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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

For the Sake of Uniformity

Warning: I am about to comment on something I feel very strongly about as a performer in an ensemble.

In my choir, we have dresses that are a satiny black fabric with a sheer fabric overlay. Now, the sheer fabric does not fully "cover" our shoulders, meaning they are simply there to provide a sleeve.

In said choir, there are a few girls who feel that this is not modest enough, though it does cover our shoulders and, under a stage light, appear opaque. We have been asked by our director not to wear a "shade" shirt underneath because it detracts from the uniformity of the choir, which I fully support. 

But they have appealed to our director in order to wear "shade" shirts underneath.

I find this to be inappropriate, as they are asking to compromise the integrity of the uniform to, as one of them put it, "keep our moral integrity".

I understand this, and I respect that they are only doing what they believe to be is right. But I am upset by the implication of having your shoulders visible as something that is "wrong". I understand the professionalism that is needed in schools, and why that is not allowed, and it's because we must keep that professionalism. The same goes for the choir dresses. They are part of this professionalism, and we are completely covered. 

So why is it such a huge deal when a uniform isn't your preference? Cheerleaders don't complain about the uniform they have to wear. Those on Dance Co. don't complain. It's not fair that we should have any say in what we wear with our uniforms. And the reason it is a uniform is because EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE THE SAME. 

Wear the uniform you have correctly, people. It takes away from our visual presentation as a choir, and that's not okay. I understand and respect your opinion, but this is a matter of uniformity and we need to be the same in order to look just as good as we sound. 

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