Yesterday, I my sister and I met a disagreement. This is the same sister mentioned in the entry Taking Portraits. The disagreements came about when we were at a college orchestra. She strongly disapproves of orchestra members having to wear a specific color, in this case black.

First of all, let me say that I am a man of tradition. I enjoy the traditions I live with and the cultures they are a part of. I have learned to let my culture make my life more fun and lively. Black, formal clothing and orchestras, by tradition, go together. However, the question I must answer is why black clothing is the traditional garb of the orchestra assembly. In this entry, I intend to answer that. In this case, let us take inventory.

The Visual Symphony

Just as an orchestra must have symphony in its music, it must also have a symphony in its appearance. When people come in jackets, shorts, sneakers, pinstripe suits, bow ties, coveralls, and the rest of a great mixing pot of appearances, the orchestra looks chaotic. The look is not pleasing to the eye. However, when the entire band is all dressed in one uniform, it is much more relaxing and comfortable for the eyes of the members of the audience.

The Formality

When an orchestra plays its music, it is a formal occurrence. Throughout history, orchestra, band, and opera have been treated as luxuries. Indeed, they are. You often have to pay to see them as well. When an orchestra plays, it performs, and it performs to an expecting audience. Their scores have been carefully practiced and now are presented for a special occasion.

During formal events, such as church, funerals, political debates, attempting to get hired, business meetings, the all-important prom, and the even more important wedding, participants dress up in whatever clothing their culture defines as formal wear. Considering that a performance is a formal occasion, the same rule applies here.

The Organization

An orchestra is, above all else, organized. It is not layed back, and its music is carefully practiced. When all people dress in uniform, they reflect how organized the orchestra is. Let us consider that an orchestra consists of a number of people who work together, almost as if they are an anonymous entity. The members must become one being, and play the music as one. Dressing in their traditional uniform shows their cooperation with the rest of the orchestra.

It was said by my sister, "I think that when they dress however they please it makes them looks like they came just because they felt like it, because they wanted to play music when they didn't have to." However, the chaotic appearance still detracts from the organized visual style preferred by the formal orchestra. If someone came up wearing regular basketball cloths, it would also show that they are perhaps stubborn, not willing to work with the orchestra and its director.

An orchestra is always something that people have the choice to join or not, presuming that their country isn't communistic. It is well understood that members of the orchestra are there because they want to be. However, when not performing, much of an orchestra's time is spend in practice, working hard in preparation for their next performance. They may dress casually then, but on the date of the performance, they must show through both their music and their visual appearance the effort they put into this.

The Exception

Now, there are acceptable times for people to break off from the formal dressing of an orchestra. During the concert, there was a moment when they played a few jazz songs. At this, the orchestra switched to several musicians who were dressed casually. This is because jazz is a casual music, and at its very heart is unorganized, consisting of frequent improvisation. Therefore, the casual attitude of the music led the musicians to dress casually. Each member has the opportunity to show off their own uniqueness. This works similarly, and even more appropriately, in a rock or rap band, in which each member is usually meant to be a unique personality in the band, defined by more than just the instrument they play.

Overall, I will say that many things favor the black, formal clothing that is routinely worn by the orchestra. This is where a specific dress code has its place, just as casual clothing has its place in a rock band.

Your Honor,

Emperor Kraggh