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The Vienna Choir Boys initially wore a army cadet uniform. The uniform was changed after the First World War to the present sailor suit. At the end of the Habsburg monarchy in 1919, the court replaced the boys' regalia of colorful, imperial military uniforms and a dagger. The boys were given a new sailor-style uniform and they continued their centuries of performing with a new name, The Vienna Boys' Choir. I don't have details yet on why they chose the sailor suit. We can only assume that the unpopularity of the military after the disaster of the First World War made the army so unpopular, that it was no longer suitable for choir boys. The sailor suit, however, was so associated with boys' wear that it was apparently more acceptable.
Whatever the reason, the uniform worn by the Vienna Boys' Choir since World War II has been the traditional sailor suit long with long pants. They have both blue and white middy blouses. The white middy blouse with black pants is worn during the summer and the blue middy blouse during the winter. The hat is the traditional style worn by the Austrian Navy in the years that Austria still had a navy. Of course in the peace settlement ending World War, Austria-Hungary was dismembered and Austria lost its Adriatic ports. The choir also wears ecumenical robes for religious performances.
The Vienna Choir Boys dates back to the end of the 15th century being founded in 1498. Over the past 500 years the choristers must have worn a wide range of costumes and clothes. HBC does not know what the choristers wore for scgool and daily life in the early years of the choir. Presumably theu performed in ecunemical robes.
The Vienna Choir Boys initially wore a army cadet uniform. We have little information on this uniform such as when it was adopted and how it changed over time. One photograph shows the boys wearing an elaborate military uniform with two long rows of parallel buttons. Some of the boys in this photograph look older than today's choristers.
The uniform was changed after the First World War to the present sailor suit. At the end of the Habsburg monarchy in 1919, the court replaced the boys' regalia of colorful, imperial military uniforms and a dagger. The boys were given a new sailor-style uniform and they continued their
centuries of performing with a new name, The Vienna Boys' Choir. I don't have details yet on why they chose the sailor suit. I
can only assume that the unpopularity of the military after the disaster of the World War I made the army so unpopular, that it was no longer suitable for choir boys. The sailor suit, however, was so associated with boys' wear that it was apparently more acceptable.
Whatever the reason, the uniform worn by the Vienna Boys' Choir since World War II has been the traditional sailor suit long with long pants. They have both blue and white middy blouses. The white middy blouse with black pants is worn during the summer and the blue middy blouse during the winter. HBC is not sure, but assumes that the sailor suit was based on the uniform of the Austrian Navy. Of course in the peace settlement ending World War, Austria-Hungary was dismembered and Austria lost its Adriatic ports.
The Vienna Choir Boys also wears liturgical robes for religious performances. Until 1918 and the fall of the Austrian monarchy, the choristers' chief function was the musical accompanyment for the services of the Imperial Chapel. As such they almost exclusevely studied and permored religious musivc. Many of the choirs performances are now secular for which the boys wear their sailor suits. The choir also gives religious performances for which the liturgical robes are recessary. The costume are traditional albs and surplices.
HBC at this time only has information on the garments that made up the Vienna Choir Boys sailor suit. These consisted primarily of the sailor cap, middy blouse, and long trousers. The cap is the traditional style worn presumably by the Austrian Navy in the years that Austro-Hungariam Empire still had a navy or or up through World War I. Ther was also a heavy reffer jacket for Winter wear. We have little information on these garments, except what can be observed in the available photographs. We do not know any noticeable changes over time.
The Wiener S�ngerknaben like several other choirs include a change of costume in their performances. This depends on the type of performamce. When performing in church they always wear their blue sailor suits.
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