What to wear as a soloist

[zzhang]

My daughter (12 years old) has won 2 major youth concerto competitions this year. Now she is to perform a concerto with two different orchestras as soloist. As a parent (non-musician), I would like to know if she has to wear a dress. Would black pants with either a black or a white top do? My basic feeling is that she never wears dresses and is so used to pants that she might be uncomfortable (although she does not think so) in a new dress which might adversely affect her performance.

My question is: could a female soloist wear pants?

Any reply will be appreciated as she will be playing really soon.

[donjuan]

Hi zzhang,
Firstly, I would like to congratulate your daughter for such accomplishments.  Bravo!  

I like to see women wear dresses for performances.  It is much more elegant than pants... however, I think you are right in thinking she might be uncomfortable...Maybe she could wear a skirt--> it's less frilly and distracting for her...  

Above all- if she thinks she wont be distracted wearing a dress, let her go for it...ask her to try playing on the home piano in a dress.

If she still finds it uncomfortable, she could get used to it over a period of days... when I first began performing in black polished shoes, I practiced in them first for the longest time...

If all else fails, I guess she should wear pants.  Women with black pants and a white top is, well, not very feminine... She should wear colors that have meaning to the music.  If she plays virtuosic, flamboyant concertos maybe she should wear bright reds or blues.  If she plays dark, emotional music maybe blacks are better.

I think the best decision is to let her do whatever she wants.  It's her music, her interpretation, her craft.

I wish you the best of Luck,
donjuan

[Shagdac]

I too, congratulate your daughter on her accomplishments....that's great!  I agree that the final decision should be that of your daughters. Most important is comfort. She should fee comfortable in whatever she wears, and it should not be restricting in a way that may hinder her performance.  Normally, I would say go with what you feel, but having been to the orchestra several times within the past month myself there is little doubt that there is a certain "dress code" or standard which prevails.

As long as it meets the criteria above, I think any outfit which exudes a classy and polished look, should be fine.  Of course I don't think anything too "frilly" as it may take away from the performance.  

If your daughter doesn't feel she'll feel uncomfortable in a dress, then I would say fine.  Good luck to both of you!

Shag