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Concertmaster Definition  

The concertmaster, also called the first violinist, is the most important violinist in an orchestra and the second most important person after the conductor. He or she will sit in the front seat nearest to the audience, just to the conductor's left. Among his or her tasks are deciding the details of how the violins will play the music and writing their bowing into the scores, designating the seating for each violin player, interviewing prospective new players, and playing any solo violin parts (except in the case of violin concertos). The concertmaster is also prepared to take over as the substitute conductor in the event that the conductor becomes incapacitated.