The brass core of the typical regiment band - called the choir - included a circular soprano sax-horn, a soprano sax-horn, an alto sax-horn, a leader, a tenor, bass and E-flat bass sax-horns. The 5th Michigan Regiment Band today carries thirteen sax-horns along with two fifes, one slide trombone and two basses. All instruments are originals or replicas. Formal dress is a slouch hat, a wool frock coat, and gloves. An officer's sash, a square belt buckle and epaulets denote the leader's rank.