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If the conductor is the general, the concert master is the sergeant - working to convey the conductor’s needs in concrete ways to the orchestra. Typically, the concertmaster is the lead violist and sits in the first chair next to the conductor's podium. As the orchestra's representative, the concertmaster will usually shake hands with the conductor at the beginning or end of a concert as a sign of mutual respect and appreciation. Often, the concertmaster is the intermediary between the conductor and the orchestra - understanding their ideas and communicating them in technical terms to the rest of the orchestra. The concertmaster also leads the orchestra in tuning before the concert and plays all the violin solos within pieces. In addition, the concertmaster marks the orchestra’s scores with the appropriate bowings – so all the violinists are moving and playing in unison

That said, the concertmaster is not alone in ensuring the conductor's vision is passed along to the orchestra. Apart from the violins, all other sections and subsections have a principal player tasked with playing solos, signaling entrances and exits, and determining technical details such as bowing or breathing. Principal players are responsible to ensure the questions and needs of their section are vocalized to the conductor and equally the conductor's ears to ensure cohesion and balance within the larger group. Finally, the principal players are responsible for the performance level of the section and can make suggestions to the conductor when needed. Only as a unit can the orchestra create a masterful concert for its audience.

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