The principal member of the first violin section; generally the most skilled violinist in any given orchestra. While technically only in charge of the first violin section, they often make executive decisions in regard to bowings and phrasing for the entire orchestra. They especially enjoy lording over the second violin section.

A great source of insecurity and angst for all concertmasters is the fact that they just weren't good enough to make it as soloists. Their oversized egos to compensate for the fact that they're really just failures inside, always looking up at what could have been if their playing was better.

While the term 'concertmaster' is generally seen as gender-neutral, the term concertmistress is occasionally used for females occupying this role.