Over 200 dedicated McLean High Band (MHS) students and members of the Color Guard will be out in the community on Saturday, Sept. 7, canvassing neighborhoods and performing at local shopping centers while collecting donations during Tag Day. Tag Day, the program’s largest fundraising event, helps the band cover essential expenses that fall outside the Fairfax County Public School budget.
“The community is very generous to us and we’re grateful,” says Band Director, Chris Weise. “Tag Day has been going on for many years. The donations pay for instruction, equipment, new music, uniforms, and anything we need to operate.”
“Tag Day is an essential source of funding for our band program,” echoes MHS Band Parents Association President Jessi Powell. “While the administration at McLean High School is extremely supportive of the band program, and all of the arts, funding is limited.”
The one-day fundraiser also helps defray the cost of out-of-town trips the Marching Band, Stage Bands and Winter Guard take representing the McLean community with their award-winning performances. Last October, the Marching Band took home Class 5 Open State Championship honors during the USBands Competition at Stevenson University in Maryland. This past spring, the top level Symphonic Band was awarded Grand Champions at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gaitlinburg, TN.
“It’s a big commitment to be in the band,” said Weise, who has been the MHS Band Director for sixteen years. “And, it’s a key part of every musician's social network. We’re fortunate here because the kids are innately smart and talented. They are hard workers because they are brought up to be hard-working,” Weise added. “Anyone attending a performance will recognize that commitment immediately.”
Powell, who has served as Band Parents Association President for three years and board member for six, notes the band’s success is directly related to the support received from parents, students and the community at-large. “The funds we gather through Tag Day and the generous support of the community result in a connective and supportive band program that helps hundreds of McLean students thrive.”
For more information on the McLean Highlander Band or to make an online donation, visit https://www.mcleanband.org/
