Editing Concertmaster (section)

== Duties ==
The duties and tasks of the concertmaster are many. Primarily, the concertmaster acts as the conduit between conductor and orchestra and is accountable to both parties.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.berklee.edu/careers/roles/concertmasterconcertmistress|title=Concertmaster {{!}} Berklee College of Music|website=www.berklee.edu|language=en|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref>

One of the principal tasks of the concertmaster is to provide bowings for the first violins prior to rehearsal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockfordsymphony.com/faqs/what-is-a-concertmaster-what-are-hisher-responsibilities/|title=» What is a concertmaster? What are his/her responsibilities?|website=www.rockfordsymphony.com|language=en-US|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref> This entails a great knowledge of historical playing styles in addition to complete idiomatic understanding of the mechanics of string playing. Section leaders among the other strings will base their bowings on those of the concertmaster and these section leaders (called principals) may confer during rehearsal in order to ensure unity and cohesion of execution between the string sections. Ensemble cohesion emanates directly from the contact and connection between these vital front desk positions. The concertmaster assumes responsibility for the tone and execution of the entire section of first violins, in addition to performing any [[Solo (music)|solo]] passages that occur in a given piece.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H1pFAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Concertmaster%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA768 |title=Etude: The Music Magazine |date=1910 |publisher=Presser |language=en |via=books.google.com |access-date=15 November 2024}}</ref>

Another primary duty of the concertmaster is to translate instructions from the conductor into specific technical language for the strings.<ref name=":0" /> Some conductors prefer to speak more broadly and defer to the concertmaster on such matters out of respect for the musicians who are expert specialists while the conductor is, often (unless they are a string player), a generalist.

Full-time professional orchestras work with several conductors through the course of a regular season. Accordingly, while the conductor may change week to week or month to month, the concertmaster lends a sense of stable and constant leadership day to day. While the impetus for the orchestra to play is given by the conductor's gestures, oftentimes for reasons of precision the orchestra will actually follow the bow of the concertmaster as their cue to play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2018/08/16/Pittsburgh-Symphony-Orchestra-concertmaster-search-violin/stories/201808130119|title=Why doesn't the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra have a concertmaster? And what's a concertmaster anyway?|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|language=en|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref> This is because the conductor's gestures exist in the abstract whereas the concertmaster produces sound along with their fellow musicians. Further, the idiosyncratic technique of some conductors can make it difficult for the orchestra to enter together. Yet another duty of the concertmaster is to maintain a sense of decorum during rehearsals by setting a personal example and by monitoring the room to ensure all members of the orchestra are being cooperative.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.connollymusic.com/stringovation/characteristics-great-concertmaster|title=First Violin: Characteristics Of A Great Concertmaster|last=Team|first=StringOvation|website=www.connollymusic.com|language=en-us|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref> It is more appropriate for the concertmaster to ask for quiet if there is a bit of chatter than it is for a guest conductor unfamiliar with the orchestra. 

In performances given in America and/or featuring American or British orchestras, the concertmaster will usually walk onstage individually after the rest of the orchestra is seated, and bow and receive applause before the conductor appears.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wqxr.org/story/heres-why-concertmaster-always-violinist|title=Here's Why the Concertmaster Is Always a Violinist {{!}} How To Classical|website=WQXR|language=en|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref> In continental European orchestras, this practice is uncommon. There, the concertmaster usually walks onstage with the rest of the orchestra. As the representative of the orchestra, the concertmaster will usually shake hands with the conductor at the beginning or end of a concert as a sign of mutual respect and appreciation.