The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Wind Quintet consists of Kristen Holritz (flute), Robert West (clarinet), Bob Burks (oboe), Eric Anderson (bassoon) and Gordon James (French horn).If you go
› What: “Gems From the CSO Principals” in Chattanooga Symphony & Opera Chamber Series› When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10› Where: Silver Ballroom, Read House Inn & Suites, 827 Broad St.› Admission: $28› Phone: 423-267-8583› Website: chattanoogasymphony.org
The selections
› Ludwig von Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 8› Johannes Brahms’ Serenade No. 1› Kenji Bunch’s “Changes of Phase”
Coming up
On Jan. 21, the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will return to the Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St., with “Bach, Beethoven and Brahms,” the first 2016 performance of the Masterworks Series. The 7:30 p.m. performance will feature Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Bach’s Chorale from Cantata No. 150 and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. Tickets are $21-$83.
Being the principal musician in an orchestra isn't nearly as glamorous a position as it sounds.
When a solo is called for, the principals step up to the plate, but the rest of the time, a principal's primary duty is the musical equivalent of paperwork. As the leaders of their respective instrumental sections, they lead extra rehearsals, mark compositions and ensure their section mates have the most updated notation for each piece. They're often the ones selected to perform at extracurricular events, such as school and community concerts.
Once a year, however, the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera trains a spotlight on its musical leadership during "Gems From the CSO Principals," a concert featuring music selected and performed by the symphony's 10 full-time, principal string and wind instrumentalists.
The "Gems" performance is a rare opportunity for principals to flex their musical muscles and demonstrate the skills that made them worthy of their title, says CSO marketing director and interim executive director Samantha Teter.
"This is an opportunity for them to show off a little bit more than they can in our education and community events," she says.
This year's performance will take place Sunday, Jan. 10, in the Silver Ballroom at the Read House. The program includes a string quartet by Ludwig von Beethoven, a woodwind quintet by "New American" composer Kenji Bunch and a serenade by Johannes Brahms. The CSO String Quintet will perform the Beethoven piece alone, the Bunch piece will be performed by the woodwind quintet, and both groups will join together to perform the Brahms composition.
"Being a chamber concert, typically [the selections] might be music our audience hasn't heard before," Teter says. "Obviously, Beethoven and Brahms might be more well-known, but the Bunch piece isn't. A lot of times, the musicians will pick a piece that may have never been heard of before."
In addition to giving the principals a greater degree of freedom in selecting what to play, the "Gems" concert is also performed without the coordination of CSO conductor Kayoko Dan. For longtime chamber series fans, this is an expected quirk, but newcomers tend to be intrigued by how in-sync the ensemble can be absent any obvious leader, Teter says.
"Obviously, when [the principals are] playing in an ensemble, they have to be aware of what other musicians are doing, but in this one, it's almost like they have to be hyper aware," she says. "It's definitely a collaborative process where they have to be tuned into each other.
"I think it's more interesting to them. Then, they're relying on their fellow musicians more than someone just telling them what to do. They're all held a little more accountable, and I think they like that."
Contact Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.