Spectators at Douglas High's first football game of the season tonight will have more to watch than the Tigers' athletic performance.
Douglas High Music Director Bill Zabelsky reported Wednesday that band members will be donning brand new uniforms during their half-time performance.
"I would like to start a new trend," Zabelsky said.
He described the new uniforms as casual: black warm-up pants, white long-sleeved shirts, orange vests, and white baseball caps bearing orange "D"s.
Zabelsky said he discovered the new style while watching the Rose Bowl last year. He said University of Oregon band members (the Ducks) were sporting similar outfits, though in greens and yellows and blacks.
"I liked the style, researched it, and found the best company for us," he said.
Perhaps the best thing about the new uniforms, besides their cutting-edge appeal, is the price tag.
Replacing the old uniforms would cost a whopping $60,000-80,000, Zabelsky said.
"They're easily $500 a piece," he said.
In contrast, the new uniforms ring in at less than 10 percent of that cost. In crunching the numbers, Zabelsky wanted something affordable but with "a lasting effect."
"Hopefully, it's a new look, a trendsetter," he said. "We'll see what happens."
To finance the switch, members of the band and booster club have been selling $10 raffle tickets. A drawing for prizes is scheduled for half-time during the Carson-Douglas football game on Oct. 1.
The following day, the Pride of Carson Valley will travel to Reno for their first competition, the McQueen Extravaganza.
"We're starting to look pretty good," Zabelsky said. "We have a lot more new kids than expected, and they're rising to the occasion."
In band and pageantry, there are about 80-85 students, including a few middle-school musicians bumped up through auditions.
"I want to not only repeat what we've done, but to actually improve things," Zabelsky said. "At McQueen, we have to come firing out of the box, do the best we can right there."
As for the old uniforms, Zabelsky said the department will still use them in parade and concert performances.
"We're leaning towards using the new ones in the Nevada Day Parade," he said.
For more information about the Douglas High music program, visit www.douglasmusic.net.
Those interested in purchasing raffle tickets or donating prize items should e-mail GM38miller@aol.com or call (775) 691-7252.
