Editing Concertmaster

{{Short description|First violinist and second leader of the orchestra}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
[[File:Students, TUSAB perform musical poetry 150514-A-DZ999-619.jpg|thumb|Guest cellist shakes hands with the concertmaster]]

The '''concertmaster''' (from the [[German language|German]] '''''Konzertmeister'''''), '''first chair'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voxmagazine.com/music/what-does-it-take-to-become-a-first-chair/article_6b8f6426-8648-5c5e-b115-d73065d303f2.html|title=What does it take to become a first chair?|last=Joyce|first=Lis|website=Vox Magazine|language=en|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref> (U.S.) or '''leader'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dummies.com/art-center/music/the-role-of-the-concertmaster-in-classical-music/|title=The Role of the Concertmaster in Classical Music|website=dummies|language=en|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref> (UK) is the principal first violin player in an [[orchestra]] (clarinet or oboe in a concert band). After the [[Conducting|conductor]], the concertmaster is the most significant leader in an [[orchestra]], [[symphonic band]] or other [[musical ensemble]].

== 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.

== Other large ensembles ==

In a standard [[concert band]], the concertmaster is the principal [[clarinet]] or [[oboe]] and leads the ensemble's tuning. The first-chair concertmaster will, in common practice, play all [[Solo (music)|solos]] for their instrument. Often the lead [[flautist]] will receive similar responsibilities to the concertmaster, depending on several factors such as age, skill and time spent in the [[Musical ensemble|ensemble]]. The concertmaster will, in both orchestral and wind band settings, also coordinate with other principals and section leaders, in most cases being their senior in terms of group [[pecking order]].

In [[brass bands]], the role of concertmaster is often filled by the principal solo [[cornet]] or [[trumpet]].

== 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.

== See also ==
* [[String quartet]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Conducting}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Concertmasters| ]]
[[Category:Occupations in music]]
[[Category:Violinists]]