SEATING IN THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA

by John Fryar

When orchestra students enter middle school and continue through high school, they become subject to the practice of "seating". "Seating" is the ranking of students in their particular instrument section based upon how they performed during a seating audition. Students who had the better performances sit in the front of the section, etc. During the first month of school the director assigns specific musical selections for each of the instrument sections of the orchestra. After giving the students a reasonable amount of preparation time, the director will listen to each student individually and assign a seat based on that performance. The students will sit in these seats for daily rehearsals and concerts.

If a student is unhappy with their seating assignment they have the opportunity to challenge a student sitting in front of them. The procedure involves both students playing identical selections, then placing the student with the better performance in the higher ranking seat.

Why Seating?

Seating has become a way of life in most orchestras, especially at the student level. There are a number of reasons for this.

  • A Measure of Success

    Most students have a desire to know how they stand in relationship to other students in most endeavors, and orchestra is no exception. The orchestra seating is one barometer of student success within a musical organization. Students who have worked hard are rewarded by the higher chairs.

  • Determination of Leaders

    Every musical organization needs leaders to provide support and positive examples for other students. The concertmaster and section leaders for each instrument group provide valuable assistance to the conductor by suggesting and implementing proper bowings and fingerings, leading sectional rehearsals, and relaying the directors instructions when needed. Above all, section leaders lead by example, providing the kind of mature behavior and musical performance that earns respect of the other orchestra members. The seating procedure is one way to determine these leaders.

  • Pride in the Orchestra

    When a student takes an active part in an organization he or she is more likely to develop pride in that group. By taking part in seating and challenge procedures, students actively show their desire to improve their position in the orchestra and also the desire to make the group better by their hard work.

  • Opportunity to Improve Individual and Group Ability

    Although more an indirect result, it is no less important. The seating and challenge procedure forces the students to diligently prepare their orchestra music. The result is an improved player and orchestra.

  • Fairness to All

    Students have to sit somewhere in the orchestra. Until a better way comes along, the seating procedure seems to be the only fair way to determine seating assignments. We try to emphasize that a student's seat is the result of one performance and not a measure of their ability. Every student will have the opportunity, regardless of their initial seating, to improve their position.