What is a Concertmaster? Lights dim. Chatter ends. And then, the stage door swings open. Out comes a presence, a force.
She gracefully bows and stands firmly in front of her orchestra awaiting the oboe that will tune the ensemble. The conductor acknowledges her with a firm handshake before the music comes to life. She is Madeline Adkins, concertmaster of the prestigious Utah Symphony and proud NOI+F alumna. But, what is a concertmaster? A concertmaster is the principal violinist in a modern orchestra and the chief conduit of communication between a conductor and an orchestra. On stage, concertmasters work tirelessly to serve their orchestra, lead by example, play solos, tune the orchestra and create healthy working relationships between the ensemble and music director. Behind the scenes, concertmasters invest many hours in conversation with principal string players to synchronize the direction of bowings, and to coordinate other musical markings. “It’s a multifaceted position. Sometimes, the work is practical and musicbased,” says Adkins. “Sometimes the work is philosophical and a matter of managing complex relationships between key stakeholders.” The word “concertmaster” is rooted in 17th century European tradition of Baroque performance in which a violinist would lead the ensemble from their chair during the performance. The role of today’s baton-leading conductors rose in popularity throughout the 19th century. By mid-century, most conductors had assumed their new roles with concertmasters being auxiliary instead of principal leaders (Grove Music). Winning this reinvented but still invaluable position is an arduous journey that requires decades of learning. Dallas Symphony Orchestra concertmaster and NOI+F ‘19 faculty member
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Madeline Adkins
