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I was at the Chicago Symphony concert Saturday to hear Fountains of Rome and Tchaikovsky 6, and Gene was seated behind the trombones, between Friedman and Mulcahy. I haven't heard them in a while, and was curious if this was at the request of the guest conductor or if this was something Gene and the trombone section decided to do themselves. Frankly, I found it a little hard to hear Gene at times, but it could have been due to the dense orchestration in Fountains and/or where I was seated in the hall (I usually sit on the left side, facing the brass, and was on the right side Saturday). Otherwise, fabulous playing as usual.

Any info appreciated.

I have seen this arrangement a handful of times over the past season at the CSO. In fact I used the "that guy in the CSO did it" as a wrench to swing some more elbow room for myself at a gig over the holidays on a tight stage.

I heard GP tell a group that he couldn't hear beyond the bass bone well enough to suit his needs, and opted to slide over a few spots.

Maybe he should have moved in front of them.

I was on the main floor and also noticed this. From where I was sitting, there was not much room to the right of Vernon (if you're facing the stage)before the plethora of string basses took over the sight line to the conductor. So this is my first guess to why Gene to sat where he did. Sounds great wherever he sits nonetheless!

Maybe he left his music at home and was reading over someones shoulder to double on the bass trombone.