Don't shirk making a stand as a conductor? (4,3,5)
I believe the answer is:
face the music
'a conductor?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'don't shirk making a stand' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'stand' could be 'music' (music stand is a kind of stand) and 'music' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for face the music that I've seen before include "brave a trying situation" , "Take responsibility" , "Conductor" , "Brave a hostile situation" , "Brave a difficult situation" .)