Uniforms

Band uniforms are designed to give a standardized appearance to all band members. This does not allow individual variation in dress. Therefore, all band members must look as much alike in uniform as possible. In order to achieve this end, all uniforms must fit in an identical manner. All hats must be worn at the same angle and all long hair must be hidden under the hats. When being judged, a good uniform appearance can make the difference between ratings. 

Uniform fitting takes place after practice during full band week of summer camp. Band members will be fitted for a coat, hat, and pants. Pants and sleeves will be hemmed after they are fitted. Flag corps members will be fitted, also.
 

Marching/Concert Band Uniform

School-Owned Equipment
Hat/hat box      
Coat
Plume      
Pants
Rain poncho

Student-Owned Equipment

Band T-Shirt - The Band Booster Organization provides one shirt free of cost to each band student. Students are required to wear the T-shirt to school on every football game day.

This shirt is part of the bands’ rain uniform. In case of extreme weather, band students will wear jeans, their band shirt and tennis shoes instead of the formal uniform. Mr. Thomas will decide when the band will wear the rain uniform. Please be prepared each game day in case of extreme weather.

The Band Boosters will provide only one free shirt per student for the duration of their time in West High Marching Band. Please take care when washing this shirt, as we want to maintain a uniform appearance for the band. Bleach should NOT be used in the laundry. If the band shirt turns pink, becomes stained or discolored, it will be the student’s responsibility to purchase a new shirt.

Black socks-above the ankle.

Black gloves

Special black marching shoes - All marching band students must wear the same style shoe. Shoe fittings are during Full Band Week in the summer. If you did not order shoes then you need to go to the Trade Center ASAP and place your order so as to have them by the first game.

Black scrub pants - These must be worn over uniform pants at all times other than when performing on the field or in a parade. All members need to purchase a pair. The Band Boosters placed one large order and students will be notified where and when to pick up and pay for their scrubs. 

**Students must wear shorts and their band T-shirt under the uniform at all times.
 

Flag Corps Uniform

School-Owned Equipment
Guard uniform    

Student-Owned Equipment
Shoes
Make-up
 

Uniform Care
Band uniforms, for the most part, are owned by the school and loaned out to individual students with the understanding that they will be taken care of. Maintenance will be monitored very closely. This demands that while a student is in possession of a uniform, responsible care will be exhibited concerning the wearing and storing of the uniform. Students are restricted from wearing the uniform anywhere that is not a band activity and they may not allow other individuals to wear any parts of the uniform. The purpose of a uniform is so that everyone looks alike. Because of this, all pieces of the uniform will be worn correctly and at all times. There might be times we take parts of the uniform off because of weather, etc. Only the director will make the decision to take off uniform parts. Extreme care should be taken while eating in uniform, i.e. breaks, third quarter, etc. While the band is in transit from one place to another, care should be taken so that the uniform does not get soiled or wrinkled. When the uniform is turned in after the performance it is usually moist due to perspiration or in inclement weather. Care should be taken to hang the uniform in the storage bag properly to avoid unnecessary wrinkling.
 

Students’ Responsibilities regarding the uniforms
Examine the uniform garment after each use. Notify the uniform managers of any problems, such as stains or repairs which need to be made.

Always hang up uniforms after a performance. Place trousers "on the crease" with coat over hanger with the "round" or curved part of the hanger to the back of coat.

Do not place any other objects inside the garment bag. The uniform bag is for the uniform pants and coat only. While the uniform is being worn, "change clothing" may be kept in the uniform bag and then exchanged at the conclusion of a performance.

Place hat in your hat box.

Verify where to place wet items.

Always put uniform bag and hat box away in proper place in the band room before leaving.

The uniforms will be stored at the school, unless some special arrangements have been made to take it home for some special purpose, in which case you must notify the band director or uniform manager. Never leave your uniform in a car unattended for an extended period of time. Never leave your uniform in the sun for an extended period of time because it will fade.

Never wear plumes in the rain.

Be very careful in situations where buses are parked closely together. Do not allow any part of your uniform to come in contact with the exterior of any vehicle or building.

Always wear your scrubs when not on field.  Watch when you sit down to make sure nothing is on your seat or the bleachers.
 

Cleaning and Maintenance of Uniforms
Cleaning and maintenance funding comes from band camp fees at the beginning of each year. All uniforms will be cleaned after the marching season and at the end of the year at no additional cost. If your uniform needs mending or cleaning, make sure that the band director knows this. If a uniform is found to be unduly soiled during a season, cost for additional cleaning will be your responsibility.  
 

Additional Equipment
Every brass player must furnish his/her own valve oil and slide grease.

Every woodwind player should provide his/her own cork grease and reeds.

All percussionists must furnish their own sticks and mallets.

All band members must have a lyre and flip folder with enough pages to hold all marching music.

Message From Mr. Thomas
Mr. Thomas wants parents to know that he is not in the band room after school on home game days. Mr. Thomas arrives approximately 30 minutes before the students are required to be in their seats.

This means that if your son or daughter stays at the school on home game days, they are not supervised.

Travel Uniform
The travel uniform will be worn when traveling to away games.  The travel uniform consists of the current band T-shirt, uniform pants, scrubs, and band shoes. Students carry their coats (in their uniform bags) and hat boxes. Remember that band students must always wear a shirt and shorts under their uniforms.

Travel Information
The operation of the Morristown West High School Band requires that the band travels many times during the year. All members are required to travel with the band.

Exceptions to this are very rare, and permission to travel separately can only be given after a travel consent form is completed and approved by the band director and principal.

Hamblen County permission slips for off campus travel will be issued as needed for each student to have signed by a parent or legal guardian.  These permission slips are necessary for the student to be allowed to take part in the band program. 
 

Duties of Students
Any trip with the band is considered an Academic Commitment. Traveling to and from home and away football games and competitions is a school function, and students are expected to conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for classroom behavior. As with any school activity, all school rules are in effect. Any student found in violation will be dealt with according to school policy. In severe cases, students will be referred to the school administration, and will be dealt with according to school board policy. These standards follow the rules in the West High handbook and the Hamblen County rules of conduct.

Violations of these standards include:

Disrespect – Chaperones shall be afforded the same respect that any teacher or school official enjoys. 

Profanity - The use of profane or vulgar language is prohibited.

Littering – Students are responsible for removing and placing in a proper trash receptacle any bottles, papers, cups, etc. that they use at the game.  A plastic garbage bag will be placed on each bus and passed back to students before arriving at the school at the end of the trip. Students are responsible for making sure no debris is left in their bus seat area.

Physical Contact Policy - No inappropriate display of affection between students is permissible.

Fighting - No exchange of physical blows (hitting, slapping, pushing, shoving, grabbing, etc.) will be tolerated.
 

Arriving and Departing
All band students will be responsible for facilitating the movement of equipment, supplies, etc. to and from the field or bus. Students must be prepared to give assistance whenever any chaperone or band parent requests it or whenever they see anyone in need of help.

Prior to the first football game, a list will be posted for students to sign up for a bus assignment. Never remove or change anyone’s name. Once everyone has signed, the list will be removed and typed for use in roll call. Once the list has been removed, no changes will be made. The bus you sign up for is your assigned bus.  

Percussionists and band officers are required to assist in loading and unloading of the equipment bus.  Band member are responsible for loading their own instrument and equipment. All large instruments will be transported on the equipment bus, while smaller instruments are carried on the student buses.    

Chaperones and bus drivers are to be treated with the utmost respect. Remember, we cannot travel without them. Please show your appreciation for the service they are providing. 
 

Bus Conduct
Students shall enter the bus in an orderly fashion and go directly to a seat and remain seated until the destination is reached.

Students shall keep their hands, arms, and heads inside the bus.

All articles such as backpacks, bags, musical instruments, etc., must be kept out of the aisle.

The emergency door must be used for emergencies only.

Chaperones will sit apart, with an equal distance between each other, spread out from the front to the rear of the bus and provide behavioral supervision of students while in transit.

Bus Rules

These rules are set forth by the Board of Education and must be adhered to. In view of the fact that bus service is an extension of the classroom, the board expects students to conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for classroom behavior.

Chaperones are expected to enforce the rules. Students are expected to follow the rules and listen to the chaperones.  

The aisles must be clear of hat boxes, uniforms, backpacks, instruments, etc.

No one is to have their feet across the aisle to the other side.

The emergency door can not be blocked with anything like instruments, hat boxes, etc.  It must remain clear at all times.

Students must keep their arms, hands, and heads inside the bus. 

Students must remain facing forward and not have their back against the back of the seat in front of them. 

Students must remain seated at all times while the bus is moving.

There is to be no yelling, profanity, or fighting on the bus.

Chaperones must call roll and make sure everyone is accounted for.  No one is to switch buses.

There is to be no inappropriate display of affection between students. If there is, this will have to be addressed by the chaperones. Flashlights are provided for the late night bus rides home after games. 

Students must pick up their trash on the bus.  This is very important especially at the end of the night.

 

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