"Good afternoon, Sarah," Mrs. Henderson said with her usual polite smile. "Are you ready to play 'Für Elise' for us?"
Sarah took a deep breath and looked her teacher directly in the eyes. "Actually, Mrs. Henderson, I'd like to play something different."
The teacher's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Different? But we agreed on 'Für Elise'. It's perfect for your skill level."
"I know we did," Sarah said, her voice steady despite her racing heart. "But I've been practicing something else, and I think it better shows what I can do."
Mrs. Henderson looked confused and slightly annoyed. "Sarah, audition pieces aren't supposed to be changed at the last minute. What exactly have you been practicing?"
Sarah met her teacher's eyes and said the words that would change everything: "Chopin's 'Revolutionary Etude'."
The silence that followed was so complete that Sarah could hear the clock ticking on the wall. Mrs. Henderson stared at Sarah as if she had just claimed she could fly to the moon. The music teacher blinked several times, as if trying to make sure she had heard correctly.
"I'm sorry. Did you say Chopin's 'Revolutionary Etude'?" Mrs. Henderson's voice was carefully controlled, but Sarah could hear the disbelief underneath.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Sarah, that piece is..." Mrs. Henderson paused, searching for the right words. "...it's one of the most technically demanding pieces in the piano literature. Graduate students spend months preparing it. Professional pianists consider it a challenge."