcome the outstanding graduates of the 913th grade of the Institute of Technology..." The staff continued to report.

Calvin choked: "Um, do any of you know how much the weekly salary of an associate professor is?"

No one paid attention to him. After a few minutes, Susan, a round-faced girl sitting next to Fanning, spoke up: "Student Carloen... uh, Mr. Fanning... uh, no, Professor Fanning, your various employment personnel procedures may be handled by me."

She looked at the boy of the same age as herself, and was a little uncomfortable for a while. Although she gradually switched to the respectful tone she should have, she still felt a sense of dislocation.

Because in school, those who can call each other professors are either elegant and easy-going middle-aged scholars, or knowledgeable old artists, scientists, and sociologists...

"Professor Fanning, I am Belinda, the new music director of the symphony orchestra, who was just mentioned by Dean Xu. Please give me your guidance on all matters of the orchestra in the future."

A shy girl with a blue headband on her hair crouched in to greet him and then retreated.

Fanning recognized her. This was the girl who had asked him for the score of "Fantasy Impromptu".

"Professor Fanning..."

Faced with the classmates who came to greet him one after another, Fanning responded politely one by one. After the announcement of the end of the show, he immediately retreated from the nearest passage.

On the side of the auditorium corridor leading to the symphony hall, there was still a sign of construction danger. Fanning glanced at it and quickly walked out of the auditorium hall.

He was just about to step down the stairs, and the people who came towards him reminded him that there seemed to be a big link that he had not passed.

"Carlon, you finally came out. Let's go to the square with you to take pictures. Senior Roy seems to have hired a private photographer again!"

The two dressed up, Sheeran and Joan, waved excitedly at him.

So Fanning's wish to be alone and quiet was dashed. They went to Meyer Avenue first, and the rear group arrived later.

Fanning first followed the photographer arranged by the school and took photos with classmates from the music department, and then was pulled to take photos one by one, in groups, and in rows.

Finally, he was with his friends.

"Sheeran, you called him wrong. You should call him Professor Fanning now." While adjusting the background and poses, or waiting for long exposure, Joan kept correcting Sheeran's name as if playing a joke.

"Joan, if you like to call him that, just call him that!" Sheeran kept protesting to her bestie.

Fanning shook his head helplessly. This was exactly why he wanted to be alone. Before, they were just normal juniors, but now they suddenly called him like this. He felt that he was not used to it for the time being.

Speaking of this honorary associate professor title, it was also the result of the discussion after the school proposed it, considering his identity as the leader of the school. Is he a formal school teacher?

After he adjusted his graduation hat and took a photo with Roy, who was wearing a cream-colored tea dress, he finally asked:

"Ms. Roy, wasn't it agreed that it was just an associate professor? What did you do with the permanent commander behind it?"