The principal member of the first violin section; generally the most skilled violinist in any given orchestra. While technically only in charge of the first violin section, they often make
executive decisions in regard to bowings and phrasing for the entire orchestra. They especially enjoy
lording over the second violin section.
A great source of insecurity and angst for all concertmasters is the fact that they just weren't good enough to make it as soloists. Their oversized egos to compensate for the fact that they're really just failures inside, always looking up at what could have been if their playing was better.
While the term 'concertmaster' is generally seen as gender-neutral, the term
concertmistress is occasionally used for females occupying this role.
Principal second violin: Hey, I heard they filled the
concertmaster's spot with someone other than you. What do you know about this guy?
Assistant concertmaster: I heard from a mutual friend at
Eastman that he hates his life because he went to Juilliard thinking he was actually going to come out a soloist. Instead, he ended up here, haha!
Principal second violin: No shocker there, but that means he's probably an arrogant, butthurt prima donna who's going to totally suck as a
stand partner. I'm so sorry for you!