How does seating work in an orchestra?

The most skilled musician sits in the first chair of each section and plays any solo parts for that instrument. The next most skilled player would sit in the second chair and the least skilled musician would sit in the last chair of his or her section.

What is orchestra seating at a concert?

The main floor of the theater is called the Orchestra. This can get confusing if you’re going to an orchestra concert and your seat is in the Orchestra. That doesn’t mean that you’ll be seated onstage with an instrument in your hands! In some venues this area is called the Stalls.

How do you seat an orchestra?

The strings complete the first half-circle around the conductor, followed by rows of wind instruments, brass instruments, and finally percussion instruments. These two seating arrangements only became standardized in the 20th century; they are barely 100 years old.

Where do first chairs sit in orchestra?

The concertmaster sits to the conductor’s left, closest to the audience, in what is called the “first chair,” “first [music] stand” or outside of the US “first desk.” The concertmaster makes decisions regarding bowing and other technical details of violin playing for the violins, and sometimes all of the string players …

Where is the best seat in an orchestra concert?

Most people want to sit in the middle, fewer people want to sit on the sides, way up front, or way to the back. So, seats in the middle are more expensive and seats to the sides, front, and back are less expensive. But this assumes that you want a standard view, sound, and experience at the symphony.

What are the best seats to watch an orchestra?

Where is the second chair in orchestra?

I’m told this was how the orchestra sat during Roger Nierenberg’s time. The second seating is completely different: the first and second violins sit facing each other on my left and right, with the cellos and basses beside the first violins, and the violas beside the seconds.

Is it better to sit in orchestra or front mezzanine?

The word “balcony” has a certain nose-bleed connotation, and ticket buyers are less spooked by the word “mezzanine.” Front mezzanine seats are usually as good as orchestra seats, sometimes better, depending on the show. For a show with a visual sweep or intricate choreography, you might be better off in the mezzanine.