Page 34 - Phil Hocus Pocus DIGITAL program book
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What is a concertmaster?
Ana-Maria LaPointe is the Phil’s concertmaster. So what does that mean?
She is our lead violinist. As the violinist with the highest “rank”, she sits
in the first chair, next to the conductor’s podium. The concertmaster leads
the orchestra in its tuning prior to the concert, and customarily plays all
of the violin solos within pieces. In addition, she marks the orchestra’s
scores with the appropriate bowings – so all the violinists are moving and
playing in unison.
Why does the conductor shake
hands with the concertmaster at
the beginning and end of each
concert?
When conductor Steven Karidoyanes
shakes hands (or fist bumps) with
the concertmaster, it is a gesture
of greetings or thanks to the entire
orchestra. It is a custom of respect
and a symbol of cooperation.
32 Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra
