As expected, Gilbert's messy manuscript paper was handed back to him two classes later covered in a paragraph of elegant red writing.
I would appreciate it if you would use a notation program like I asked. This assignment is nearly illegible! Do you want to fail? You certainly will if I cannot make out what notes you have written! Please come to my office hours (Tues. 2-4pm) and play it for me.
…
Gilbert waited impatiently in the music office. There was a student already in Dr. Edelstein's office and there was a line of students trailing out into the hall. How many classes did they have the Austrian professor teach? They were all carrying different homework assignments, everything from basic theory to counterpoint exercises.
Finally, the guy before him left and the heavily pierced receptionist picked up the phone. "There's a Gilbert Beilschmidt here to see you…Okay." The girl waved her black lace gloved hand vaguely toward the back. "It's the last one on the right."
Gil wandered into the tiny, dim hallway then saw an open door. There were two desks divided by a bookcase packed with books and papers, manuscripts and scores balanced precariously on the top in a messy pile. The first desk was surrounded and covered by piles of things that were mostly about jazz from what he could see, and the second was neat and clean with Dr. Edelstein sitting behind it.
"Come in," the Austrian said with a long suffering sigh, "and close the door behind you."
Gilbert pulled up a chair and sat across from the professor. He tentatively placed the homework assignment on the desk between them and turned it toward Dr. Edelstein. "Um," Gil cleared his throat nervously under the poker faced regard of his professor, "It's supposed to be a B-flat here, and a C-" Dr. Edelstein interrupted, "Just take it to the keyboard and play it." He pointed to the Clavinova keyboard against the wall. Gil picked up his paper and reluctantly sat at the keyboard. Dr. Edelstein followed him and stood behind him looking over his shoulder. Gil imagined saying 'I'm a flutist not a pianist!' but figured it wouldn't go over well, then lifted his hands to the keyboard. 'Am I shaking?! Can he tell that I'm shaking?!' He took a deep breath and tried to screen out everything except his own handwriting, then haltingly, he played.
"Hmm…" Dr. Edelstein leaned over Gil's shoulder and pointed to the second phrase. "I like how you implied a quintal chord with this gesture." Then he pointed to the end of the melody. "Nice cadence." He picked up the paper and stepped back. "Your use of chromatic and diatonic elements is balanced. And the range and leaps are wide, characteristic of the style. You did a good job. Now…" Dr. Edelstein sat at his desk again and waited for Gilbert to sit across from him again, "did you get a notation program?" Gil nodded eagerly. "Alright, well make sure to use it when you write the accompaniment. For piano, remember?" Gil nodded and smiled, "Okay. I'll get started on it right away." Dr. Edelstein smiled a little and handed Gilbert his paper. "See you in class."