Clapping and praise in the orchestra section (7)
I believe the answer is:
plaudit
'clapping' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'praise in the orchestra section' is the wordplay.
'praise' becomes 'laud' (lauding is a kind of praising).
'in the' is an insertion indicator.
'orchestra section' becomes 'pit' (I've seen this in another clue).
'laud' inserted within 'pit' is 'PLAUDIT'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for plaudit that I've seen before include "Cheer" , "Expression of praise or approval" , "Praise, encomium" , "Salute" , "Acclaim" .)