Many school band programs have a uniform requirement for specific ensembles, which can consist of a mix of school-owned pieces (such as a marching band jacket) and items purchased by the musician like shoes or pants in a specific color. Musicians that experience sensitivity to light, fabric textures, or other sensory aversions may find that they have to adapt their band uniforms so that they can play their instrument comfortably without being hyper-aware of things like seams, rough fabric textures, bright lights, or other environmental triggers. Here is a list of ideas and strategies for adapting band uniforms for musicians with disabilities, including tips that I have personally used as a musician with low vision in various ensembles.
Choose layering items without seams
One of my friends has tactile defensiveness and gets distracted when wearing clothing that has a lot of seams or embroidery. Things like seam-free socks and undergarments can provide a comfortable base layer for band uniforms in any context, as can adding shirts or other items in preferred fabric types/compositions underneath band uniforms. For my friend, they prefer smooth athletic-style fabrics that they wear underneath their band uniform, while another friend prefers compression items that are tight against the skin.
Another strategy that a different friend has used is making their t-shirts for band “vintage soft” using a salt bath or fabric softener with tips they found on Pinterest. I have not tried any of these personally, but this really helped them feel more comfortable with wearing t-shirts for specific events because the fabric was less stiff.
Related links
- Clothing Shopping Tips For Sensory Processing Issues
- Disability and Classroom Accommodations For POTS
Make sure shoes are comfortable and provide traction
Shortly before a high school band performance, I realized that my new dress shoes didn’t provide much traction or support when I almost slipped in the hallway— thankfully, my instrument was okay and I grabbed onto a railing to prevent myself from falling. That said, all I could think about when getting on the stage was how much I disliked my shoes and that I hoped I wouldn’t fall again, along with how uncomfortable I was feeling. In another situation, I remember being frustrated over the fact I had trouble tying my own shoes, and that I had to ask a friend for help with the laces.
Some examples of ideas for adapting or selecting band shoes with sensory processing issues can include:
- Replacing shoe laces with athletic elastic laces that don’t require tying
- Choosing shoes that can support inserts or orthopedic pads and that have adequate traction for walking in various indoor/outdoor settings
- Purchasing shoes that are designed for standing for long periods of time or walking
- Avoiding heels or shoes that make a lot of noise when walking across different surfaces
Related links
Wear tinted glasses or sunglasses
I wear non-polarized tinted glasses every day to help with light sensitivity, which does not impact my ability to read backlit screens but that aren’t as dark as polarized sunglasses. If I am playing in a particularly bright venue, I will switch to wearing polarized sunglasses, but then I can’t see digital displays like my iPad very well due to the polarized lenses. Wearing some form of dark glasses has helped a lot with photophobia and sensitivity to bright lights, and I choose which glasses I wear based on how my music is displayed: I’ll use the non-polarized glasses when reading music from an iPad and the polarized sunglasses for reading music from my large print music binder.
RELATED LINKS
- How Tinted Glasses Help My Light Sensitivity
- Veronica’s Four Eyes: All About My Glasses For Low Vision
- My Large Print Music Binder
- Tips For Reading Music On An iPad With Low Vision
IF POSSIBLE, WEAR EARPLUGS OR NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES
I bring my earplugs with me to all of my pep band performances and occasionally wear them during rehearsals to block out noise that is behind me if needed. My pair of earplugs feel similar to traditional earbuds without wires, though one of my friends prefers to wear headphones that cover their ears as they are very sensitive to sound and have a disability accommodation to wear them. Since my hair covers my earbuds and I still have usable hearing, no one can tell I am wearing them.
RELATED LINKS
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
- What’s In My College Backpack As A Low Vision Student
- How To Create A Disability Services File
WEAR A LARGE HAT TO AVOID BRIGHT LIGHTS
For ensembles like pep band, jazz band, or smaller groups that encourage members to express their individuality, a hat can be both a stylish and functional option for minimizing the effect of overhead or environmental lighting. In my college pep band, I would wear a green hat with a large brim that helps protect my eyes from the lights, and can easily be pulled down to cover my eyes if needed. Some of my other friends would wear baseball caps or visors to keep overhead lights from getting in their eyes or aggravating their light sensitivity. Students should ensure that the hat matches their uniform and does not detract from the band’s overall appearance— the band director can be a great source for identifying potential options that will not be distracting.
For a friend that went to a college with a large marching band, musicians would wear specific marching hats when performing on the football field and remove the hats while playing in the stands. My friend would wear a different hat (like a baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat) while playing in the stands to help with blocking out surrounding lights.
RELATED LINKS
- How I Play In GMU Green Machine/Pep Band With Low Vision
- Marching Band and Low Vision
- Creating Audio Description For College Fight Song
Talk to the director about two-piece uniforms if needed
Some band programs require musicians to wear a one-piece uniform or concert dress that can be uncomfortable for musicians with sensory processing issues or aversions to fabric. In these situations, it may be helpful to have the musician ask the director about wearing a two-piece uniform such as a shirt/pants or shirt/skirt combination instead, which can make it easier to add comfortable layers or shoes as well as avoid restricting movement. One of my friends who wore a leg brace asked their director for a two-piece uniform because it was easier for them to move around when wearing pants, and another friend wore a two-piece uniform because the school owned dresses were extremely uncomfortable for them to wear.
Related links
An example of my pep band uniform adapted for sensory processing issues
Wondering what a sensory-friendly pep band uniform looks like? Every student wears jeans, a jersey, and a green t-shirt underneath, and my pep band uniform reminds a lot of people of Zoot the Muppet! Pep band students are expected to “personalize” their uniforms, so here is a description of the different components that I use for my pep band uniform:
- T-shirt in comfortable, non-scratchy fabric. I looked at the fabric composition before buying it and chose something similar to what I already owned and liked.
- Green hat with large brim that blocks out lights behind me.
- Prescription sunglasses.
- Shoes with elastic laces that provide good traction along with sensory-friendly socks.
- While they are not visible in the picture, I wear earplugs while playing at many performances that are covered by my hair/hat.
I avoid wearing any brand new items to pep band performances so that I don’t feel distracted by new or unfamiliar textures— I prefer to wear items somewhere else first so that I can get used to them.
More tips for adapting band uniforms for sensory processing issues
- For small performances, musicians may be expected to wear school spiritwear such as shirts, hoodies, or items in a specific color. I recommend choosing athletic fabrics or cotton fabrics that don’t have any embroidery or scratchy details, or layering these with other items— learn more at Clothing Shopping Tips For Sensory Processing Issues
- While this doesn’t relate to band uniforms directly, pep band/marching band musicians with sensory issues may benefit from having a known location where they can go decompress or get away from loud noises or bright lights if they need a break. Learn more at Quiet Places At School For Students With Visual Impairments
- Want more posts on including musicians with disabilities in band programs? Browse Arts and Music archives | Veroniiiica
Published June 1, 2020. Updated December 2024