A special partner for musicians
Orchestra chairs that complement a high-quality musical environment

Aug. 26,2024
Special Topic
A classical concert in which an orchestra performs a magnificent symphony.
Many people find the power of live sound being produced right in front of them appealing.

Kotobuki Seating has produced many types of seating for concert halls, but did you know that we also produce certain types of chairs for the stage?
That is the orchestra chair, a chair for performers.

In addition to the audience seats, the chairs on which the performers sit also conceal various innovations that sustain the orchestra's performance.
In this report, we would like to introduce you to a special partner for musicians: the orchestra chair.
 

SUNTORY HALL is the birthplace of the “performer's chair”


Photographed in cooperation with: Suntory Hall, NHK Symphony Orchestra

Kotobuki Seating's orchestra chairs have been used by many performers for many years in concert halls, music halls, music college halls and studios throughout Japan. They are durable enough to be used for more than 10 years and comfortable to sit on, and are highly regarded by many musicians, both professional and amateur.

The history of the orchestra chair can be traced back 37 years to 1986. It was created with the opening of Suntory Hall, the first concert hall in Tokyo dedicated to music concerts.
Until then, there was no such thing as an orchestra chair, so performers used folding chairs with tubular metal frames. On the occasion of the opening of Suntory Hall, Kotobuki Seating's orchestra chairs were developed to reflect the opinions of performers and provide a more comfortable performance environment.

At that time, Kotobuki Seating made four prototypes. Performers from various orchestras were invited to test the comfort of the chairs, and after a process of trial and error, the current orchestra chairs were adopted.

Heavy weight to firmly support dynamic posture during performance

What is required of an orchestra chair is that the performer can play comfortably without becoming fatigued.
Unlike chairs in the auditorium, which are intended for viewing, performances involve movement.
Therefore, without sufficient weight and stability, the chair may slip out of place unexpectedly due to weight shifts caused while performing.

Kotobuki Seating's orchestra chairs are made of thicker steel tubing than normal chairs, so the chairs themselves are heavier. In addition, by bending the legs into a loop shape, the chairs create a greater sense of stability than chairs with four legs and firmly withstand movement while performing.

It is a sturdy chair that allows musicians to relax during performance without worrying about squeaking or swaying.

Performers sit on chairs in different ways.

Performers sit on chairs in different positions and at different angles.
While most chairs have a slight depression in the center of the seat to enhance the fit to the roundness of the buttocks, Kotobuki Seating's orchestra chairs are distinguished by their flat surface.
In addition, the seat's core material is thicker than usual to reduce deflection of the flat seat surface and increase stability.
Thus, since the surface of the seat is flat and the sitting position is flexible, the depth or shallowness of the sitting position can be adjusted according to the instrument, piece of music, or performer's preference.
In addition, the vinyl leather upholstered back and seat offer excellent cushioning and breathability, providing comfort even after long periods of seating. It is also moderately firm and supports the free posture of each performer without causing the performer's body to slump.


Simple, functional design that is at home on stage

The simple and stylish design, consisting of a black pipe frame, is at home on the stage.
Orchestra chairs are a behind-the-scenes partner of the performers. To make them as inconspicuous as possible during performance, they are painted with a matte texture with black as the base color. They blend in with the performers' costumes and look beautiful when placed alongside a grand piano.
The backrest also has a subtle handgrip function that makes use of the tubular frame. This is convenient because it is naturally easy to handle and easy to pull when moving the chair.
Another feature is the space between the back and seat. In a normal chair, the upper part of the back and the rear part of the seat are designed so that there is no gap between the upholstered part of the fabric and the frame to give a high-grade look. In the orchestra chair, however, such a space is provided to prevent the rubbing noise that occurs when the fabric rubs against the frame. This allows performers with sensitive hearing to concentrate on their own performance without being distracted by noise.
This space also allows the hem of the performer's tailcoat to hang neatly, thus preserving its aesthetic appeal during the performance. The chairs have been carefully designed to not only be functional but also visually pleasing.


Kotobuki Seating's orchestra chairs have been chosen not only for music halls, but also for music colleges, presentations and ceremonies. They will continue to accompany various occasions and places where sound is created.
* Inside story*
Kotobuki Seating's orchestra chair is currently used in various concert halls, but in the past, symphony orchestras owned orchestra chairs and often took them along to a performance.
However, the chairs are heavy, making it rather difficult to lug them around for each performance. So, in answer to the question that “wouldn't it be more convenient for the rental halls to have orchestra chairs?”, it is said that concert halls all over the country own orchestra chairs and rent them to symphony orchestras along with the halls.

Product Lineup

Instrumentalist Chair (FC-701N)
This soothing, high-grade design chair can be used not only for performances, but also as audience chairs at mini-concerts held in studios and practice rooms. Can be stored with the dedicated storage cart FE-702N. (Loading capacity: 15 chairs)

Cellist Chair (FC-703)
There is a manual rotary knob to raise and lower the seat surface, and the seat height can be adjusted with a simple operation.
The tip of the seat, which touches the back of the knee, is rounded to support a natural forward leaning posture.
 
 

Contrabassist Chairs (FC-704N, FC-704BN)
The rotating seat surface makes it easy to turn the body around, and the seat height can be easily adjusted with a lever. You can choose a type with or without a backrest, depending on your preference.

Case Studies

Main Hall (Renewed 2017), SUNTORY HALL

Photographed in cooperation with: Suntory Hall, NHK Symphony Orchestra

Main Hall, FENICE SACAY

Rehearsal Studio, Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Silver Mountain

TCM Hall, Tokyo College of Music, Naka-Meguro・Daikan-Yama Campus

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