Choir Robes
Pick the Right Choir Robes
The proper robes for a choir performance is an important decision that can have a bigger impact than members might think. It influences the overall look and feel of the choir's performance, so both novices and experienced choir directors must not forget some basics about choosing the right choir attire. We'll discuss the importance of selecting the right robes and provide tips on making the perfect selection to create a professional, unified look for the choir.
For whichever setting or occasion you need a choir robe, here is some key advice to follow:
The Importance of Choir Robes
The employment of robes for performing goes back to ancient Greece when they were used in important ceremonies for the gods. The tradition evolved and survived into the Christian era of Europe, and for good reasons. At a church or any traditional choir event, robes help give unity to the group but also help the audience focus on the music of the group as a whole and not on the individuals.
Choir robes allow the performer to remember they are part of a larger voice and not be distracted by what they must wear. Their voice is what matters the most.
Considerations for the Perfect Choir Robe
Choir robes are a vital part of the choir experience, providing a sense of unity and pride in the group. Choosing the right robe for your choir can be daunting, but it can be a breeze with the correct information. Critical factors to consider when selecting a choir robe are size, where you're performing, material, and color.
Performance Setting
Choir directors or wardrobe directors for performers will have to answer several questions, like what's the likely temperature for the performance. Is it going to be outdoors in calm weather or indoors? And if indoors, will there be warm state lights? If so, a director will want to avoid darker robes, for example, or lighter material.
The weather in outdoor venues will also dictate what the performers will wear beneath their robes, which determines the size of the robe to fit an extra layer of clothing if needed.
Popular Robe Materials for Choirs
The ideal materials for choir robes vary depending on the choir's budget, preferred aesthetic, and intended purpose.
Polyester, cotton, and wool are the best materials for choir robes—especially polyester robes, due to their lightweight nature, durability, and low maintenance. Most of Cousin's Concert Attire's robes are made out of polyester.
And cotton is cozy and breathable, while wool keeps you warm and resists wrinkles. All these materials are excellent choices for choir robes because they are all machine-washable and available in a number of colors.
Overall, the requirements and preferences of the choir will determine the appropriate material for choir robes. Silk, wool, and cotton are excellent fabrics for choirs that like a more opulent or classic appearance.
Fabric Colors
Like with the selection of the materials, picking the right fabric colors will come down to the occasion, style, possibly budget, and preferences.
The color theme of the robe should contrast or enhance the other colors used in the choir (such as the instruments, backgrounds, etc.)
Think about the event the choir will be singing at. For instance, if it's a Christmas event, go with classic hues like red and green. Consider using more muted hues, like white or gray, if it's a wedding or funeral.
It is often best to keep choir robes simple and avoid too many colors or patterns. This ensures that the focus remains on the performance and not the robes. Additionally, selecting a color that is easy to match with other items, such as choir members’ accessories, is important. Finally, pick colors that flatter the skin tones of your choir members. You can consider jewel tones, like emerald green and sapphire blue, for darker skin tones and pastel colors, like baby blue and pink, for lighter ones.
Height Measurements
It's good to learn also how to take basic measurements of a person before determining their robe size. When measuring someone, take your tape measurer and place it on the wall. The tape should go from zero to 60, starting at the bottom. Make the person stand with their back to the wall and the tape measurer and look at the length of the person from the foot to the base of the neck, and then subtract 9 inches (or 6 for some robes).
Adult Choir Robe Sizes
At Cousin's, we offer a wide range of robe sizes for adults. Adult sizes go from a height range of 4'10" to 5'2" to a range of 5'10" to 6'2", and a variety of center back lengths and sleeve lengths.
Child Sizes
How to measure choir robes for children is different. Child sizes come from three measurements:
- From shoulder tip to shoulder tip.
- From shoulder tip to wrist.
- From the nape of the neck to the floor.
This will help us figure out the sizes of a child's robes better, as their proportions are still developing and differ from adults.
Don't forget to ask members.
It's highly recommended that a choir director involve the choir members in the decision-making process regarding the robes that they will wear. Even if the director has a specific idea in mind, it is important to ask the members of the choir for their input. This will help to ensure that everyone is comfortable and happy with the final outcome, which is essential for a choir to be successful. Asking the choir members about what they would like their robes to be like will make them feel heard and respected and will create a sense of unity within the group.
Also, take into account what the members will wear beneath their robes and what they're more comfortable with. This will give directors more information to work with and determine which robes to get.
What Types of Choir Robes Do We Offer at Concert Attire?
Concert Attire offers several types of choir robes with a stole and without a stole for any choir performance for both adult men and women.
Cousin’s Choir Robes:
- Gabriel Robe - No Stole Needed
- Raphael Robe - No Stole Needed
- Angelica Robe
- Michaelangelo Robe
- Azriel Robe
- Seraphina Robe
Cousin’s choir robe stoles:
FAQ
Can Choir Robes Make You Sing Better?
Yes, especially if choir robes have a positive meaning for the singers.
The quality of the choir's singing is inextricably linked to their morale. Robes can have a positive or negative impact on the singers, depending on the connotations they have for them. If the choir feels accepted and their spirit is elevated, their singing is improved because they are proud of their role in the world. Conversely, when robes are looked upon with a negative attitude, the singers' breath support and resonance will suffer.
What is the best material for choir robes?
Choir robes made of polyester are the best option. It's perfect for a choir because it's easy to move around in, doesn't trap heat, and doesn't wrinkle easily. The robes will retain their excellent looks and durability thanks to polyester's resistance to fading and staining.
What do choir robes symbolize?
It is a symbol of togetherness. When you're in a choir robe, you're placing yourself inside a tradition that is millennia old and joining others in performing together. You're next to a group of people wearing the same thing, and all focused on a single goal: signing and performing. Church choirs are particularly special because of their shared mission to sign about God and their beliefs, and how everyone conforms and gives their own voice to the crowd and is lost in a sea of fabric colors. Women, men, children, old, young, and different races are united and singing in their robes.
How should a choir robe fit?
Like any article of clothing, but especially during a choir performance, a robe should fit a person comfortably, not too tight, and not too loose. Around the waist, it should be comfortable where the arms rest. The shoulder should align with the wearer's shoulder joints, just like a shirt, while the sleeve length must reach the wrist but not too long to cover the entire hand. In terms of length, the robe must stop an inch from the floor while wearing concert shoes or just barely above them. If a robe is too long, then the wearer is at risk of tripping.
Concert Attire Choir Robes
Choir robes are a key part of a church choir or any choir that performs in the same style. They bring members together and make performers shine bright with fabric colors and stoles representing thousands of years of choir tradition. Cousin's Concert Attire is proud to have helped you pick the best robe for your performance and offer the best choir robe selection for any performance and all body types.
