LMHS Uniform Policy

Every student in the LMHS Choirs must rent the LMHS choir uniform. Women will rent black dresses, and Men will rent tuxedos. New students must attend a uniform distribution night during the first few weeks of school for uniform fitting. Students who do not wear the required uniform to concerts will not be able to perform and will not pass choir. Students are expected to keep their uniforms clean, hung up in their garment bags, and in great condition. CLEAN uniforms and garment bags must be returned within 1 week of our last formal performance (typically district or state MPA, based on scores), or student will go onto the fine list for the full cost of the uniform.

Women will purchase the choir necklace for $6. They need to provide their own beige nylons and nice black shoes. No additional jewelry is allowed except for small earrings. Hair must be out of the face with no distracting hair pieces.

Women can machine wash their dresses. You must follow these 5 rules:

1. Wash in COLD water

2. Wash in GENTLE cycle

3. Wash dress BY ITSELF

4. Wash dress INSIDE OUT

5. Hang dry. DO NOT PUT IN DRYER.

Men will purchase the choir bow tie, cummerbund, and studs for $10. They need to provide their own undershirt, black socks and nice black shoes. No jewelry is allowed except for small earrings.

Men can machine wash ONLY THEIR TUX SHIRT. Men must have their tux coat and pants DRY-CLEANED at least twice during the school year to ensure they remain in good condition. Always hang uniform articles up after each performance to allow them to air out (let it air out before placing it back in the garment bag). Wearing a white undershirt and shorts under the tux will help keep it clean throughout the year. Men will be responsible for the cost of dry-cleaning their coat and pants.

If you choose to alter your own uniform, please follow these guidelines. NO ALTERATIONS BESIDES HEMMING MAY BE MADE. All uniforms must be uniformly hemmed. When measuring the uniform for alteration, wear the nice black shoes in which you will be performing. The uniform should rest lightly on the top of your shoes. If your shoes cannot be seen when you are standing, the uniform is too long. If you can see your ankles, your uniform is too short.

Use a “whip stitch” to hem. (A “how-to” video on the whip stitch can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9kGyZDWZcA) DO NOT CUT OFF THE EXTRA FABRIC! DO NOT GLUE THE FABRIC! Tuck the fabric under and then hem. Please be careful with any heat sources that you apply to the uniform as well. This uniform must be used over and over again, and all hems must come out for the next student to wear.