NQC: No Dress Code
There is a persistent rumor that a certain group was banned from the National Quartet Convention due to their apparel and appearance. I decided to find out whether or not this was true by emailing the NQC and asking whether or not they had a dress code. I sent this email:
Mr. Beasley,
I was wondering if the National Quartet Convention had a dress code for men and / or women that appear on the main stage. Is there any requirement that men be dressed in suits and ties or be clean shaven?
There have been rumors circulating on the Internet and it would be nice to get definitive word.
Sincerely,
Daniel J. Mount
www.southerngospelblog.com
Clarke Beasley replied to this email, setting the record straight with these words.
Thank you for your e-mail. Contrary to popular myth, there is no contractual requirement regarding dress that we place on our artists. We depend on our artists to make wise decisions about dress and song selection based on where they are and who they are singing to. Unfortunately, we are sometimes disappointed.
So there you have it, straight from the person in charge of the National Quartet Convention. They do not have a dress code.
Comment by Noah lyons (October 9, 2006, 9:36 am)
Well thanks now we don’t have to talk about it any more.
Comment by Bub (October 9, 2006, 2:26 pm)
So they don’t have an official dress code, but they are disappointed. Maybe that disappointment is what cost the group their stage time?
Comment by SGM Blogger (October 10, 2006, 10:18 pm)
What an odd way to answer the question, “no contractual requirement regarding dress” Restaurants don’t have “contractual requirements” but they do have dress codes. Most churches don’t have “contractual requirements”, or for that matter dress codes either. But you can be pretty darn sure excessive cleavage and bare midriffs don’t get chosen for Sunday School teachers or choir directors.
Comment by Jared (October 10, 2006, 11:19 pm)
They might as well have a dress code, because the statement “we are sometimes disappointed” pretty much implies that they can still take stage time away from groups whose appearance “disappoints” them. I think the tone of the email is pretty obvious that even though there is no “contractual agreement” concerning appearance, they still have certain “unwritten” standards that they expect groups to adhere to.
Comment by Disgusted (October 11, 2006, 9:05 am)
What about moral codes of those that sing on stage?
Comment by Ty (July 7, 2007, 9:58 am)
I agree 110% with Jared. No, groups may not be “contractually bound,” but they contradict themselves by saying they’re “dissappointed” at times. This “dissappointment” in appearance could quite possibly lead them to decline a group an invitation in the future. Therefore, the only development here is that there is no “written” dress code, but you better believe there is a very active “unwritten” dress code in full force.
So what’s the difference? There may as well be a Constitutional proclamation on it.
Comment by Daniel J. Mount (July 7, 2007, 10:01 am)
Umm….what’s the difference?
I’d personally say that the difference was that NQC gives groups some leeway, rather than applying rigid rules.
Comment by Ty (July 7, 2007, 2:54 pm)
Mabye some. But not much at all, IMO.
Comment by Ty (July 7, 2007, 4:31 pm)
That’s often a good thing, btw.