A question about orchestra positions

[gustinho]

Please, could anyone explain me the difference between the orchestra positions of "Principal", "Associate Principal" and "Assistant Principal" ? In Italy, where I live, "Assistant principal" is probably what we call "concertino", the person who plays in the same stand with the Principal. My doubt is mostly about the "Associate Principal" position : maybe it's what we call "prima parte con obbligo della fila", that means more o less a section player who substitutes the Principal in case of need ?

Thanks in advance and greetings to everybody

G.

[lloccmttocs]

The way the orchestras I have been in don't have associate principle. There is simply Principle bass (section leader or 1st Bass) Assistant Principle (Second bass) and then 3rd bass and 4th bass and so on and so on. Maybe I'm wrong but that is just what I've experienced.