concertmasters
Orchestra's first chairs
Concertmasters are the lead violinists of orchestras, sitting in the first chair of the first violin section.
The concertmaster tunes the orchestra, serves as liaison between musicians and conductor, and plays solo passages.
The position carries both musical authority and administrative responsibility.
British English uses leader instead.
Singular: concertmaster.
Chief school administrator
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- stringsThin flexible lines
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- conductorOne who directs musicians
podium · cue · coordination · tuning · pitch · downbow · bowing · leadership
Unaccompanied performer
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- cadenzaExtended solo passage
- recitalSolo musical performance
- debutFirst public appearance
spotlight · repertoire · featured · accompaniment · entrance · philharmonic · symphony · chamber
Bowed string instrument
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- bowingBending forward in deference
- intonationPitch variation in speech
- phrasingManner of expressing something
vibrato · fingering · articulation · dynamics · precision · interpretation · sight-reading · cadenzas
Guiding others to improve
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- instructionGuidance for action
- pedagogyArt of instruction
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
audition · demonstration · tradition · succession · apprenticeship · protégé · advice · expertise
principal
Chief school administrator
conductor · podium · cue · coordination · tuning · pitch · downbow · bowing · leadership · authority
soloist
Unaccompanied performer
debut · spotlight · repertoire · featured · accompaniment · entrance · philharmonic · symphony · chamber · classical
violin
Bowed string instrument
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- bowingBending forward in deference
- intonationPitch variation in speech
phrasing · vibrato · fingering · articulation · dynamics · precision · interpretation · sight-reading · cadenzas · tone
coaching
Guiding others to improve
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- instructionGuidance for action
- pedagogyArt of instruction
training · audition · demonstration · tradition · succession · apprenticeship · protégé · advice · expertise
- conductingbaton, downbeat, upbeat, podium, fermata
- orchestrassymphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, philharmonic, string ensemble, sinfonietta
- maestrosconductors, music directors, symphony conductors, bandleaders, band leaders