New Understanding Of Robes

Many people use the term robe as a synonym for vestment, but in actual fact, a robe is not a vestment at all. It is a ankle-length gown with long sleeves, designed to be worn without a cincture. There are four types of robes, all of which are modern forms of the academic robes that professors used to wear while on the job in medieval universities. The four types are choir robes, clergy robes, academic gowns, and judicial robes. Only the first three types are worn in church. All types of robes are designed to be worn over street clothing. The only vestment that can be worn over a robe is a stole. Choir robes come in a large variety of styles and colors. They give the choir a unified appearance. Academic gowns come in three forms corresponding to bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. The doctoral robe sometimes appears in church. It has puffy sleeves with three stripes on the forearm, indicating that the wearer possesses a doctoral degree. When they are used in church, academic gowns are most often worn without the square cap or the long, decorative hood down the back that normally complete the outfit. If there is a hood, the colors indicate the wearer’s field of study and alma mater. Clergy robes mark clergy who do not have a doctorate degree or who do not choose to wear their doctoral robes. Even though most clergy have a masters degree, clergy robes are a modified form of the baccalaureate robe, probably because contemporary masters robes have an odd appearance. Clergy robes are nearly identical to judicial robes, except that clergy robes often have a sort of built-in stole; a wide stripe running down both sides of the zipper in the front, often with decorated with Christian symbols. Unlike vestments, robes are not worn by lay leaders. The original purpose of the robe was to indicate that the wearer had the authority of academic credentials. John Calvin started the tradition of wearing academic robes in church. He was not able to wear vestments because he was not ordained clergy, but he did have an academic law degree. For that reason, clergy robes are most common in churches that are in the Reformed tradition, such as Presbyterian churches, and in other groups with Calvinist roots, such as Baptists. Choir robes are nearly universal.More at: ivyrobes.com

Female Clergy Apparel At IvyRobes

In the Catholic Church, Methodist, and more, clergy women have actually developed essential inroads in the denomination of the religion. They offer service as cause their faith in God. Female clergy apparel is boosted today. This attire holds meaningful function to the society, although that there were circumstances like the controversial feature of ladies in the church regarding their prominent figures.

The female clergy attire is phenomenal clothing as it can be worn specifically by the clerics regardless of their place and position. It’s not normal to see women wearing their clergy attire, where distinguish them from the various other. They will be immediately identified as individuals who serve God in the church. Due to increasing lots of females in the service– identified to do and follow the appointed tasks in the church, the marketplace has actually been clinching to market their clothing broad range of mode.

This means that it is simple for them anymore to discover a good fit in good design female clergy robes. Trough the Net, anyone can get their clothes as well as purchase clergy apparel low-cost cost regardless of their places. Clergy attire is remarkable as a whole since this piece of clothes reveals the decency and the honorableness of a clergy.

Due to this, those who operate to offer service in the altar ought to bear in mind that before they take a clergy attire in stores, they have to ask themselves first if it works together to the policies of the church he or she has actually been currently working. This is very important in order to keep their repute as clergy.

Every church has principles, and this consists of the kind of proper attire to wear on the party. Clergy are individuals who spread the word of God and dedicate themselves to assist individuals ruling out the help that they may likewise need. This is the true dedication when someone provides his or her life to God along with to the church. And honestly, their clothing advises them about their vow.

Is it worth to obtain clergy apparel for sale? It can be, however when the saving of cash will compromise the quality and the look of the garment, then this is not practical in spite of everything. It’s righteous on the other hand to acquire a clergy attire in an affordable cost because the world is on economic recession, but then, the relevance of one’s comfort and ease during the service have to be at least prioritize.

Due to this, many individuals discuss the convenience in a manner like the robe’s design advertises comfort to the user that they can move quickly and contentedly. Browse on the web to see the right fit and right style. The different styles and colors such as the poly-cot with neckband or tab collar shirt, a good sleeves blouse, a bishop-style shirt, and more are just few of the latest contemporary styles offered in lots of online stores. Colors like violet, black, and white are the most common to like. Colors like violet, black, and white are the most common to prefer.More at: www.ivyrobes.com

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.  

History Of Choir Robes(2)

Early Christianity

The first four centuries of Christianity did not involve a special robe, tunic, vestment or other garb for members of the clergy nor presumably for choirs used in a religious setting or otherwise clergy robes. Tunics remained the primary article of clothing, typically knee-length to ankle-length, usually with a cincture. Often, an additional article of clothing known as a himation was worn. This was rectangular, and wrapped around ones body over the tunic. Himations came in various colors, qualities, and designs dependant on occupation, gender, and status. There is no evidence that the himation became a clerical vestment. Over time clergy vestments became richer and made of costlier materials, and beauty played a larger role in church garments. It is unknown if choirs of this time followed suit, though it seems likely.  
 Medieval Era

Until this time, music notations for choirs typically used only small notes sketched above words indicating the fall or rise of voice, but not duration or note pitch. Choir music evolved in this era to include the Gregorian chant, named after Pope Gregory I. He also mandated music standardization, including rules for composers and musicians for performing and writing music. Boys choirs also began to rise in prominence at this time. Because many of the better schools were associated with the Church, they also trained boys for choirs. Examples include the “Ratisbonne Choir”, started in Germany near the end of the tenth century, and “Kings College Choir” in England. Eventually, all major churches of the era included choristers.
  Renaissance
Secular choirs started to gain influence once wealthy patrons started sponsoring musicians in the Renaissance period. The oldest written evidence of polyphonic choral singing dates from the late 1300s to around 1420 with the Old Hall Manuscript (pictured to the left). This document uses divisi (two or more voices per part). Choir fashions followed the fashion trends of clergy. With the rise of the surplice (white, sleeved, blouse-like shirt with lace trim worn over a cassock) worn over a cassock (plain black, long-sleeved, ankle-length tunic) as the official clergy garment, choirs also adopted this style. Uniformity and a formalization of a “choir look” came about. Sacred choral music rose to prominence as the foremost formal music in Europe. During the era, music composition produced hundreds of motets and masses for primarily a cappella choirs. Choral music composed during this era remains desirable even today. A setting for 3–6 voices of a secular text known as a Madrigal also became popular at this time. Madrigals were initially concerning dramatic settings, typically of mythology or unrequited love based on Italian poetry. However, the setting usually changed to a more cheerful tone once exported England, with subjects such as Easter or spring. Like the Medieval period, the trend in choir apparel followed the fashion trends of the day. While a separate look was established for the choir, uniformity in color and design was not required.

History Of Choir Robes (1)

Ancient Egypt

The earliest visual depiction of a group of singers performing can be found in ancient tombs in Egypt around 2700 BC. However, there was no indication of a robe, vestment, or other formal or organized clothing for such early choirs.

Ancient Greece and Rome

The earliest evidence of a potentially-formal choir robe is found in ancient Greece. The Greek Chorus seems to have been relatively common in that era, and can be seen depicted on a portion of pottery dating from around 425 BC. That Greek pottery displays members of a choir both singing and playing musical instruments. The members of that ancient choir are seen wearing lengthy loose gowns that reach up and across their left shoulders. Those pictured in the pottery displayed to the left obviously have a slightly more elaborate design than the earliest depiction.

The use of gowns likely developed from the ancient tunic. Indeed, clerical vestments such as an alb are directly related to the ancient tunic, with the word origin being a latin phrase meaning a tunic of white. Modern albs remain a plain, lightweight, ankle-length tunic with long sleeves, with a rope cincture about the waist. Ancient tunics were sleeveless, and were seen as a distinction from barbarians wore sleeved clothing (probably because those tribes lived in the colder regions). The tunic eventually did include a sleeve around the 3rd century, after military leaders returned from a campaign wearing them. This combination of tunic and choir evolved with time.

Early Judaism

 

 

The Jewish Torah (bible) provides some possible indications that choirs held a role for the early Hebrews. For example, Nehemiah Chapter 12, section 31 has the leaders of Judah assigning two choirs to offer thanks in some translations of that section. Jewish law dictates vestments or robes for the high priest and for certain other roles at this time as well. However, I have yet to find evidence that these choirs wore robes.

Trends In Clergy Apparel

In the early days of the clergy apparel™ industry, choirs robes a traditional one color robe, and the pastor would give his sermon in a traditional black clergy robe. Today, churches draw inspiration from their colorful sanctuaries to select modern-day attire. Although robe styles have not changed drastically, fabrics, colors, and vibrant trims have revived apparel. Five years ago, there were literally hundreds of colors to choose from, as well as a multitude of easy-care, lightweight fabrics. However , recent economic conditions have forced suppliers to close businesses or to streamline inventory. It has become increasingly difficult to locate many fabrics and colors previously offered. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer. Don’t be afraid to inquire into fabrics and colors of interest. Since these are constantly changing, it is difficult to know from month to month what will be available. Current economic conditions have also taken a toll on the finances of churches. Many choirs and pastors are wearing attire longer. Clergy robes with worn velvet can be revived by replacing velvet panels. Typically, the main part of the robe, once dry-cleaned, will retain its original color and integrity. Choirs can change their look simply by adding a separate stole in a new color with new embroidery. Choirs and pastors usually get tired of robes before they wear out. Other changes are pastors who don a “dressed up cassock. ” This type of garment has been worn for years with a surplice on top. The new pastor cassock has various trims and is typically made in a combination of two different colors. This type of garment has become popular among younger pastors coming out of the seminary, as they feel this garment is lighter in weight and less constricting in comparison with the traditional robe with velvet panels and double bell sleeves. Many long-standing pastors still prefer their traditional attire. It is worthy to note that actual fabric samples should be requested once color choices have been narrowed down. When printing color cards, it is difficult to get proper color registration. This would hold true when ordering for the choir or pastor. The last few years have also given way to “casual” church services. In place of “structured” choirs, members are gathering for fellowship while playing personal instruments, such as guitars, and wearing casual clothing. Though there is certainly a place for this type of service, once choirs start to grow in numbers, it can be very distracting to see street clothes that conflict in color and style. The traditional attire will cycle back to the church as members feel the need for structure. Another change is the effect of “imported” garments, which have given way to USA-manufactured apparel. At a recent convention, when displaying garments tailored in the USA, many exhibitors had similar garment imports, which were selling at a fraction of the cost. Although cost of goods has continued to rise every year here in America, the clergy robe industry as a whole has frozen prices on their goods. This has affected the bottom line and kept the industry from growing, which is similar to what has taken place in most of the manufacturing areas in the USA in recent years. Many robe manufacturers are slow, which allows them to give special attention to individual customer requests. In most cases, delivery times have also been improved. Customers will receive the same attention to detail and quality they have come to expect. When considering a purchase of choir robes or related apparel, keep in mind that these are custom tailored with regards to fabric, style, color, embroidery, and sizes. Another consideration is the addition of customized embroidery, which can be sewn to almost any part of the robe. Whether using standard embroidery options or using a special logo, the addition of embroidery helps to turn a simple robe into a personalized garment. The process has been simplified as much as possible to take the burden off the consumer. Robe specialists are eager and ready to assist you with any questions or concerns you have regarding purchasing choral robes. It is recommended that you appoint a small committee to work out all the details associated with the designing of the garment. This will help the process go much smoother and avoid the confusion associated with the entire choir getting involved. Most manufacturers invite you to request sample garments so you can see firsthand the quality of their garments. Inspecting garments from various manufacturers will help direct you to a company who will stand behind their workmanship. Some companies offer “lifetime zipper guarantees” and other benefits, which will help in the long run. Be sure to compile a list of all items you are looking for, and be prepared to spend time on the phone talking to all companies and test drive their willingness to work with you. Customer service can be one of the most important assets in the process of your robe purchase. This will be an indicator of how well a company will be to work with and how willing they are to make sure your needs are met. Rest assured, once you have made your robe purchase and unveil them during a performance or service, there is no denying the audience will be more focused on the words and message being sung if you have a uniform appearance, as street clothing tends to distract from the message of the choir. At any rate, whatever is worn, hopefully the music will live on.

Discount Clergy Attire® Sale At Ivyrobes.com

Clergy attire® usually by means of a robe or gown is an excellent way of improving the look of the church choir especially when they are uniquely designed, custom made, and worn with matching choir stoles.

Many Choirs today have been able to turn heads due to the modern type gowns that they don when gracing normal Sunday services and occasional big choral events. Clergy apparel makes the choir look great when they stand up to sing and also sets the sense of order, regularity that is required for a team.

With the new and modern types of choral robes, a choir is able to have its gowns designed though based on conventional clergy gowns design, but with a custom finishing and unique features that are pleasing to the eyes while yet maintaining the high level of modesty required by the church institution. Such church robes can be ordered in bulk according to the size of the choir with the required specifications such as sizes of the different choir members.

It is not very hard to look good in a church gown specifically since the designs that are available today are specifically fashioned with excellent finishing such as fine fluting and bright polyester fabric that looks beautiful in almost any colour. As a Choir, you can have the ability to choose from several choir stoles to match the colour of your church gown.

There are different choir stole designs with the most being the v shape designs. The stoles feature fine embroidery with a mix of colors one marking the border. When the church choir is dressed in beautiful gowns complete with matching colors on the stoles, they are able to look more presentable whenever they get up to minister in song.

Some of the unique choir robe designs that can be excellent for any church choir are in the new custom choir robes. These are robes that have been tailored just like conventional robes, but feature an added sense of modern design that clearly distinguished them from all the other robes. They usually have one or two unique features such as a differently colored cuff sleeves, a higher yoke as compared to other choir apparel.

With such gowns that are made by some of the most skilled hands available today, it is very easy for a choir to turn heads especially since they can clearly be distinguished from all other groups serving during a church service.

All these types of gowns are available by order at very attractive prices, all that is required to switch the look of our church choir is the sizes of all the members so as to ensure that everyone has their gowns made to fit them. The gowns can then be made based on the sizes given and even to more specific requests upon placing an order. With the Internet becoming a tool for virtually anything, you can therefore place orders for the choir gown of your choice and have them delivered.

- See more about clergy robes at: www.ivyrobes.com

Where To Buy Church Choir Robes

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Church choir robes have become well known items these days. Choir robes have ranged through different performances and styles through the years. These are the cloaks worn by the choristers in their shows in various schools, opera houses, masses and other formal events. There are those children choir attire and those robes worn by an adult during particular performances. The wearing of these robes had been practiced or the longest time. The fashioning of such items carries with it many implications and one of the significance that it holds is the idea of highlighting its members; for the uniformity purposes and for creating a more solemn mood for their act.

In terms of the history of church choirs, it can have numerous records but the most accepted and dwelt on idea was how it began during the medieval era. It has been said that the choir songs had developed during this time. Simultaneously the level of music during this occasion had advanced and particular set of rules has been intended for composers and singers to embrace and follow especially when creating music and performing the pieces.

As a result of the strong influence and control that the church had during this time, choirs had been created and young men were trained for these kind of shows during religious gatherings. Slowly through time, different churches had continued the training and had musicians perform during various formal celebrations.

As the time passed, the choir had developed even more in regards to its musical presentations along with to its closet trends. For a long time, church choir robes had evolved and many designs have been created and worn by choirs around the world. Previously, these choir gowns started out with just the basic shade of white color or the combination of black and blue shade. But today, there have been many different designs and colors available to choose from. They had varied as to the styles, shades, embellishments and the fabrics used.

When finding church choir apparel, people could have the solution of buying them in regular retail stores, in tailoring shops and online shops. These are the most popular places that people go to when they search for choir robes. They present their clients with many various types of clergy robes for sale. Typically, these business establishments provide ready to use choir robes and they also provide their services for custom made ones, for those individuals that wants to have a specifically tailored choir robe style. Their prices may vary in ways depending on the type of robe one is paying for and the kind of cloth used in it. Nevertheless, these shops offer good ads and discounts to their customers particularly those that buy them in bulks.

It is necessary that before one goes on buying its choir robes, he or she needs to do some little researching for the top deal that he or she can get that offer high quality items and with good and trustworthy service so that one is assured of a first-rate resort.

The Way To Clean Choir Robes

Choir Robes Store Online|ivyrobes.com

Robes for choruses and choir groups provide a level of regularity that is needed to advertise harmony and a group mindset on overall performance day. Members of choirs are often issued a robe that is theirs for the time frame of their time in the choir, and are anticipated to care for the robes by themselves. So as to preserve the like colors of uniforms, choir robes need to be addressed with care, and not over washed in your home's washing machine and dryer.

1. Spot clean any noticeable stains on your choir robe by pouring a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or a paste made of dry detergent and water over the stain, and lightly scrubbing it into the stain with a scrub brush or unused toothbrush. Allow the robe to sit for two hours before rinsing with cold water.

2. Determine whether or not the robe is really in need of washing. It is typically recommended that choir robes are washed between once and three times every year due to their limited wear, and the fact that they are worn atop other garments.

3. Wash in the washing machine with a mild detergent if the robe truly is needing washing. Use lukewarm water.

4. Dry in your choir apparel dryer using the permanent press setting. Permanent press utilizes medium heat, which prevents colors from fading too rapidly.

5. Take away the robe from the dryer immediately after the cycle ends to avoid having to press wrinkles out of the robe. If it does come out with wrinkles, read the label in the robe to determine what material the robe is made from. Set your iron to the appropriate setting (most iron settings are based on material type) and lightly press.

6. Hang up your robe to avoid further stains or wrinkles. Place in a garment bag if achievable.

Tips & Warnings

Some choir attire are noted as “Dry Clean Only.” If this is true of your personal choir robe, you can clean up it at home with an over-the-counter, "Dry Clean At Home" package that you can shop for at your local market or department shop.

Clergy Robes Online Store - www.ivyrobes.com

Clergy Robes Online



Your clergy robe is an essential part of your clergy attire when delivering God's Word. Our clergy robe is a great compliment when standing in front of your congregation and leading your worship service. Our Clergy Robe is unique and will set you apart. It is made from high quality, wrinkle free and machine washable fabric. And our clergy robe will provide you with top of the line quality and comfort at a very reasonable price. Expert craftsmanship takes time so purchase yours ahead of time.

There are different kinds of our clergy stoles for you to choose. You will find all style you may interest in here. Look at our quantity discounts and get the best prices when you shop online. You can save more money with more orders. Any questions about our clergy robes, please feel free to contact us!