The Woodlands College Park High School Cavelier Band

Due to recent observations in and around the band hall, uniform room, stadium and other points of interest, this mini-course has been added to the band student curriculum.  This is a required course, and there may be pop quizzes at any time.

I .  The Uniform is Expensive

Every marching band member who has been checked out a uniform has signed (or should have signed) an acknowledgement of responsibility for their uniform – about $220 for the main parts provided by the school (jacket, bib, gauntlets and hat).  These uniforms are expected to last 12-15 years.  In addition, the student provides band t-shirts, black shorts, black socks, shoes and white gloves – possibly another $100 investment.  Not taking care of uniforms costs money and precious points at competitions.

II.  Get it Right

When uniforms were checked out, hemming instructions were given with them.   Whether you hemmed the pants or someone else did, it is your responsibility to make sure they are done correctly.  This may seem like knit-picking, but it is very important to the useful life of the uniforms and to getting the highest scores at competitions.  To recap:

1. Hems should reach the second eyelet on the marching shoe in the front and the stitching approximately 1/2-inch below the top at the heel of the shoe.
2. Do not cut the fabric.  You may carefully release the side seams as needed to make the hem smooth.  Please make sure the side seam is stitched closed at the folded edge.
3. Fold the hem only once at the bottom edge.  Do not double the fabric and do not attach  hem tape or other fabric to the pants.
4. Stitch the hem by hand only.  Machine stitching shows, generally isn’t as smooth and it may damage the fabric when stitched or when removed.
5. All pants must have elastics  to go under the foot hand-sewn at each side seam.

If you have any questions, please contact the Band Booster Uniform Chair.

III. Treat it Right

• Get a garment bag.  Your uniform, including all parts – school or student supplied, must be kept clean and dry.  When you carry your uniform to games or other events, it must be carried in a garment bag free of  holes or tears.  The blue, heavy weight Cavalier Marching Band garment bag offered to each student will protect your uniform, help it return to the right school if misplaced and will help us identify it and keep it in the right place after every performance and every washing.  It saves time  getting and returning uniforms to the uniform room and the cost for a freshman or sophomore is pennies a use – not bad for saving time and hassle and protecting a $300 investment.
• Get your name on the garment bag.  If you ordered a blue Cavalier garment bag, you will have the embroidered personalization as well as a name card in the pocket.  If you did not, you must have your name on the bag and it is your responsibility to make sure your name is on the bag at all times.  If you have borrowed a black nylon bag, your name card can go in the clear pocket on the front of the bag.  Do not write on the bag.
• Hang it  neatly.  Make sure your pants are smoothly folded at the front and back crease and laid smoothly across the bar of the hanger.  Make sure the jacket shoulders are square on the top of the hanger and that the jacket is fully zipped.  This is very important to keep the uniform looking fresh and sharp as well as to keep it hanging on the hanger – not on the floor or in a mud puddle.
• Remove the uniform from the garment bag when hung in the uniform room.  Zip the garment bag and hang it behind the uniform by looping the handle over the top of the hanger.  This is essential to allow sweaty uniforms to dry and air out.
• Only the hat and gauntlets may be stored in the hat box.  Nothing else.  Paper, cotton gloves, shirts, towels and such retain moisture and prevent the hat and gauntlets from drying.  Everything in the box then becomes subject to mildew and mold very quickly.  In order for the gauntlets to dry properly, they must be placed smoothly around the sides of the hat.  Bend, but do not fold them.  Do not place them inside or underneath the hat.  They will mildew.
• Take home and wash everything else.  Your shirt, shorts, socks, gloves and towel should be washed after each event for your own comfort and those sitting around you.  Make sure your shoes are allowed to dry and air out between wearings.
• If you have a problem, it is much better to let us know as early as possible and before the busses are getting loaded on game day.  We will try to help you, but our options become very limited as time runs out.  We have a repair kit, extra buttons and other supplies to help you in a pinch, but it is up to you to do your best to keep your uniform in top shape and to timely let us know when you need our help.

Finally, thank you for your patience as we have reorganized the uniform room.   We are nearly done and hope it will make your time in the uniform room shorter and easier and allow you to focus on your performance. If you have any questions, please let us know.

If you have any questions, please contact the Band Booster Uniform Chair.