Every year, new people become part of symphony orchestras. Some are musicians on stage, chosen by audition, others are hired to serve as professional staff members. Still others become members of a governing board or volunteer organization. They are likely to face a steep learning curve, learning how their own part of the orchestra works; how it fits together as a whole may never be clear. In this book, retired orchestra executive Paul A. Helfrich draws on his 33 years' experience with American orchestras to help newcomers connect the dots and understand how this unique organization functions.