In 1957, 25-year-old Raymond Gniewek became the first American-born concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. For 43 years, he held his colleagues' respect. His work included demonstrating the sounds the conductor preferred and arranging bowing and phrasing for the string section. He retired from his orchestra position with "an incomparable understanding of operatic style and practice." His high level of professionalism is an example for musicians who undertake the traditional duties of the first violinist.
Before each concert begins, the concertmaster enters the stage, greets the audience and plays the tuning pitch for the orchestra. The concertmaster's duties include playing violin solos and establishing bowing and phrasing for the strings as rehearsed. He provides technical cues for the strings, and serves as a liaison between the conductor and orchestra. In the past, the concertmaster traditionally was expected to lead should the conductor fall ill; nowadays, this is generally the job of the assistant conductor.
Some orchestras --- a notable example is the Cleveland Orchestra --- have a philosophy of leadership that holds that concertmasters should have extra support. In the resulting, and unusual, chain of command, several principal players team to facilitate successful performances. The Cleveland Orchestra has two assistant concertmasters --- an associate concertmaster and a first associate concertmaster --- with the intent of strengthening the orchestra by making backup principal players available to maintain continuity should illness strike. In this organizational structure, the concertmaster retains the primary leadership position.
As the voice of the orchestra, concertmasters are often excellent solo performers. Their careers often include many musical experiences featuring positions with symphony orchestras worldwide, as well as a proven track record of solo recitals. Many concertmasters teach at prestigious universities and music conservatories in addition to maintaining their orchestral positions.