 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Keil
Date: 2000-06-15 15:43
What does all of this mean exactly? I know there is a Principal and/or Co-Principle, and Assistant and an Associate but what does all of that mean? Honestly? I know that the principal plays the first parts but do they have any leadership duties to fulfill as well with their sections? I'm trying to understand the need for all of these titles? In marching band we have drum major, percussiona captain, color guard captain, possibly woodwind and brass captain, then individual section leaders but these positions are to help govern the marching band what about in the orchestra what do these other chairs do that would cause them to need the title as Associate Assistant half-way there Concertmaster Principle desk chair tuba of the third quadrant? :-) i'm frazzled!
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-06-15 19:57
Orchestras, especially large ones are beaurocacies (sp?). Power positions and important titles that identify someone in a power position have been and always will be highly sought after.
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2000-06-15 20:59
Keil!
In our orchestra we have a Principal, co-Principal, 2nd/eb, 2nd/bass. As I understand English, co-, assistant-, and associate-principal mean the same thing. (Correct me somebody if I'm wrong). I think the functions vary between different orchestras. The principal is always playing first clarinet and has at least in theory the full responsibility for the section before the conductor and the management. If there are problems in the section, the principal is the one to turn to. He also has the highest salary. The co-principal is also playing first, but if all four are required, like in
big symphonic works, he has a duty to play second. In some orchestras he is also responsible for e-flat as well.
We are not so strict about all this in our section. Me, being 2nd/e-flat, also have bass in my contract to help the bass-player to maintain his clarinet playing that can suffer a lot since bass-cl is required in almost every production. The principal likes to play e-flat so sometimes I let him
do that. The co-principal sometimes play second if I need a week off to practice or if I have an extra gig somewhere and sometimes the principal plays second to the co-principal if both seconds need to be free. Even the principal has played 2nd to me sometimes, like in Liegeti's violin concerto,
where it's written for e-flat in the first part. This flexibility creates a very generous atmosphere in the section that is invaluable.
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2000-06-15 21:06
As you can read in my latest message, what you're saying isn't necessarily the case.
Alphie
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-06-15 21:50
...and I'm extremely glad to see it your way. You have a true team effort - the Holy Grail of music production and sports and work and... (you get the point).
I tip my hat in respect and admiration to you and your entire organization for it.
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Author: Kim L
Date: 2000-06-15 22:09
Like first chair and concert master or mistress in a band. Same thing, different organization.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2000-06-15 23:48
I understand that in Wind Ensembles the principal Clarinet is the Concertmaster/mistress... why is this?
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Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 2000-06-16 00:49
Keil wrote:
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I understand that in Wind Ensembles the principal Clarinet is the Concertmaster/mistress... why is this?
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The clarinet section generally plays 1st & 2nd violin parts, I believe, making the 1st clarinet concert master/mistress.
Now, since the concertmaster/mistress is responsible for the bowing in an orchestra, is the concertmaster/mistress responsible for the breathing in a wind ensemble?
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Author: Keil
Date: 2000-06-16 03:46
Tell me what you mean by "bowing in" and i'll tell you how that relates to the job of the principal clarinet! i do know that it is their job to tune the wind ensemble, seat them, and if necessary handle scores
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Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 2000-06-16 11:13
Keil wrote:
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Tell me what you mean by "bowing in" and i'll tell you how that relates to the job of the principal clarinet!
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The concertmast/mistress of an orchestra is literally responsible for marking the bowing direction and bowing type of all the violins if not already marked in the score.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2000-06-16 11:49
Oh okay... so that's what it's called, well in a wind ensemble there really isn't anything like that. Because of the diversified techniques in playing ones musical instrument one can't really say how to finger or attack a note... although some fingerings work better than others, some also work better for others. Now because the concertmaster/mistress is 1st chair within their section they probably make suggestions but all other forms of interpretation are left up to the conductor.
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Author: Contragirl
Date: 2000-06-16 17:36
I know my teacher is the principal clarinetist and he auditions other clarinets to be accepted. I believe... yeh...
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-06-16 22:26
Also, in theory at least, the concert master/mistress is supposed to be able to step in and lead the orchestra or band if something unexpected should happen to the conductor.
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Author: john
Date: 2000-06-18 15:19
Did everyone overlook the fact the primary musical duties of the Principal player in any section, orchestra, concert band or wind ensemble is to play all the solos written on their part?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-06-18 16:22
john wrote:
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Did everyone overlook the fact the primary musical duties of the Principal player in any section, orchestra, concert band or wind ensemble is to play all the solos written on their part?
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No, I think we all took for granted that part of the job, but it's a good thing to bring up for those that didn't know.
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Author: Frank
Date: 2000-06-19 19:26
As I understand it, all of these different titles are NOT the same. I believe on top is the Principal, the co-principal, then associate principal, the assistant principal. This is a pay scale and a responsibilities designator. Most major US orchestras have principal and assistant principal, then 2nd. And the assistant _usually_ plays E-flat also.
Now, as with the NY Phil (Peter Simenaur), Peter had to step in for Stanley one day--Many years ago--and did such a great job that they promoted him from Assistant Principal to Associate Principal. That means more money!
With the L.A. Phil, Michele Zukovsky was principal for years, then for some reason (I truely don't know the reson behind this) Lorin Levee was titled Co-principal.
I won't dare go into all of the "acting" titles. :-)
Hope this didn't confuse you more.
Frank
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