Good Afternoon Kevin,

 

        The Rock Valley Children's Choir in Rockford, IL (also home of Kantorei, the Singing Boys of Rockford) is only ten years old.  We use choir robes for formal concerts, (or the formal parts of our concerts.)  For informal performances we wear black slacks (which are also worn under the robes) and red polo shirts with an RVCC logo.  When we have to perform with adult choirs or the symphony we use a button down white shirts with black ties for the men and those little black uniform neck tab ties for the women.  For holidays we're in holiday themed sweaters and tops which always add to the spirit of the music.  Robes always look better than the white shirts.  They give a polished uniform look and hide a multitude of wardrobe sins.  They always fit growing children.  They save time outfitting singers before a concert.  They are easy to transport.  They are an easy options for volunteers to negotiate.  We don't even assign robes to singers since they are always growing.  We just line up the singers from tall to short and hand them a robe from a rack in which the robes are hanging longest to shortest.  They will always look better than white shirts and black pants, and you will never have to remind your singers to "tuck them in!"

 

         But before you buy any robes, I urge you to go to all the older Tulsa churches which used to have viable children's choir programs, but now are lucky to have one choir with a dozen singers ranging from second to eighth grade.  These churches probably have dozens of robes which have not been used for years.  I have 40 deep blue robes which I use for the older Rock Valley Children's Choir ensembles, and 35 red robes sized for younger children's choirs.  They have come from local churches who are in exactly the situation I've described.  Ask them if you may borrow them.  Let them know that you will give credit to their church in the concert program bulletins.  A beautiful letter stating the mission of your organization and the values of character and caring which are part of every choir will help.  Find your own place to store them between concerts.  Have your singers write letters of appreciation to the churches.   Send them pictures of the robes on the children while they are in concert.  I'm sure these Tulsa churches will eventually give you their robes to keep.  Even if they don't, you'll at least find out if robes are a workable option for your choirs without having to make a financial investment.  (You'll also broaden your audience base.)

 

         Using robes keeps our wardrobe costs at $20.00-$22.50 per child for the polo shirt.  (Black slacks and white shirts are wardrobe staples which can be worn at any time and anywhere by anyone so I don't count them as singer costs.)  Good luck with your choirs.  Can you believe it's already November?  All the best to you and your singers.