In orchestra, students earn chair placement based on their performance and leadership skills.  Students will more advanced performance skills and/or leadership qualities are placed in higher chairs with the leader of each section being named the principal player.  Principal players are responsible to their section to lead in cuing entrances, determined bowings, and managing other "team" aspects of their section.  The performance leader of the orchestra is the first chair 1st violinist--the concertmaster.  In addition to responsibilities for guiding the tuning process for the orchestra, the concertmaster is also responsible for cuing entrances, determining bowings, and managing "team" aspects of their section AND for the full ensemble, when applicable.

Chair placement is fully at the discretion of the conductor.

The determination of chair placement is multifactorial and may involve any of the following:

• Performance Assessment grades

• Class Average

• Leadership Skills

• Years of Experience

The most important thing to remember is that EVERY PERFORMER MATTERS REGARDLESS OF THEIR CHAIR PLACEMENT!  Unlike many sports, no one sits on the bench in orchestra!