Posted by Happen to have read this... on February 04, 2002 at 23:23:09:
In Reply to: BSO-time for a change??? posted by Mike Stabler on February 04, 2002 at 20:35:53:
This doesn't exactly answer your question, but this is how the particular version of the Boston Pops was formed for the Super Bowl performance:
"...because this particular Pops concert is what our contract calls 'Supplementary Optional Employment' (SOE), it is work which is offered to all BSO players first and then, if not enough BSO players sign up, it is offered to extra players. In the case of Pops concerts which are SOE, even BSO principals can sign up to play, but they cannot play principal if the 'regular' Pops principal has signed up to play. Hence, you can find the unusual sight of a BSO principal playing last chair in the Pops orchestra!"
(Quoting Douglas Yeo from "Douglas Yeo: Pops and Patriots - A Super Bowl Diary""
(Great journal of Mr. Yeo to read if you're interested in the Pops' journey to the Super Bowl.)