The Audition

Monday's teacher audition @ Malvern was a highly interesting experience.

My first challenge was getting everyone out of the house on time so that I could make it for the 8.13 train.

I was so stressed by anxiety that I woke at 1 am and didn't get to sleep till it was almost time for the alarm to go off.

So I started the morning looking tired and disheveled.

But I did it.

Beth was the first one in her class (and the whole of her year) to reach school, and I had the luxury of staying with her for 10 min till it was time to go.

I even had 20 min to spare after getting off at Malvern station. I stood at the corner of Station Place trying to work out which direction was Glenferrie Rd. Once I got my bearings, everything went really smoothly.

What really impressed me about Malvern was the number and variety of shops near the train station. Cafes, bakeries, shoe stores, boutiques, greengrocer, Vinnie's, recycled children's clothing, hairdresser, beauty salon...

Even the locals look different from the people I encounter where I live. For one, there didn't seem to be as many elderly. And the older ones were highly mobile and in good health. No one was in a gopher or wheelchair. The younger ones looked trim and healthy as they went by, their purchases tucked under one arm or a cup of takeaway coffee in hand.

Back to the audition.

I met Robyn (senior instructor) on my way in, and she asked me to pick up an availability form and pointed me to a room where I could rehearse before the audition.

The piano was LOUD.

It took me a while to figure out how to mute it to an acceptable volume so I wouldn't interrupt the conversations that were going on all around.

Then it was time to go in.

My interviewing panel was made up of Robyn and Rose, the regional coordinator who was also MC for this year's Annual Concert.

They took pains to be friendly and really put me at ease, but there was no getting away from performance nerves.

My prepared pieces went rather badly, and I rued not having spent more time the day before polishing them. It had been a busy weekend and I had let practice time slip away from me.

The sight singing and sight playing went quite well, except my voice was thin and soft. I was also told my personality is on the quiet side. As I explained to hubby later, that's just the way I am and I can't really help my voice or my personality being the way it is. If Yamaha considers that a minus point, then too bad. He agreed with my perspective. I think he was pleasantly surprised that I'm not stressing about how my weaknesses might be taken against me.

When I first applied for the position, I had my Plan B all worked out. Meaning that if I don't get accepted for a teaching position (Plan A), I will focus my energies on my organics business. So it's not like everything is hanging on this job application. This approach has really helped me relax and be honest with my interviewers. I told them about my night vision problems, because teachers are expected to teach from 4-7.30 pm on a week night, which can be terrible in winter when it gets dark by 5. I would have to find alternative transport since I can't drive at night.

I am now waiting to hear from Yamaha. If they say "You're in!", I will have to start organizing after-school care for my child. If they say "Sorry", I'll say "No worries, mate!" and get on with my organics business and my writing.

Life is so much easier when you are clear about what you want to do.