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Band & Marching

How to Run the Uniform Crew

You fit, hand out, collect, and care for the marching uniforms — bibbers, jackets, shakos, plumes, and gauntlets. Once you learn five pieces and a couple of care rules, you're the reason a hundred kids look like one band.

Level
A little practice
Time
Fittings ~2-3 hrs once; then ~30 min before & after each show
The five pieces
Bibbers, jacket, shako, plume, gauntlets
Bibber hem
Just touches top of shoe, no fold
Shako fit
Rests on tops of ears, no forehead showing
Crew size
6-8 per program

Quick start

  1. 1

    Learn the five-piece vocabulary first

    Bibbers (the bib overalls), jacket, shako (the tall hat), plume (the feather), and gauntlets (forearm cuffs). That's the whole uniform.

  2. 2

    Fit bibbers from the shoulder straps

    Adjust the straps so the pant hem just touches the top of the shoe with no fold or bunch, then snap the hem in place.

  3. 3

    Set the shako to the ears

    Adjust the inside string so the hat rests on the tops of the ears with no forehead showing, then tighten the chin strap so it stays put while marching.

  4. 4

    Plumes in late, out fast

    Drop plumes into shakos right before students take the field, and pull them the moment they come off so they don't get crushed.

  5. 5

    Send every problem to you

    A ripped seam or a popped snap goes straight to the uniform table — you carry the spares and the sewing kit.

Watch first

Watch: how to wear and care for a marching band uniformWalks through bibbers, shako fit, plume, and gauntlets.

A marching uniform isn't one thing — it's a kit. The "bibbers" are the bib-style overalls, worn under a tailored jacket. On top sits the "shako," the tall stiff hat, crowned with a feather "plume." The forearms wear "gauntlets," the stiff cuffs. Your job is to fit those pieces to each student, hand them out on show day, collect them, and keep them in shape. Learn the five names and you're already most of the way there.

Bibbers
Bib overalls — hem just touches shoe; fold on the crease to store
Shako
Tall hat — sits on tops of ears, chin strap snug
Plume
Feather — in just before the field, out right after
Gauntlets
Forearm cuffs — ROLL them, never fold; store in the hat box
Storage
Garment bag left open to air; gloves & wristbands in the pouch
  • All plumes collected and back in the plume box
  • Bibbers folded on the crease and hung; gauntlets rolled in the hat box
  • Garment bags left open to air out; gloves & wristbands in the pouch
  • Any damage tagged and the spare-parts kit restocked
  • Uniform numbers reconciled — nothing missing

More resources

NFHS — high school music & marching resources

National governing body for high school music and marching activities.

Sources: NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) — marching/music activities; Herriman Bands & Council Rock North uniform care guides