Real-Life Decision Making -- Solution
You find a copy of the solo piece and ask one of the horn players
to perform it using the precious old trumpet.
This is the real-life decision conductor Zane Dalal would make. "The concert
went ahead with vigor and fewer hitches than anyone would have anticipated,
followed by a great review. The reviewer commented on our smooth cover of
the obvious stress involved," he says.
You hold an emergency meeting backstage with the members of your orchestra.
You keep them calm and remind them that no one can ask them to do more than
their best.
You tell them what has happened and then ask for their full cooperation.
You ask your lead horn player to take the place of the solo trumpet player.
Flattered, he removes the trumpet from its case.
You then ask your orchestra members to concentrate extra hard, to follow
the horn player's concepts and listen to his interpretations. There is
no time or place for him to put the first trumpet through its paces, but you
know that he has played this solo before and is an experienced musician.
You explain to the audience what happened, and that you and
your orchestra have decided to go ahead with the original program. You hear
the murmurs of sympathy for the injured young player and a buzz of admiration
for you and your orchestra.