Concert Dress Code
Midwest Young Artists prides itself on its sense of family and it is important that the orchestra’s dress and presentation be as elegant and professional as its musical performances. These guidelines are therefore intended to assure an overall presence befitting the stature of MYA student performers.
Concert and Symphony Orchestras
MEN: Black tuxedo/suit with white dress shirt, black bow tie (cumberbund optional). Polished black dress shoes – no gym shoes – with black socks.
WOMEN: Women should wear long all-black concert attire with a moderate neckline. All sleeve lengths are acceptable, but any thin-cut straps should be covered with a shrug, jacket or dressy cardigan. Skirt or dress should be floor, ankle, or ballerina/tea lengths. Side or front slits are inappropriate, however, back slits are permitted if they do not exceed 12" from the floor. Any pants should be dressy, evening wear. Black dress shoes, black stockings.
Prep Orchestra
BOYS: Dark dress pants, white dress shirt, black bow tie. Jackets optional. Black dress shoes – no gym shoes – with black socks.
GIRLS: Girls should wear all-black concert attire with dress/skirt lengths below-the-knee. Festive all-black special occasion dresses are appropriate. All sleeve lengths are acceptable, but any thin cut straps should be covered with a shrug, jacket or dressy cardigan. Black dress shoes, black stockings/tights.
Reading and Cadet Orchestras
BOYS: Dark dress pants, white dress shirt, black bow tie. Jackets optional. Black dress shoes – no gym shoes – with black socks.
GIRLS: Festive all-black special occasion dresses are appropriate. Reading and Cadet Orchestra girls also have an option to wear dressy white tops/blouses with a black skirt below the knee. All sleeve lengths are acceptable, but any thin cut straps should be covered with a shrug, jacket or dressy cardigan. Black dress shoes with the option of either black or white stockings/tights.
Big Bands
- Jazz Ensemble – black dress pants or long black skirt, white dress shirt (no polos, please) or white blouse, black shoes and socks.
- Jazz Orchestra – black dress pants or long black skirt, black dress shirt (no polos, please) cool tie, black shoes and socks.
- Big Band – Men – Black Suit, dark colored dress shirt (think dark green, dark blue, dark red, dark grey) black tie, black shoes and socks. Women – black dress pants or long black skirt, dark colored blouse, black shoes.
Chorale
MEN: Tuxedo, black tie, white shirt, and black shoes
WOMEN: Black MYA Concert dress, and black shoes
Chorale Outreach Concerts: Black MYA polo shirts, tan khaki pants and black shoes.
Voices Rising
Photo Day Clothing
Black MYA polo shirts (If you don't have a MYA black polo, any short-sleeved black shirt will do), all black slacks or pants (black belt optional), black socks; and comfortable, closed toe and closed-heel dress or character black shoes (no athletic shoes or sneakers!).
Concert Dress
Black MYA polo shirt; a bright-colored Voices Rising t-shirt; a pair of nice, all black slacks or pants (black belt optional); black socks; and comfortable, closed-toe and closed-heel dress or character black shoes (no athletic shoes or sneakers).
Order forms for clothing is available at rehearsal as of September 9. When you join Voices Rising for the first time, your first term tuition includes a black MYA polo shirt at no additional cost. However, if you lose it, damage it, or outgrow it, you must purchase a replacement from MYA. The bright-colored t-shirt is $10.
There are no particular pants or shoes recommended, however please be sure the pants and shoes are ALL BLACK and that, if there is any doubt about appropriateness, to err on the side of being dressy and conservative. We reserve the right to exclude any member from performances whose dress detracts from the professional image of the group.
"Welcome Yule!" performances will require a red turtleneck, but are provided by the Chicago Symphony and remain the property of the Chicago Symphony. With these shirts we wear our own black pants, black shoes and socks.
