New band uniforms debut for NA school year

The North Allegheny marching band gets to show off a new look for the 2022-2023 school year.

Each member of the band in grades nine through 12 will sport the new uniforms. This includes all musicians, dance team members, majorettes, colorguards and band managers, according to Steve Baldanzi, the North Allegheny School District band director.

The uniforms replace ones that were more than 17 years old, according to information provided at a school board meeting in November 2021.

“We wear our uniforms for most public performances, including, but not limited to, parades, band festivals, football games, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association events, and more,” Baldanzi said.

Students do not take the uniforms home.

Before each event, students pick up their uniforms from the uniform room, which is staffed by parent volunteers. The uniforms are returned to the uniform room afterward, where they are organized by numbers and hung in order, according to Baldanzi.

The cost for band and colorguard uniforms with pregame flags/band banner was $178,384, approved by and paid by the school district.

The Band Patrons, a parent/student group for the NA band, paid for the dance and majorette uniforms, roughly another $18,000, Baldanzi said.

The district had set aside $180,000 for the uniform costs, according to a fiscal year 2021-2022 board report from April.

Fred J. Miller Inc., in Ohio, was the uniform design partner for the band, colorguard and banner designs. Varsity Spirit Fashions in Tennessee was the partner for the dance team and majorette uniforms, according to Baldanzi.

The school board will decide whether to donate or dispose of the old uniforms.