concert pitch

American  

noun

1. Music. a standard of pitch used for tuning orchestral instruments, usually established at 440 vibrations per second for A above middle C.

2. a state of heightened eagerness, readiness, or tension.

   Spring training had brought the athletes up to concert pitch for the beginning of the season.

---

concert pitch British  

noun

1. the frequency of 440 hertz assigned to the A above middle C See pitch 1 international pitch

2. informal a state of extreme readiness

---

Etymology

Origin of concert pitch

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

All the armed forces have been warned to be at concert pitch by Sept.

From Time Magazine Archive

Musicians gave an additional twist to the cow sinews binding their drums, bringing them up to concert pitch.

From Time Magazine Archive

The exact time would be told in advance, so scientists all over the earth could have their instruments tuned to concert pitch.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is keyed to what used to be called "concert pitch," which, I understand is obsolete today, all instruments being tuned very much lower.

From Time Magazine Archive

Figure 6.21: In the top line, the melody is written out in concert pitch; on the second line it has been transposed to be read by an alto saxophone.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones