A Symphony of Choices

CHAPTER 9CHOOSING YOUR RISKS STRATEGY

It struck without notice, without warning. A worldwide pandemic and everything changed in an instant. The kids were home, and Laura was missing in action. I didn't even know where she lived anymore. I knew better than to say that things couldn't become worse because I knew that was just begging for it.

I had to send out an email that I dreaded. Our next concert will be canceled. What was I going to do? In a couple of months, the holiday season would start, and every day I was getting notices that those gigs were being canceled. I knew I was not alone in my feeling that things were going to become worse – much worse. The musicians relied on these gigs to eat and pay bills.

Many musicians taught lessons, but how were they going to do that with social distancing? I was figuring this out myself, and fortunately, my students introduced me to video conferencing. It was not quite the same as being in person, so I needed to adjust my teaching style.

The next day I would have to meet with the board, Sam, and Fernando. I had terrible heartburn, worrying about my position being cut. I hoped to make the argument that they needed me more than ever. Fernando wouldn't care as long as it didn't impact his salary. Sam was more fiscally responsible, and so he was a wild card on which way he would land.

There was a lot on the agenda, and I knew that I wouldn't be sleeping much. Where was Laura when I needed her? I could have used some support, especially ...