Marching Band Uniform Wear & Care Instructions
No jewelry or facial hair may be worn while in uniform.

Shoes & Socks
  • Black shoes and black, over-the-calf socks are required when in uniform.  These items should always remain stored in your uniform bag at the school.  You will need to purchase your own black MTX marching shoes. You can purchase them at  http://www.bandoshoes.com/  or other online stores.  
  • Follow the “Pair and a Spare” rule for socks:  keep at least two pair of socks in your bag, and at least one pair of clean socks to rotate into your bag when you take a pair home to wash.

Gloves
One pair of white gloves will be provided at the beginning of the year – replacement pairs are available for a small fee.

Shako (hat)
  • The shako should be worn with the top flat, parallel to the ground (not pushed back like a ball cap), so the plume points straight up in the air.  The brim is worn low over your eyebrows.  You should be able to fit two fingers between the brim of the shako and the bridge of your nose – one finger means the shako is too small, three fingers means it is too big.   
  • NEVER TOUCH YOUR PLUME (feathers)!!!  Body oil and dirt from your hands damages the feathers in the plume.  A special team of Booster Parents will attach and remove your plume from your shako at every event.  

Uniform Jacket, Bibbers (Pants), Sash and Gauntlets
  • Uniforms should not touch the floor or ground.  Put your uniform bag down flat first, and then carefully lay your uniform on top of it.  
  • You may drink water while in uniform, but no other drinks or foods are allowed until your uniform has been removed and properly stored in your uniform bag.
  • Do not leave your uniform bag on the ground after changing clothes – hang it back up on the appropriate rack.  
  • When putting the uniform back into your bag, make sure the shoulder wings are flipped towards the jacket neckline and the sash is secured, bibbers are zipped up and folded correctly with the leg crease in place. Hang both pieces properly on the hanger, and zip up the jacket.  Shoes should be kept in the pockets provided inside the bag to prevent dirt from getting on your uniform.  Gauntlets should be stored in the pocket of the uniform bag or in your shako box.  
  • NEVER attempt to repair or wash your uniform, sash, gauntlets, or shako.  If something needs repaired or washed, please contact the Director of Uniforms.  

Hair
  • The word “UNIFORM” represents more than clothing; it describes our overall group appearance, as well.  In order for everyone to look “uniform in our uniforms,” girls will need to wear their hair up on top of their head in a tight bun, with sides sleek and secure. 
  • The bun must be placed far enough forward on the head to allow the shako to fit over it and remain parallel to the ground (see diagram).   
  • Hair cannot hang below the shako, and the shako cannot be worn pushed back at an angle.
  •  **NOTE: Girls playing sousaphone or in the PIT do not wear shakos; their hair should be smoothed into a low ponytail or braid.
Hair bun should be worn:


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