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As a precautionary note, learn to make white ties from bathroom towels and black ties from gaffer's tape for when you forget to throw said ties in your garment bag for this evening's performance...

windshieldbug wrote:As a precautionary note, learn to make white ties from bathroom towels and black ties from gaffer's tape for when you forget to throw said ties in your garment bag for this evening's performance...

I've tried to make a habit of always having a spare in the pocket of my gig bag. It never hurts to have a spare!

When I was in high school, the formal dress were a closet of about a hundred old tuxedos of all sizes that were checked out to the students. They had zipper waist adjustments. Sure enough, the one concert I did not wear suspenders one of the zippers broke. I held it up with my hand holding my trumpet I was playing at the time, sat down carefully, and moved as little as possible. Only the person on either side of me knew. Standing ovations were interesting to say the least, but I covered (pun intended) well.

Moral of the story: ALWAYS wear suspenders, or if you prefer, call them braces, with formal wear.

To comment on the OP - I also ditch the vest or cummerbund for tuba, as much because I don't want the added elastic where I'm taking a deep breath, but you gave me a second reason to justify it if I'm ever called out for it. Thanks.