Elizabeth Bothel tried out for her District Band on Saturday, 23 October 2021.  There were six represented and she tried out with approximately 25 other clarinet players.  As a result of your hard work and talent, she earned “First Chair”.

First Chair is a position of distinction that will usually go to the best player in the section. The first chair is also leader of the section…the rest of the section will take their cues and direction on inflection, dynamics, bowings, etc. from the first chair.

The physical location of the chair with respect to the rest of the section is somewhat arbitrary, but generally developed to give the rest of the players in the section good sightlines to the first, and to place that player in prominence to the audience. It is a place of distinction, after all.

The first chair isn’t necessarily “up for grabs” every time a new player joins the section…most ensembles/orchestras don’t use “survival of the fittest” fight club rules to select the chair. Factors such as longevity with the section, accolades, effectiveness as a leader, etc. come into consideration along with virtuosity.

Congrats to Elizabeth and her proud parents, Dave and Christy Bothel.