Baltimore Orchestra Aims For Fashion Makeover

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is partnering with Parsons The New School for Design to re-imagine traditional concert dress for musicians.

The orchestra announced Thursday that 16 students from Parsons in New York City will spend this semester working to create new concepts for fashionable attire. Concert black has been the status quo for hundreds of years.

On Friday, Parsons students will travel to Baltimore's Meyerhoff Symphony Hall to observe musicians and analyze their motions. They will eventually create five to 10 prototypes of new attire for men and women.

Music Director Marin Alsop is funding the pilot partnership. She says it's time to "reinvent the modern orchestra."

Alsop says the goal is to erase preconceived notions about what a concert should look like and create a more inspiring experience.

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