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Concertmaster routine/etiquette

From Alvin Chen
Posted November 22, 2005 at 12:10 AM

I know when the conductor comes out at the very beginning, I'm supposed to stand to have the rest of the orchestra stand.

Am I supposed to stand whenever the conductor comes out, or only at the very beginning and right after intermission?

I just want to make sure I don't make any concertmaster "faux pas".

Last performance, right before a piano concerto, I was sitting there wondering why it was taking so long for the soloist to come out. Then I realized I almost forgot to tune the orchestra to the piano A.

Most CM duties vary from orchestra to orchestra. Either you will come out with the other players and tune to the oboe or if it's a pianist to it and then rise when the conductor hits the podium (the same with a soloist or soloist & conductor) with rest of the orchestra following your lead, or, you will come out by yourself, bow, tune the orchestra and then follow through the same as above.

Tuning order also varies, but usually it's woodwinds (since the oboe is one), the brass, then upper strings and finally lower strings. Keep everyone else quiet while a section is tuning so you establish a good rapport with the oboist (which you should do before hand anyway). This can usually be done with a well-intentioned glare. Some conductors want the CM to have the 'A' to begin and in that case you won't use the oboist, but that is more rare.

Don't offer to shake hands with the conductor or soloist unless they offer first, always use your right hand in a hand-shake (though be prepared on the off-chance to use your left if the soloist offers you a left). After you've tuned make sure you pass the signal for everyone to quiet down to await the conductor or conductor and soloist.

There are other rehearsal duties. But these are the ones to remember for concerts.

After intermission, I walk out again by myself to tune the orchestra. When the conductor comes out, after intermission, should I go ahead and have the orchestra stand up again?

Would you say it's the concertmaster's responsibility to queue the tuning? Or also to make sure the orchestra is properly tuned? I'm sure the oboist could queue him/herself to play the A so everyone can tune. I've never seen a concertmaster reject a section's tuning, or request them retune because he thinks it's unacceptable. If the orchestra has a set routine of what groups tune and in what order, then all that is needed is a prompt to begin tuning.

"When the conductor comes out, after intermission, should I go ahead and have the orchestra stand up again?"

to which I answered "always." The rest varies.

And yes, in the second half you can come out with the rest of the orchestra (it depends on the venue). Some orchestras have handbooks or manuals for orchestral etiquette. Many are published on the web. Take a look.

When you get into professional orchestras much does vary from orchestra to orchestra. Pro orchestras have unions as well as Boards of Directors. In these orchestras the relationship between the conductor and the orchestra is not always the same as in non-professional orchestras (which I thought you were talking about) since it is often reached by agreement between the Musical Director/the Board/and the union and usually published, like I say, in a handbook of some description.

I would say that it is fairly standard for the CM to stand, followed by the rest of the orchestra, whenever the conductor comes on stage, and even though I think most professional orchestras do as well, some don't. Call me old fashion, it just looks better to me. I'll stand by that (heh).

I think it's mostly tradition.

I was fortunate enough to grow up sitting as concertmaster in most of the orchestras I played in so that I learned along the way. I think that all youth orchestras should education ALL the string (and wind) players (not just those sitting in principal chairs) on principal chair etiquette just in case anyone does have this opportunity in the future.

Being prepared is by far the most important service the Concertmaster can provide to his orchestra! Good luck and enjoy this wonderful opportunity!

Catherine

She's a singer. What can you expect... ;-)

Cheers!

no it's true.

concertmaster etiquette: well that depends. traditionally, the concertmaster was the one who would take over in case the conductor couldn't do his duties. nowadays, the biggest issue is to know whom to tune to. hehe, at my orchestra rehearsal the other day, we didn't have any oboes and we had a fill in conductor for the day. we tuned to bassoons :)

basically, you need to stay on your toes. know when to stand up and such.

I remember when I was playing in an orchestra, the front-stand cellist would use hand, eye, foot or some other gesture to signal to the CM that the conductor is on stage. The CM would then lead the orchestra to stand. It was quite effective... and also set the scene for all future collaborations with the cello section :-)

But then again, we drive on the right hand side too....

Here are the rules, pure and simple. There are no rules. There are certain set standards, etiquettes, traditions, whatever you want to call them... Each orchestra has their own traditions.

Here are the standard procedures of major orchestras. The lights go down, the CM walks out , takes a bow, and the oboist gives the A. The order of tuning depends on the traditions of the orchestra - some do Winds, Brass, Strings; some do Winds AND Brass, Strings; Some do Strings, then Winds and Brass.

It is a good idea for the CM to remain standing until the tuning is complete - just to make sure everyone has had enough time to tune.

As the conductor is walking out, the CONCERTMASTER leads the orchestra in standing up as a sign of respect towards the conductor.

In the second half of the program: Depending on the orchestra, the CM is already out on stage with the rest of the orchestra and procedes to tune the orchestra as the lights go down, OR comes out on stage after the lights are down and tunes the orchestra.

The Orchestra USUALLY does not stand up on its own as the conductor comes out - only if the conductor motions for the orch. to stand up.

These are the rules, plain and simple. Hope it clears up any confusion that is in the posts above.

Also, with the whole coordinated standing up of the orchestra bit, it's a good idea to catch the eye of the principal cellist, so that you stand together. (Especially if you're short, like me, it's sometimes hard for the rest of the orchestra to tell when you're standing! ;))

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