Thanks everyone who contributed. You gave insightful responses that addressed
not only which chair to consider, but you gave better understanding to the
roles
and challenges of all chair positions.
I have played a lot of 2nd, and if the principal is an outstanding performer,
2nd is very rewarding. As 2nd you can enjoy those occasional duets, but more
often you work at being compatible with the principal in all ways-- style,
tone,
intonation, volume. When the principal is a bit flat on the extreme high
notes,
you drop your pitch to match the principal's. You can offer to temporarily
switch with him when he has high tutti playing to help him rest his lip. While
you attend to your own part, you never lose awareness that you are the
assistant
to the principal (assuming he doesn't have a special assistant). Everything
you
do should be to help the principal sound better. Outstanding principals will
greatly appreciate you and open doors for playing opportunities for you. You
may hear the words, "no one has ever played as well with me as you do".
My $0.02
Larry
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