UNIFORM RULES
It is the student’s responsibility to see that his or her uniform remain in good condition. Students and/or parents are financially responsible for any damage caused to the uniform due to negligence or misuse. Uniforms will be stored at school in the band trailer. Students will return uniforms, properly hung on the hanger, to the trailer at the conclusion of each performance. The Marching Sundevils use black-and-white uniforms for field and parade.
The band is judged on their music, marching ability,ANDon their appearance. We need to present a neat, clean, sharp, uniform, military look.
NO EATING OR DRINKING while in uniform! This includes gum and candy. The only exception is for water, which is provided by Band Moms. This is to prevent damage and staining to the uniforms.
Treat the uniforms with respect: The band uniform, shako, spats , plume, garment bag, and hanger cost approximately $450 total for each student. We ask that each student treat the uniform as they would a rented evening gown or tuxedo. This means taking them on and off with care, hanging them up properly when putting them away, not laying them down on floors or sidewalks at tournaments, etc. The uniform should either be on the student or in the bag at all times. Band Moms will help to enforce this rule.
Undergarments: All students wear clothing underneath their uniforms to help preserve the uniform from sweat, and because the students all change in and out of uniform together. Wear soft, flexible exercise or bicycling shorts, preferably black. No denim or cargo type shorts or long pants, please. Clean white t-shirts with short sleeves and no logos are worn on top (no sleeveless T-shirts). Black socks are worn with the uniforms for both field and parade. No jewelry (watches, earrings, or piercings), makeup or nail polish is allowed.
To hang up the uniforms: Fold the pants along the crease as you would hang good dress pants. Hang them on the silver part of the hanger and then lock in the bar to secure the pants for transport. The jacket goes on the hanger with the front on the jacket on the concave part of the hanger.
Garment bags: After wearing, put the uniform in the garment bag with the zipper half way up. This allows sweaty uniforms to air out. The bags are not indestructible and must be handled with care. Garment bags are for uniforms ONLY; no shoes or other heavy items are allowed in the bags. While the uniform is being worn, garment bags should be HUNG UP on the racks and not left on the floor.
Plumes are very fragile and will be handled ONLY by Band Moms wearing white gloves. Oils that form naturally on everyone’s hands will damage the plumes by causing them to turn yellow. Students may not remove their own plumes nor touch them. Plumes are the last part of the uniform put on the student. Likewise, the plume is the first thing removed before instruments are put away or uniforms removed.
Shakos (hats) should either be in their storage box or on the student’s head. Plastic bags are provided for when the student has to take the shako off at a football game. They MUST be in the plastic bag and must never be put down on the concrete without the bag. All hair must be tucked under the shako (this includes boys with long hair). Avoid using any gel or hair spray because it can damage the shakos.
Shoes and shoelaces must be clean. They are to be worn ONLY for performances. Please bring other shoes to wear during stretching and to walk around. It is easier to clean them right after a performance than to wait until just before the next performance. Do not use shoe polish while wearing the uniform. All shoes look alike: label the inside of each shoe with your name!
Gloves are used only with the field show uniforms. Drumline (battery) and pit will not wear gloves at all. Only the flutes and clarinets will cut off the fingertips of the gloves. You may hem the fingertips or use “fray check” if desired. Please make sure the gloves are clean for each performance! You may take them home and wash them; we recommend wearing them while washing your hands, then removing them to dry. You may label the inside cuff of the gloves with your name. Each student will receive one pair of gloves free at the beginning of the marching season. Additional pairs will be available for purchase from the Uniform Moms for $2.00 at each performance.
Non Uniform Parades: There will be one or two parades where uniforms are not worn (July 4th). At these parades students will where red polos, black shorts, white socks and sneakers.