"The" Uniform

Each band student has a clothing bag in the band room closet in which their uniform hangs.  Each band uniform is assigned to a particular student; it has a number on its tag so it is easy to keep track of whose uniform is who's.  The helmet box number and the bag number are the same. 

Here is a list of the band uniform parts and their care.  The coat, cape, helmet, and plume for the helmet always stay at school.  Special raincoats for inclement weather also stay at school.  Band booster volunteers in charge of uniforms make sure they are clean and in good repair.  At least one volunteer travels with the band to do on-the-spot or quick repairs as needed.

Pants

Two pairs of pants are provided for each student.  The cleaner pair is to be worn at competitions.  They do get dirty!  Parents have found that scrubbing stains immediately after an event works best.  Spray with Oxy-Clean (Max Force or, Totally Awesome (found in dollar stores) work great!) then use a toothbrush to scrub the solution into the material.  Handwash, hang dry, then iron when dry, making sure creases in the front and the back of the pants are sharp.  DO NOT BLEACH!  This will turn the pants yellow.  Liquid Cascade directly applied to grass or mud stains also works.  Extra pairs of pants are available for about $38 per pair.  If your student significantly grows out of his/her pants mid-season, talk with the volunteers who take care of uniforms.

Shoes

During band camp, feet are measured for a pair of white shoes from Kerr's Music World.  Parents buy this pair for a cost of approximately $33, and also find it useful to buy another pair to wear at competitions.  Some buy the second pair 1/2 size larger so when the band member's feet grow during the season, shoes are immediately available to them.  Magic erasers work extremely well to keep these shoes looking white and clean.  Please take out shoelaces and clean them as needed.

Please invest in a couple of pairs of long white socks (absolutely NO short socks are permitted.)

Gloves

White gloves are also required as a part of the uniform.  Kerr's Music World sells Velcro gloves that are worn at competitions, or plain cloth ones are available from the uniform volunteers.  The first plain cloth pair is free; additional pairs are available for $3.00 per pair.  Buying an extra set of gloves and taking the extra pair to football games and competitions is recommended.

Shorts

White shorts are needed under the white pants, and long white socks (NOT short) are also required.  Long underwear for colder weather can be any color under the top, but must be white under the uniform pants.

Shirts

Each band member will receive two (2) official t-shirts to wear under their band jackets; one (1) competition design worn exclusively to competitions and one (1) red "CM" shirt worn at all other times unless otherwise instructed.  these required uniform pieces MUST be worn throughout the year so please treat them with TLC.  Washing them inside out protects the pattern on the shirts.

Repairs

Accidents happen.  We know this, but please report any loss of buttons or snaps, broken zippers, or ripped seams to the uniform volunteers as soon as possible for repair.  Getting news of a damaged uniform just prior to the start of a game or competition does not leave adequate time or good will on the part of the volunteers for fixing the mishap.