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Uniform Policy
The word "uniform" means that everyone will look the same. Each individual represents the entire group. When wearing your choir uniform, wear the entire uniform unless instructed.
When we travel via bus, the guys may take their tux jackets off and carefully hold them. When we arrive though, we put EVERYTHING on and look like we are walking on stage when we walk off the bus. You might unzip your robes or again, remove your jacket when in a hot warm-up room and put them on before going on stage.
It is never proper to be seen in public wearing your uniform in any way other than that in which it was intended. Whenever we are at a performance event, we are "on stage" whether we are performing or not.
Students must have all uniform parts clean and presentable at all times. If you appear with wrinkled, soiled or an incomplete uniform, you may not be able to perform and your grade will be affected. Please note the uniform deposit and uniform contract forms for more details regarding your uniforms and their care.
1. Jewelry - A finger ring is OK. A Nose, tongue, eyebrow, or other body piercing which can be seen when in uniform is NOT OK for performance.
2. Hair - Your hair must be back and up for performance, so the neck is bare, using a plain black hair band or a brown or black barrette. Whispies or bangs that cover the eyes are not acceptable. No headbands, flowers, scrunchies, butterflies, stars, ribbons and other kinds of 'cute' hair ornaments.
Your hair must be neat and out of your face. This goes for GIRLS and GUYS. Bangs do not work for singers...so if you wear full bangs that cover up your forehead, please plan on getting them off your forehead when we perform. It's a fact: if the audience can't see your eyes and forehead while you are singing, you just don't communicate as well! This is not an issue of discussion. It's a fact, here at this school. Thanks for your understanding and for your creative ways in taking care of this possible problem.
I would like to request non-brilliant color hair dye as well. Blue is a pretty nice color, but not when seen by a judge or audience member. It draws attention to that person for their hair color and not their musicianship. I hope this makes sense.
It is not the intention of the choral program to prohibit anyone from being in choir because they cannot afford parts of their uniform. It is hoped that the items to be furnished by the student are readily available or easily purchased, however, if there is a hardship, it is your responsibility to contact the director as soon as possible and we will discuss our options.
All Women in All Choirs
The school will provide:
1. Formal Gown (instructions will be given out for alteration)
Cantus Femina ladies will need to purchase an inexpensive necklace ($5). This will be discussed during class.
You will provide:
1. Concert Choir and Chamber Singers: Skin-colored nylons (not tights). (The color is called “nude”) Cantus Femina: Jet Black Nylons
2. Black dress shoes with a closed toe and a 1-2 inch heel. Shoes that have white stitching, glitter, flowers or other embellishments are not acceptable. ($15 at Payless)
All Men in All Choirs
The school will provide:
1. Tux Jacket
Tux slacks (instructions will be given out for alteration).
Tux Shirts
Bow Ties
Cumber bund or vest
You will provide:
2. Black Tux shoes. Black tennis shoes, shoes with white or colored stitching, and black boots are not acceptable. They do not have to be shiny black shoes, but clearly dress shoes, not to be worn everyday.
3. Black socks. Of course, no white socks are allowed, ever, at all, when in uniform!!
Choir Uniform Hemming and Alterations:
RULE 1: DO NOT DAMAGE THE FABRIC
DO NOT use pins or tape (including fusing web) or glues of any kind as holes can result or a residue which damages the fabric or is extremely tedious to remove.
DO NOT sew stitches (machine or by hand) that are so closely together the fabric is damaged in their removal when the uniform is turned in at the end of the school year or sew repeatedly in the same spot, which puts holes in the fabric.
RULE 2: UNIFORMITY
Ladies gowns should be measured for hemming while the student is wearing the shoes they will wear at the concert. The bottom edge of the dress should be 2" from the floor when wearing shoes...the shoes worn while performing.
Men's pants should come to the top of the heel. (where the heel joins the rest of the shoe).
Please use thread that matches the fabric as closely as possible. i.e. not blue on black.
If the dress or pants need to be shortened more than 3-4 inches, fold over the hem to several thicknesses. No matter what, DO NOT CUT the fabric.
The trick to sewing the ladies gowns is to use the least number of stitches possible without leaving so much space between stitches that a heel can catch in the gap and rip a hole.
The idea is for your audience to have their full attention on your singing and not be distracted by the glint of pins, the too short dress, or obviously uneven hem. It shows you care.
Your uniform needs hemming, but:
You can't use pins. . .You can't use tape. . . Your Mom is not available. . . Your Mom doesn't know how to do it either. . . You should start NOW looking to see who can do this for you. It might even be a local, inexpensive tailor. | 
