McLean Highlander Band 2025 Tag Day Fundraiser

Over 200 dedicated McLean High Band (MHS) students and members of the Color Guard will be out in the community on Saturday, September 6th 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 Group 5 Open State Championship honors and won all captions during the USBands 2024 Competition at Stevenson University in Maryland. This past spring, the top level Symphonic Band was awarded Best Overall Band, along with several additional honors, at the Festivals of Music Competition in Myrtle Beach, SC.

“It’s a big commitment to be in the band,” said Weise, who has been the MHS Band Director for seventeen 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 four years and board member for seven, 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/fundraising/tag-day.

About the McLean Highlander Band
The McLean High School (MHS) Band Program provides a vibrant, award-winning, musical experience for students and audiences alike. Supported by a talented and dedicated staff and parents' organization, the MHS Band Program provides students multiple venues to grow in their musicianship and leadership while making lifelong friendships along the way. The program is committed to the achievement of musical excellence in all areas and at all levels of performance. For a list of upcoming events and concerts, please visit the band’s website at https://www.mcleanband.org/.