Bow tie color for orchestras

[The Happy Stroller]

What exactly is the dress code for members of a prestigious philharmonic orchestra? For many national philharmonic orchestras, white tie with white bow tie seems to be the adopted dress. However, in Charlie Chaplin's movies, the members of smaller orchestras in the theatres seem to be wearing black bow ties with their coats and tails. Any reason for black vs. white?

 

[Concordia]

Normal dress for full-time symphony orchestras is still white tie and tails, in spite of the uselessness of the tailcoat to anyone who works sitting down.

Some exceptions: Pierre Boulez prefers black tie/dinner jacket, and changed the NY Philharmonic over during his tenure there.

In Boston, and probably other cities, it is more usual for groups dependent on freelancers to specify black tie. Basic economics, I should think. Every musician needs black tie, but it is an expensive custom to require purchase of white tie in addition.

 

[ComboOrgan]

Yes, white tie is the norm. Guest soloists, depending on their prestige, can get away with less.

 

[Margaret]

Originally Posted by The Happy Stroller

What exactly is the dress code for members of a prestigious philharmonic orchestra? For many national philharmonic orchestras, white tie with white bow tie seems to be the adopted dress. However, in Charlie Chaplin's movies, the members of smaller orchestras in the theatres seem to be wearing black bow ties with their coats and tails. Any reason for black vs. white?

Black tie with tails? I don't think I've ever seen or even heard of that before.

 

[lawyerdad]

For the Chaplin movies, could the black ties have been a concession to the fact that the movies were being shot in black and white? Given the limited color range, the black tie might have provided a bit more contrast. It also could be that there was an assumption that for the movie-going audience, which might not be exactly the same as the symphony-attending audience, black ties and tails were the ultimate sartorial code for formal elegance. The tails also would add another element of visual interest.

 

[Concordia]

It's also what servants might have worn-- not the gentlemen they were serving.

 

[The Happy Stroller]

IMHO, only a remote possibility. In the movie, A Night In The Show, the gentlemen among the audience were dressed in white tie evening dress. Virtually all of them were wearing white bow ties. Even Chaplin was properly dressed, and not in his usual outdoor stroller dress.

Originally Posted by lawyerdad

For the Chaplin movies, could the black ties have been a concession to the fact that the movies were being shot in black and white? Given the limited color range, the black tie might have provided a bit more contrast. It also could be that there was an assumption that for the movie-going audience, which might not be exactly the same as the symphony-attending audience, black ties and tails were the ultimate sartorial code for formal elegance. The tails also would add another element of visual interest.