first chair
Orchestra's top seat
First chair is the principal player of an instrument section in an orchestra or band—the one who sits closest to the conductor and leads their section.
The position carries both prestige and responsibility: the first chair violinist plays solos and sets bowing for the strings.
By extension, first chair describes any top position in a competitive hierarchy: She made first chair in concert band her junior year.
Principal first violinist
- principalChief school administrator
- section leaderHead of a subdivision
- violinistOne who bows strings
- symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
ensemble · strings · woodwinds · brass · soloist · music stand · bow · audition
Chief school administrator
- section leaderHead of a subdivision
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
mentorship · authority · role model · stewardship · oversight · bowings · leadership · duty
Supremely accomplished performer
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- skillfulHaving learned expertise
- accomplishedHighly skilled, expert
gifted · talented · masterful · artistry · technique · tone · intonation · sight-reading
Superior select group
- statusOne's relative position
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- prominenceNotable status or visibility
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
recognition · accolade · eminence · esteem · admiration · achievement · accomplishment · leading
concertmaster
Principal first violinist
- principalChief school administrator
- section leaderHead of a subdivision
- violinistOne who bows strings
symphony · ensemble · strings · woodwinds · brass · soloist · music stand · bow · audition · seating
principal
Chief school administrator
- section leaderHead of a subdivision
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
guidance · mentorship · authority · role model · stewardship · oversight · bowings · leadership · duty · commitment
virtuoso
Supremely accomplished performer
- prodigyGifted youth with rare talent
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- skillfulHaving learned expertise
accomplished · gifted · talented · masterful · artistry · technique · tone · intonation · sight-reading · expressiveness
elite
Superior select group
- statusOne's relative position
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- prominenceNotable status or visibility
honor · recognition · accolade · eminence · esteem · admiration · achievement · accomplishment · leading · preeminence
audition
Trial performance for selection
seating · tryout · placement · victory · defeat · qualifier · elimination · contender · runner-up · underdog
- classical musicBach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms
- orchestraorchestra, symphony orchestra, philharmonic, strings, string orchestra
- skiingskiing, ski, ski resort, ski slope, ski slopes
- lawyerslawyer, attorney, defense attorney, defense counsel, counselor
- Youth Leadership Rolespresident, vice president, secretary, treasurer, captain
- orchestra termsviolin section, bass section, trumpet section, horn section, trombone section
first, chair, chairs, chaired, chairing, chairman, chairwoman, chairperson, chairmanship