Dallastown’s band program is getting a makeover next year with new uniforms for marching band and ditching the requirement of marching band.  

Dallastown marching band students have been donning the same uniform since 2008. Now it’s finally time for an upgrade.  

“Mr. Buer has been trying since he got the position of band director to get us new uniforms.It was just now officially approved by the board,” senior drum major Ashley Kenney explained. 

Because it is such a large purchase, the band had to go through a long process to achieve their goal. 

“We had to set up the design, and then the design had to be sent to the school board for approval. Our first design was approved, so now it’s in the process of being made,” Kenney explained.   

After getting the okay from the school the entire band had an input on the design that was picked. 

“I’m 100% on board with the design that was created,” Band Director Mr. Buer said. 

The new uniforms are an improvement for sure, but an expensive improvement! 

Each uniform cost $650, and with a total of 140 uniforms that will be $91 thousand. 

The expenses are worth it though, because the uniforms are unique to only Dallastown’s band. 

“Each part has a touch of someone’s input, including but not limited to my opinion,” Buer explained.

Everyone is excited about the new uniforms after wearing the same uniform for 14 years. Some things about the old uniform just missed the target. 

“The pants that we wore, which are called bibbers, they had weird padding. They were so weird to fit to your height. I felt like they were always way too big for me,” Kenney describes. 

Although the old uniforms have nostalgia stitched into them, which almost makes it hard to let go. 

“ I wore them all four years and my sister wore them when she was in highschool, and the memories in them,” Kenney reminisced. 

The new uniforms will be a big shift from the old ones.

“It is a big difference compared to the last design and I appreciate every little difference,” Buer said. 

The band decided on a design that has a completely different color scheme.

“ The new uniforms have less white, while our old uniforms were blue and white. 

We are transitioning to more of a black and royal blue with silver accents,” Kenney described. 

Even with the big changes made, sometimes the little things make the show. 

“There are very little details about it that make it look more sharp and clean, compared to our old uniforms,” Kenney explained.

After the long process the only thing left to worry about is the uniforms arriving. 

“It may turn out that receiving the uniforms on time may end up being the hardest part,” Buer speculated. 

Once the new uniforms arrive there is talk,but not certain yet, that the old uniforms will be transformed into pillows and sold. 

Next year Dallastown’s marching band will be serenading in style with their brand new uniforms.