I always thought you always go for the music rather than what musicians wear on  stage!!!

...and one of our local small orchestras, though in this photo you can't see how small they are 


http://www.stratford-herald.com/mainstory.php?ID=1322

So this is what some are reduced to when the Arts Council removes their funding? Hope the Orchestra of the Swan look more like this next time they play at Brum Town Hall!

Sigh, it's so hard maintaining one's sense of humour sometimes.  Orchestra dress codes are tricky, particularly in groups who are getting away from the all-black and dj-or-tails look (ie, most period instrument groups).

One of my orchestras has a very detailed dress code.  The details have emerged gradually over the years, in an attempt to make sure we don't look scruffy or sloppy.  The goal, I think, is to make sure we look smart, harmonious, yet are able to keep some individuality (there's something about uniforms, especially on women, that smacks of the amateur choir or a youth orchestra - not a good image for a professional group).  One of the details is a ban on spangly clothes - my fault, after showing up in a top completely covered in sequins which I bought in a moment of madness, and under shop lights, without realising how flashy and distracting it could be on stage.  Fair enough.

My problem is not one of scruffiness or sloppiness.  I enjoy dressing well, both on stage and off, and I do consider looking smart and elegant to be an important part of performing.  I think my colleagues wouldn't disagree that my attention to how I look has helped raise sartorial standards among the women in the group.

I have rather floppy, smooth, dead-straight hair, and I need to pin it back to play.  The style of hairclip that stays in my hair without breaking or bending or making my head look like it's developed a weird ridge tends to be decorated with small sparkly stones.  So I have a small collection of hairclips with stones that match the various dresses I wear for various groups (they all seem to require different colours).  Somehow this one orchestra manager is applying the ban on spangly clothes to my hairclip.  One of the reasons given for this is that if audiences complain about "distracting" sparkles, a promoter will be less inclined to invite us back.  No other orchestra I play for seems to have a problem with things like this.

Sorry to go on about it, but I'm trying to blow off a bit of steam so I can approach the issue with a level head.

 

No, my hair is about jaw length and layered.  I suppose I could wear one of those pig-tail-on-top-of-the-head things that look cute on girls of 3, but I'd rather not walk on stage looking like an idiot.  And I've yet to encounter a gel, spray, or any other styling gunk that will keep my hair in place.  I really dislike "done" hair, partly because my hair won't cooperate (short of doing things to it that will ruin it), partly because I hate the stiff, heavy "helmet" feel that products give.  I wear hair slides not because I can't be bothered to "arrange" my hair, but because they really are the only thing that will keep my hair from falling into my eyes when I play the violin.

I thought they were these really young looking girls serving in pubs..?

A

You should try wearing the 'thing' she spends her life ironing!

Baz
(aka Mr Iron)