Editing Concertmaster (section)

== Orchestra ==

In an orchestra, the concertmaster is customarily the leader of the first [[violin]] section. There is another violin section, the second violins, led by the principal second violin. Any violin solo in an orchestral work is played by the concertmaster (except in the case of a [[violin concerto]], in which case a guest soloist usually plays).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afm655.org/item/the-role-of-the-concertmaster/catid/10 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719130822/http://www.afm655.org/item/the-role-of-the-concertmaster/catid/10 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 July 2012 |title=The role of the Concertmaster |publisher=South Florida Musicians}}</ref> It is usually required that the concertmaster be the most skilled musician in the section, experienced at learning music quickly, counting rests accurately and leading the rest of the string section by their playing and bow gestures.

The concertmaster sits to the conductor's left, closest to the audience, in what is called the "first chair," "first [music] stand" or outside of the US "first desk." The concertmaster makes decisions regarding [[Bow (music)|bowing]] and other technical details of violin playing for the violins, and sometimes all of the string players. The concertmaster leads the orchestra in [[Musical tuning|tuning]] before concerts and rehearsals, and other technical aspects of orchestra management.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Classical Orchestra |url=http://www.camasb.org/yad/yad-orchestra.shtml |publisher=Community Arts Music Association |access-date=15 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206174144/http://www.camasb.org/yad/yad-orchestra.shtml|archive-date=6 February 2016}}</ref> Leading the orchestral tuning is not a mere formality; if the concertmaster believes that a section is not adequately tuned, they will signal to the [[oboe]] player to play another "[[A440 (pitch standard)|A]]." Several larger orchestras have one or more assistant concertmasters, who lead the orchestra in the concertmaster's absence.

The concertmaster, along with the conductor and section principals, will normally participate in the [[audition]]s of important musicians (e.g., principal players) in the orchestra.