First, I never claimed to be a serious musician.
Second, "collective conformity" for the sake of conformity actually has nothing to do with music's execution. The precise timing, synchronized between players, is exactly independent of the instrument's appearance; if it were not orchestra and any other mixed-instrument band/group would be impossible.
There’s no reasoning with an authoritarian statist Philistine who believes in conformity.
Orchestras are not run like football teams or the army.
A certain amount of individual flamboyance is not only allowed, but encouraged.
Check out the wardrobe of Jacques-Yves Thibaudet sometime.