Associate concertmaster Dawn Harms has to juggle her position here with one in the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.

WSJ: All Strings Attached | New Century Chamber Orchestra | By David Littlejohn

In the early years, the rotating position of concertmaster was democratically elected for each concert, leading to intense lobbying.

WSJ: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra | Personal Code of Conduct | By Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim

But the most often-noted difference between the NCCO (founded in 1992) and other U.S. chamber orchestras is that it has had, since 2008, a world-famous violinist as its concertmaster and artistic director.

WSJ: All Strings Attached | New Century Chamber Orchestra | By David Littlejohn

But with subtle details, countertenor Ryland Angel and the Trinity violins, led by concertmaster Robert Mealy (who was key to the spirit of this performance), turned it into a nuanced picture of the Passion of Christ.

WSJ: Handel's Messiah | Trinity Choir and Baroque Orchestra | Tracing the Gospel With Renewed Vigor and Drama | By Heidi Waleson

Audiences often feel deprived if at least one of the works on a program doesn't feature the lithe, attractive concertmaster, an alternately fiery and sensitive violin soloist standing, swaying and dancing up front, as she has done since 1981 and continues to do, away from the NCCO, with many other orchestras each year.

WSJ: All Strings Attached | New Century Chamber Orchestra | By David Littlejohn