History Of Choir Robes(3)

Reformation
  A new style of pulpit wear took hold during the Reformation era, called the Geneva style. This style, still in use today, was based on Academic Regalia for doctoral graduates. Choirs of the reformation followed suit, adopting gowns based on the graduation robe style rather than the secular fashion of the day. It is at this time that the four basic types of gowns were established which remain today: clergy robes, choir gowns, academic robes, and judicial robes. The baroque period of music, with instrumentals, opera, and chords, flourished at this time and influence choral music. New harmonic techniques such as the counterpoint were developed, resulting in accompaniment for choirs by different ensembles in addition to the traditional a cappella choirs. Verse anthems alternated choral sections with accompanied solos. Grand motets also separated sections into movements, while oratorios expanded on this work to form concert-length performance based on bible stories. Chorales hymns were also turned into cantatas with instrumental accompaniment by principally Lutheran composers at this time.

 
 Classical and Romantic Period

The 18th century focused on expanding use of the symphony and instrumental music. By the 19th century, sacred music left the religious context and secular stage concert productions for choirs became popular. Oratorios were still composed during this era as well, as were secular cantatas. Famous choral works of the time include Beethoven's Missa solemnis, Berlioz's Te Deum, Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem, Rossini's Stabat mater, Schubert's masses, Verdi's Requiem, Berlioz's L'Enfance du Christ and Mendelssohn's Elijah. Amateur social choirs became common in this era, called singing clubs, usually with separate choirs for women and men. Music was in four-part and a cappella, though sometimes with simple instrumentation. The choir robe in this period became much more elaborate in design, and specific to individual choirs. Heavy embroidery was used, and robes often including brocade and elaborate stoles.

20th and 21st centuries

Music for choirs evolved in the 20th century, which has become a period of experimentation, formalization, and development. With this evolution came the mass marketing of the choir robe for both secular choirs in primarily schools, and religious choirs in churches and temples. Choir robe sales started with a focus on just a few colors, styles, and fabrics. Originally, most choir gowns came in only one of three colors: black, white, and blue. With the advent of the popularity of gospel choirs the choir robe began to blossom into a multitude of choices. Now, choirs across the world can choose from over a hundred styles, with almost any color in the spectrum and numerous fabric choices and accessories.

Additional Definitions

CHORUS: An ensemble performing the non-solo portion of a musical theatre production or opera or oratorio is generally called a chorus or chorale. Some other common names used for types of choirs include: Chamber choir, concert choir, show choir, opera choir, church choir, gospel choir, and male choir.

ROBES VS. VESTMENTS: Robes are not technically vestments. Robes are a gown of up to ankle-length, with typically long sleeves, and designed to be worn with no cincture. Four types of robes exist which evolved from academic regalia worn by university faculty in medieval colleges: choir gowns, academic robes, clergy robes, and judicial robes. All four types of robes are intended to be worn over ones clothing. A stole can be worn over a robe.

While vestments are worn by lay leaders, robes are not. The robe's original intent was to designate that the person had academic credentials. Starting with John Calvin, academic robes were worn in religious institutions and churches. To this day, clerical robes are typically worn in churches of the Reformed tradition, including Presbyterians, Calvinists, and Baptists.