Uniforms

NOTE: This content is still being worked for 2021-2022 season

BAND UNIFORM INFORMATION

Students are fitted for Marching Band uniforms on assigned days during band camp in July/August. 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 full marching band uniform includes the following:

  • Garment bag (issued)

  • Marching Shirt (issued at band camp, see below)

  • **Marching jacket with collar liner (issued)

  • Bibs/Uniform Pants (issued)

  • **Gauntlets (issued)

  • **Hat/hat box/berets for tuba players (issued)

  • **Breastplate (issued)

  • Band show shirt (provided by Mr. Dubbs)

  • Black mid-calf length socks (provided by students)

  • Marching shoes***

  • White or Black gloves*

  • Black pep flip folder*

*Items to be purchased and charged to student’s Charms account

**Issued only if necessary

***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.


MARCHING BAND SHIRTS

New marching shirts will be distributed at band camp. They are to be worn over the show shirt and bibs. They will be collected after EVERY event by the section leaders. A designated parent will launder the shirts. Cleaned shirts will be returned and distributed to the students before the next event.

Parents are NOT to wash the shirts unless it is in an emergency!

If this is the case, wash in cold water, mild detergent and line dry.

DO NOT put them in the dryer and DO NOT DRY CLEAN!


Students are fitted for Concert, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble in October, at the end of Marching Season.

The full concert band uniform includes the following:

  • Garment Bag

  • Tuxedo jacket (dry clean only)

  • Pants (dry clean only)

  • Bow tie (dry clean only)

  • Cummerbund (dry clean only)

  • Tuxedo shirt*

  • Black mid-calf socks (no black tights or nylons, no no-show/ankle), provided by students

  • Black marching band shoes, provided by students

*Items to be purchased & charged to student’s Charms account

During Concert Season students will most often be asked to arrive at school in uniform. They should be sure to button their tux shirts to the top, have threaded the band of the bow tie through the loop on the back of the shirt collar and adjusted the band if necessary. White shirt points are worn over the band of the tie, but behind the bow. The cummerbund should be worn with the folds pointing UP. Mid-calf length black socks and marching shoes complete the uniform. Excessive makeup, perfume and nail polish should not be worn, and shoes should be shined before each performance.

HEMMING MARCHING AND CONCERT PANTS

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.

UNIFORM RETURN

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 and hangers, jacket with collar liner, pants, gauntlets, hats/boxes, berets and breastplates. Uniforms will be collected by the uniform committee and professionally cleaned. The fee for this cleaning is included in the student’s class fee cost. Students keep gloves and shoes. Remember that lost, excessively soiled or damaged items will result in uniform fines, shown below.

Concert uniforms are returned at the end of the Concert Season, typically immediately after the last concert in late April or May. At that time students will turn in ALL of the numbered items that were issued. This includes: garment bag and hangers, tuxedo jacket, pants, bow tie and cummerbund. Students keep the tux shirt. Uniforms will be collected by the uniform committee and professionally cleaned. The fee for this cleaning is included in the student’s class fee cost. Remember that lost, excessively soiled or damaged items will result in uniform fines.

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

The following fees and 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.

UNIFORM REPLACEMENT CHARGES AND FINES

  • Black Socks - $5

  • No Cleaning Receipt (per due date) - $25

  • Replacement or Extra Pep Band T-shirt - $15

  • Replacement Shoes (including shipping) - $50

  • Replacement or Extra Tuxedo Shirt - $24

ESTIMATED FINES FOR UNIFORM PARTS NOT RETURNED

  • Marching Jacket - $450

  • Gauntlet Set - $80

  • Breastplate - $175

  • Collar Liner - $35

  • Hat - $80

  • Hat Box - $30

  • Beret - $15

  • Black Garment Bag - $40

  • Concert Jacket - $250

  • Pants - $170

  • Bow Tie - $10

  • Cummerbund - $20

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.

NOTE: All wind, brass and percussion students are responsible for having their uniforms cleaned during both Marching and Concert Seasons. A cleaning schedule can be found in below. These cleaning costs, approximately $10.00, are the responsibility of each student and are not charged to the student account. A $25 fine will be charged to any student that does not turn in a cleaning receipt on or before each due date.

PEP BAND UNIFORM

The Pep Band uniform is worn when the band performs at March-a-Thon and Eldorado basketball games. The pep band uniform consists of the official white band T-shirt, blue jeans (without holes) and gym shoes. The shirt must be clean, in good condition and tucked into the blue jeans at all times.

UNIFORM CARE

Marching Uniform

  • Always hang up your uniform when not wearing

  • Keep gauntlets flat and in back zippered pocket

  • Always remove the collar liner before cleaning

  • Always point out spots or stains to the dry cleaners

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

  • Clean and polish shoes for each performance

  • Clean hat using a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol

  • Keep hat and hatbox clean

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

Concert Uniform

  • Follow the care instructions on the tuxedo shirt for cleaning.

  • Always hang up your uniform when not wearing it

  • Store cummerbund and bow tie in your garment bag to keep from losing

  • Clean and polish your shoes before every performance

Marching Uniform Dry Cleaning

To keep your uniform in top condition you must have your jacket* and pants professionally dry-cleaned according to the schedule on the calendar. Uniforms will be cleaned according to the schedule printed below. Receipts must be dated AFTER the first date, and turned into the Uniform Chair NO LATER THAN the second date.

*Note: Jackets will not be worn for the 2021 Marching Season!

Cleaning 1: September 20 - September 28

Cleaning 2: October 11 - October 17

IMPORTANT: The student’s first and last name must be written on the dry-cleaning receipt!!!

Turn receipts into Mr. Claspell by:

  • Emailing them to him at uniforms@eldorado.band.

  • Texting a picture of them to (505) 234-6299.

A cleaning fine of $25.00 will be charged to the accounts of those students who do not turn in a receipt for each cleaning. American Pride Cleaners ($7.00), Suzie N Cleaners ($9.00) and Whiting Cleaners ($10.00) are where most students have their uniforms cleaned.

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.

COLOR GUARD/WINTER GUARD UNIFORM INFORMATION

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 is through Charms.

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 Charms 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.