The McLean High School (MHS) Band program provides a vibrant, award-winning, musically-superior experience for students and audiences alike. The program is committed to the achievement of musical excellence in all areas and at all levels of performance. The MHS Band has received international recognition for “Outstanding Musical Excellence” as demonstrated by selection for the Sudler Flag of Honor (2000); Bands of America Concert Band Festival performance (1995 and March, 2006); and the Midwest Clinic, International Band and Orchestra Conference (December 2006).
The band program has been part of the McLean High School experience since the school’s beginning in 1955. Following the arrival of Director James Kirchenbauer in 1982, the program has grown from a modest ensemble of 33 students and a single percussionist to a full spectrum of beginning, intermediate, and advanced musical opportunities. The extensive band program consists of a 90-member concert band, a 20-member percussion ensemble, over 20 dedicated Jazz Ensemble musicians, 120 marching band members to include 10 color guard, and the highly selective 70-member Symphonic band.
The McLean Symphonic Band provides an opportunity for a select group of advanced musicians to perform challenging, innovative music. Approximately 80 students are selected by audition each spring for the Symphonic Band. Symphonic band members are highly motivated musicians, studying with private teachers and frequently earning awards and scholarships in soloist competitions throughout the metropolitan Washington area. McLean HS Band students regularly contribute the largest number of students for District XII Honors Band, and many of these students successfully compete for top places in the All Virginia Honors Band. The Symphonic band has earned a Superior “I” rating in Virginia District XII Band Festival every year since 1995. The Symphonic Band also achieves highest honors in national competitive performance opportunities. Highlights of these honors include:
- Bands of America (BOA), National Concert Band Festival (non-competing performance, honor in selection), Chicago, IL (1995)
- 1st Place, North American Music Festival, Toronto, Canada; highest scoring band from 13 North American Musical Festivals (1996)
- Most Outstanding Concert Ensemble, Festival of Music, Boston, MA (1998)
- The Sudler Flag of Honor (2000)
- 3rd Place (of 37 bands), Music-Fest, Orlando, FL (2001)
- 1st Place, North American Music Festival, Toronto, Canada; highest scoring band from 15 North American Music Festivals (2002)
- Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Conference, Featured Band (2002)
- Festival of Music, Boston, MA (2004); Music Festival, Orlando, FL (2005)
- BOA National Concert Band Festival (non-competing performance, honor in selection), Indianapolis, IN (March 2006)
- The Midwest Clinic, Chicago, IL (December 2006)
The McLean Highlander Marching Band focuses on musical performance, challenging marching drills, drum line, pit percussion, and color guard. In keeping with McLean’s Scottish tradition, the marching band is further complemented by traditional Scottish bagpipes. Students from both Symphonic and Concert Band participate in the marching band program, earning a varsity letter for their contribution. In the past 10 years, the marching band has performed in numerous Bands of America (BOA) and United States Scholastic Band Association (USSBA) competitions, earning top awards for musicianship and presentation. Highlights of the marching band program include:
- USSBA Open Championships, Class IV, First Place; US Marine Corps Esprit de Corps award (2000)
- BOA Regional Championships, Class AA 3rd Place (2001)
- BOA Regional Championships, Class AA, 1st Place, Outstanding Music, General Effect (2002)
- USSBA Open Championships, Class V (2004 and 2005)
- Annual performance at the Scottish Walk, Alexandria, VA
The McLean Concert Band provides challenging music and performance opportunities for developing musicians. The band performs 4 concerts per year, in addition to District Festival and a Spring Trip for a competitive performance. The Concert Band consistently earns straight “I” (highest) ratings at District Festival, as well as top honors during the annual Spring Trip performance. The Concert Band typically performs at a level equivalent to many high school advanced bands, taking into account both the challenging musical repertoire and excellence of the presentation. Most Concert Band members also study with private instructors; Concert Band members also earn recognition in solo competitions and are selected by audition for District Band honors.
McLean’s Jazz Ensemble performs at school assemblies, local venues upon request, Jazz Night with the premier Jazz ensemble of the Air Force, the Airmen of Note, and have also performed at James Madison University. The Jazz Ensemble is cheered by students and parents alike and is regularly one of the most popular performances in the McLean Band Pyramid. In addition to performing as an integral part of all Symphonic and Concert Band concerts, the McLean Percussion Ensemble also provides its own unique musical offerings. The Percussion Ensemble performed at the prestigious BOA Festival in Indianapolis and regularly enthralls the audience at McLean concerts.