Concertmaster

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The concert-master (or concertmaster, leader, also concertmistress) is the leader of the first violin section of a symphony orchestra. Any violin solo in an orchestral work is played by the concertmaster (except in the case of a concerto, in which case guest soloists may be heard).

The concertmaster makes decisions regarding bowing and other technical details of violin playing for the violins, and sometimes all of the string players; and is in charge of leading the orchestra in tuning before concerts and rehearsals and other technical aspects of orchestra management.

The concertmaster in a standard wind band is the first-chair clarinet, and leads the ensembles tuning. The concertmaster will walk onto stage prior to performing, take a bow, and receive applause on behalf of the ensemble. The first-chair clarinet concertmaster will, in common practice, play all clarinet solos.

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