So that members have no misconceptions as to the care and use of chorus costumes the Costume Team is publishing this list of well established Costume Policies. We have both CHORUS OWNED costumes and MEMBER OWNED costume pieces and accessories. For the MEMBER OWNED pieces, we develop a voluntary buy-back policy depending on the condition of the piece itself. For the most part, the chorus budgets to pay for costume material and patterns, but a member may be required to 1) purchase part of it; 2) sew it themselves or pay a seamstress to do so. They may also have to purchase their own footwear (to the chorus specifications) and other miscellaneous costume accessories.

COSTUME USE POLICY

The costumes listed as Chorus Owned are the property of the Twin Cities Show Chorus - any money paid toward those costumes is considered a Rental Fee and is NOT REFUNDABLE.

The Chorus Owned costumes ARE NOT TO BE WORN for anything other than performances scheduled by the chorus, even if they have not been in recent use. In most cases, the amount / kind / color of a costume is limited and needs to be presented in as good a condition as possible for future members, in the event that a member should leave the chorus.

COSTUME PERFORMANCE POLICY

All members must wear the complete costume specified for a particular performance unless previous arrangements have been made with the Costume Team. Failure to do so will prevent the member from participating in that performance, dependent on the discretion of the Costume Team.

COSTUME CARE POLICY

Costumes must be maintained according to care instructions, good personal hygiene, and respect for the items. This means that costumes must be kept clean and neat, carried [not worn] to and from performances (unless otherwise notified by the Costume Team), and stored in closed bags (clothing) and boxes (earrings). The bags must be closed to prevent loss of costume and the boxes are required to prevent damage of the earring backs.

The Costume Team reserves the right to schedule periodic costume checks to determine the fit and condition of all costumes. If there is any problem with an item (fit, damage, loss, etc.) the Costume Team may require a new purchase, exchange, or replacement of the item in question AT THE MEMBER'S EXPENSE. It is the member's responsibility to care for her costumes - please treat them well!

COSTUME RETURN POLICY

When a member leaves the chorus, the costumes listed as Chorus Owned will need to be returned to a member of the Costume Team on or before the final chorus rehearsal, unless special return arrangements are made ahead of time.

The Member Owned tuxedo shirt and Capezios (or alternate shoes) and the Optional items may be donated or sold back to the chorus (amount varies, depending on need and condition of item). Please see a member of the Costume Team to coordinate this, as a record of surplus costumes is kept for future distribution purposes.

The Costume Team appreciates your efforts to comply with the requested costume care policies. By all doing our part to respect them we help to keep our focus where it should be - ON THE MUSIC!

Thank You,

The Costume Team

T.C. Show Chorus member - please sign your name below and date it: