Uniforms

Students are fitted for Marching Band uniforms on assigned days during band camp in July.  If students cannot make their scheduled day, arrangements for uniform fitting and checkout can be made with the Uniform Chair PRIOR to their assigned day.

The Marching Season uniform includes the following pieces.  Some are supplied by APS, some are charged directly to student accounts.  Color guard are issued a sideline uniform different from the marching uniform.  

• Garment Bag

• Jacket

• Dress Shirt

• Bibs

• Gauntlets

• Hat (Wrap/Visor)

• Show shirts (2 each)

• Black gloves* (if required)

• Long black socks**

• Black marching shoes***

*Items to be purchased and charged to student’s Cut Time account

**Student supplied

***The purchase of marching shoes is mandatory for first year and new band students. Replacement marching shoes should be purchased when the old ones are worn out or no longer fit, if marching shoes are ordered after band camp, shipping costs will apply.

The Concert Season uniform will be student-supplied.  It will consist of:

• Black pants

• Long black socks

• Black shoes

• Long or short sleeve black shirt (no tank tops or spaghetti straps) that cover the midriff

• Clothing should allow for ease of performing your instruments on stage and should be modest

NOTE: The socks and shoes used for marching season are perfectly acceptable for use during concert season.

The Jazz Band uniform consists of the following:

• Black pants

• Long black socks

• Black shoes

• Ensemble specific dress shirt

• Ensemble specific tie

Students who are participating in the same jazz ensemble as previous years, and have already purchased the specific shirt and tie for that ensemble, can reuse those items.  Students participating in new jazz ensembles from previous years, or are new to jazz bands at Eldorado, will be sized by the uniform chair and have shirts and ties ordered for them.  Costs for these items will be directly charged in Cut Time.

Students should have someone help check their pant length.  The bottom of the pant leg should touch the top of the shoe and the front crease should be straight.  Pants length should always be adjusted first by adjusting the suspenders. If that doesn’t work, the pants can be hemmed by hand sewing only.

DO NOT CUT THE PANTS TO SHORTEN THEM!  

Contact the Uniform Chair if assistance is needed.

Marching uniforms are returned at the end of the Marching Season, typically immediately after the parent performance at Eldorado.  At that time students will turn in ALL of the numbered items that were issued. This includes: Garment bag, Jacket, Dress Shirt, Bibs, Gauntlets, and Hat (wrap and visor).  Uniforms will be collected by the uniform committee and cleaned.  Students keep show shirts, gloves, and shoes.  Remember that lost, excessively soiled or damaged items will result in uniform fines, shown below.

UNIFORMS NOT RETURNED ON TIME WILL RESULT IN A $25 FINE, WHICH WILL BE CHARGED TO THE STUDENT’S ACCOUNT.

The following fines will apply to uniforms for replacement and cleaning.  All marching band uniform pieces issued to band students are the property of Albuquerque Public Schools and may be worn only for band performances.  As such, the replacement/damage charges listed below that apply to APS property will be handled by APS and subject to APS policies.  The amounts are estimated and subject to change according to APS and/or the uniform supplier at the time of assessment.  Charges for APS property will be assessed by APS to the student APS account.  Students with unpaid balances on their APS accounts will not receive their diploma post-graduation.

UNIFORM REPLACEMENT CHARGES AND FINES

APS Supplied Uniform Parts

• Jacket - $265

• Dress Shirt - $115

• Bibs - $116

• Gauntlets - $88

• Hat Wrap - $80

• Hat Visor - $66

• Color Guard Sideline Uniform - $315

Booster Supplied Uniform Parts

• Black Socks - $5

• Replacement Gloves - $14

• Replacement or Extra Band Show Shirt - $15

• Replacement Shoes (including shipping) - $50

The Uniform Committee may adjust fines as necessary for unusual or excessive damage to uniforms. Students are responsible for returning ALL the numbered parts of the uniform.

The Pep Band uniform is worn when the band performs at the March-a-Thon and Eldorado basketball games.  The pep band uniform consists of the current band show T-Shirt tucked in to blue jeans (without holes) and closed toe shoes.  The shirt must be tucked into the blue jeans at all times and may be untucked when the band is done with the event.

Marching Uniform

• Always hang up your uniform when not wearing

• Always check your uniform to be sure that you have all the pieces

• Clean and polish shoes for each performance

• Hand-wash and air-dry gloves at home after every performance

Concert Uniform

• Always hang up your pants and shirt when not wearing it

• Make sure your pants and shirt are not wrinkled

• Ensure your shoes are clean and polished before every performance

Marching Uniform Cleaning

Everything you need to know about caring for the marching uniform can be found in our downloadable Uniform Guide.  When cleaning the uniform, we suggest printing these instructions out so you can easily follow them as you are laundering the uniform pieces.

All damages to the uniforms will result in fines. This policy will be strictly enforced. When the uniform is turned in at the end of the season, it will be inspected for damage. See above for uniform replacement costs and fines.

The Marching Season Color Guard uniform is specific to the marching show each year. It is worn for all performances, unless students are instructed otherwise.  Winter Guard takes place at the end of Marching Season.  It is a distinct show and competition season and a separate uniform will be ordered for each guard member.  Payment for both the Marching Season and Winter Guard Season uniforms are through the student accounts.  Color guard are issued sideline uniforms supplied by APS that must be returned and are subject to the uniform policies above.

Color Guard uniforms are not just the clothing that is selected by the Color Guard instructor.  They also include other items that help form the visual effect our Color Guard conveys on the marching field or in the performance space.  This includes undergarments, hair accessories, and makeup.  The Color Guard uniform, gloves and Winter Guard Show Shirt are paid through the student accounts because they are ordered for the entire ensemble.  Individual Color Guard members are responsible for the out of pocket expenses for the purchase of shoes, undergarments, hair accessories, and makeup.

CLEANING

Cleaning instructions are determined by the costume care tags and will be given by the Color Guard instructor.