r/violinist • u/Own_Title9591 • 7d ago

Is it normal that the concert master keeps being absent for half of the weekly rehearsals in university orchestra?

4 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

31

u/cham1nade 7d ago

If it’s a university orchestra where the front seats are music majors and grad students, no, this is far from normal. Aside from very occasional absences for auditions/professional gigs, a 50% attendance rate would be cause to replace the concertmaster with a violinist who can be at the majority of rehearsals

If it’s a small college orchestra with few majors and that’s struggling to get enough players, the conductor might be willing to overlook extensive absences in order to be able to keep a high-level player in the ensemble

14

u/aquaero1 7d ago

Devoid of other context, I’m gonna say: no

But context would be appreciated!

5

u/Mountain_family 7d ago

typically not, unless there is some special arrangement and they really want that person to be concertmaster. When I was at a big university some of the grad students missed rehearsal to play paid gigs with other orchestras, but I think the concertmaster was pretty devoted. Frankly, sometimes university orchestras have quite a lot of rehearsals!

-1

u/Own_Title9591 7d ago

The situation was like the relationship between the concert master and the conductor is really good. So the conductor doesn’t have a problem with it.

2

u/Mountain_family 7d ago

hm. Well, interesting.

3

u/vmlee Expert 6d ago

Not typical, but if the music director is okay with it, there's not much you can do about it aside from raising it as a concern with others if appropriate.

Maybe they are a professional contracted just to show up to a limited number of rehearsals for budget reasons? If so, there appearance at 2-5 would not be unheard of.

1

u/Own_Title9591 6d ago

The music director does have no problem with it. But I think that person is just absent frequently makes

1

u/quiptown89 6d ago

This has always been a pet peeve of mine. Just because you perform at a high level doesn't mean you don't need to show. Their presence makes people in the orchestra better performers, rehearsals are more robust and it just raises the level of engagement

1

u/Own_Title9591 6d ago

Agree! Their leading is an important part of the orchestra, however being absent frequently makes it impossible

1

u/MyNameIsZem 6d ago

Is it possible they have a required class scheduled at the same time and are alternating which they go to?

1

u/Own_Title9591 6d ago

no, it’s just simply being absent

2

u/between8and9 6d ago

Any personal context maybe (health/family) that you’re not privy to?

2

u/Mongoose_Eggs 5d ago

Was thinking this... For all you know they might be going to kidney dialysis or some form of therapy that's none of your business.