Real-Life Decision Making
You are the conductor of a mid-sized city orchestra. You began your career in this city conducting the university marching band, and over the years you have studied for and earned your current position as resident conductor of the city symphony orchestra. Your orchestra's largest corporate sponsor is Bingham Brass Instrument Manufacturing Co.
Your city is renowned for crafting fine brass musical instruments for professional musicians. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bingham's first trumpet, you will conduct a gala concert on the opening night of the new city concert hall. You have the added honor of conducting the winner of a national brass section competition. This very talented young musician will play the all-important solo on the historical trumpet.
In preparation for the big concert, you have conducted three rehearsals and everything is going well. The pieces your orchestra is to perform have been polished and perfected. Your sections and your soloists know what is expected of them -- perfection! The young solo trumpet player has interpreted her concept of the piece and has gelled with you and the orchestra.
The evening of the concert, the orchestra members arrive early and begin to prepare. But one player is missing -- your soloist! The audience sipping champagne in the lobby includes all the city officials and some federal politicians, as well as the big brass from your orchestra's most important sponsor, Bingham Brass Instruments.
You finally reach your soloist on a cellular phone. She has been involved in a traffic accident and has been taken to hospital by ambulance to have her neck X-rayed. You comfort her as best you can, tell her not to worry and let her know you will come to see her as soon as you can.
Now you must make a decision. You know that the burden falls on the conductor at times like this.
What do you do?