Uniforms
What does the Marching Band Uniform look like?
Our uniform consists of a blue jacket with a sash, black bibs, a hat called a shako, black gloves, and marching shoes.
Are there any extra items on the uniform?
Yes. You will be provided with a Black KR T-shirt at the beginning of each season which you will have to wear for every presentation, under your uniform. You will not be allowed to march if you don’t wear the black KR t-shirt.
Additionally, you will have to wear long black socks for all competitions. You will not be allowed to march if you don’t wear the knee-high black socks. Believe it or not points are deducted for this.
Why do some students use white gloves?
White gloves are only used by the Drum Majors during performances, but some students like to have an extra pair of white gloves for cleaning their instruments.
*In this case, they are not a requirement for the uniform.
Do I need to buy the uniform?
No, the SMHS Music program will provide you with the jacket, pants, and the shako. It is because of this we ask that you do take care of your uniform while you are wearing it. Should something happen to your uniform it is best to tell at least one of the uniform coordinators as soon as possible, so that it may be fixed before the next performance competition.
How about gloves and shoes? Do I need to buy them?
Yes. Students have to buy their own gloves and marching shoes. We recommend buying at least two pairs of gloves at the beginning of each season.
Where can I buy gloves and shoes?
On Uniform Fitting Day you will have the opportunity of trying on gloves and shoes to know your size, and you will order them from us.
How much do gloves cost?
Two pairs of gloves cost $5.
How much do marching shoes cost?
They cost $35 per pair.
How do I pay for shoes and gloves?
You can pay for them in cash, check, or credit card on registration day or any time after that, until they are delivered out to the students. This is typically right before the first marching band presentations. We will not deliver any item that is not paid for and students cannot march if they are not in full uniform.
What if I already have gloves and marching shoes from a past season?
If they still fit you, you are encouraged to use them again.
Is there any other way to get marching shoes?
Yes, we have many marching shoes, donated from past students that are in really good condition. You do not have to buy shoes if you don’t want to. We highly recommend you to ask any Uniform Coordinator for a pair of loaner shoes.
What if I lose or forget a pair of gloves or shoes?
We always bring spare gloves and shoes to any competition, but remember that these items are your responsibility. Loaners, in this case, should be asked for only in a case of an emergency. Same rule applies to black KR t-shirt and black knee-high socks in the event that you lose yours. **Remember that a loaner means you will return the borrowed item, if you plan to take it home to wash, please let us know.
What is Uniform Fitting Day?
During SMA, usually on the second week or the beginning of the third week, students will come early to try on and have their uniforms fitted and assigned. You will also have the opportunity of placing orders for gloves and/or shoes, or choosing a pair of loaner shoes from our “donated shoes box”. It is also recommended to wear or bring a t-shirt and shorts (to change into) for fitting day as it makes the fitting easier. Also, we do the uniform fittings with the uniform inside out. This is to allow us to get the best and most secure fit for your uniform. Once you have all your uniform fitted, shoes, gloves and shako, you will place your name card on your uniform bag and hang it on the racks by instrument section. Your shako will go in its own box, it too will have a number and go on the shelf above the uniforms.
Can I bring my uniform home?
No, once student has been assigned a uniform, they will also be assigned a specific garment bag with their name on them, and this will be stored at school at all times, and it will be given to your student right before performances.
What should I do with my hair/facial hair on competition day?
Your hair should either be up, if the length permits it, or clipped back, so that when you have your shako on no stray hairs can be seen. Stray hair should be pinned back or hair sprayed at all times during performances. This applies to everyone in the band, boys and girls. This is of great importance to us because the neatness and uniformity of the band is crucial for judgement in competitions. There are even some tournaments in which judges will take points off for small things such as unkempt hair. Same is to be said an facial hair, young men are asked to be clean shaven for all performance competitions.
Can I wear jewelry?
No, you must remove any piece of jewelry such as earrings, neckless, bracelets, or rings before going to the field. Furthermore, you should also remove any nail- polish. You will not be allowed to march if you wear any of these. It’s probably best not to wear personal jewelry on competition days to avoid it getting lost.
What to expect on performance competition days:
When we arrive to our destination we will disembark the buses. There will be a lot of action everywhere. Once uniforms are unloaded you will be able to locate your uniform by instrument section. You will dress over your KR shirt and shorts, with your black knee high socks. Make sure before you put your jacket on your hair is up and that none of it is loose. Also, make sure that if you have jewelry to remove it and place it somewhere safe.
How can I volunteer with uniforms?
Helping with uniforms is one of the most fun activities for parents that want to participate and be close to their kids. These activities are typically during marching season, and you can sign up for: Fitting Day, preparing uniforms and water supplies before performances, hair and makeup on performance days, putting plumes on shakos, distributing water for students, and much more.
Fundraising
The music/color guard program is paid for by the school district as part of public education.
Not true. The school district provides only limited in-school music education; off-campus and supplemental activities (coaching, tournaments, festivals, clinics, and transportation) are NOT funded by SMHS or SMUSD at all.
Music/CG off-campus opportunities and supplemental instruction can’t cost that much, right?
Not true. It costs about $700/student beyond what the school district provides for funding the full range of SMHS music and color guard opportunities made possible only by donations and fundraising each year.
I don’t need to contribute; Boosters raise plenty of money for the program each year without me.
Not true. Boosters coordinate fundraising and volunteer activities. Booster-led events raise about $150/student each year, but that leaves a $550/student gap that relies on family/community donations to fully fund program opportunities (tournaments, festivals, coaching, clinics). This is for regular program activities and does NOT include championships or small ensemble travel. EVERYONE’S help is needed to make the full experience possible, and all help is greatly appreciated.
Music and Color Guard coaches are paid for by SMHS or SMUSD funds.
Not true. Music and Color Guard coaches’ wages/taxes are entirely billed to SMHS Music Boosters. Without family and community donations there would be no music or color guard coaches for the program.
If family/community donations come up short, the school district will fill in the funding gap.
Not true. The school district is not required or able to fund off-campus/supplemental activities. If donations are deficient, tournaments, festivals and coaching must get scaled back, and students lose performance opportunities they’ve worked hard to earn! Expenses cannot exceed income, making donation requests and fundraising a year-round reality.
Donations to support SMHS music & color guard are only accepted during program enrollment, if I miss that time, then I’ve missed the opportunity to support this amazing program.
Not true. Donations are accepted year-round and for any amount. Donors can even opt to arrange a monthly donation subscription via PayPal so that you are providing on-going support for the full program year. Donors may also consider becoming members of the Knight Circle.
Championships expenses and travel are paid by SMHS (or SMUSD).
FACT: Not true. For 2015, the cost of getting 261 Knight Regiment members and staff to Western Bands Association competition in Fresno, was approximate $300/student. The full cost of transportation, lodging, and entry fees was raised by students and Boosters for KR to participate.