Posted by Tracie Price on May 14, 1999 at 13:48:14:
In Reply to: Re: "Right/Wrong"????? posted by derek on May 14, 1999 at 12:16:13:
I used to put the 2nds in the cellos' place, and the cellos where the violas were and the violas where the 2nds should be (would this be W.S #4?) in my 7th grade and Jr. High orchestras sometimes.
It did help the violins somewhat, but I did it many times just because I would have three times as many violinists as cellists, and it became necessary to seat them like that to have some sort of a decent set up--really the only way I could get them all on stage or in our room. In my high schools and in the classes that were more even, I would set them up the "normal" way.
So... maybe that makes me hypocritical! (whoops) But I didn't really like it much. My cellists were always stronger than my 2nd violins also, even if there were fewer of them, so usually it was better to have the 2nds on the outside in order to hear them.
I guess it just depends on your situation. But as far as when I'm PLAYING in orchestras...I stick with my conviction on the "right seating" being cellos on the outside!
-Tracie Price