An orchestra is a very special workplace: “A colleague is a musician who plays the same instrument, but not as well as you do”. If you work together with some 80, 90 or 100 highly talented idividuals but have to become an artistic unit on stage whilst performing a peace of music, it is very important to understand your own role and behaviour as well as those of the colleagues. “Who has got colleagues in an orchestra doesn’t need any other enemies”, another musicians joke (?) says.

For example: the Montreal Symphony Orchestra

String players from Kentucky (US) have tried to write down 39 rules and safety tips for professional musicians how to behave/survive in an orchestra. Most of them are simply true and extremly helpful. Find more about here: http://www.violinexcerpts.com/38-orchestra-dos-and-donts/

At least, it’s a question of self-conception, professionalism and corporate behaviour and spirit to work together in an orchestra.