McLean High School Orchestra Parents Association  (MHSOPA)

What is MHSOPA?

Our students will have expenses as they participate in the orchestras during the school year. There are fees to participate in state mandated events such as Senior Regional Orchestra and VA All-State Orchestra, District 12 Senior District Orchestra and the District 12 Orchestra Festival. There are also fees for participation and transportation to the Spring Competition, new sheet music, equipment such as new instruments, professional sectional help and other expenses such as tux jackets for the gentlemen. We maintain a website and communicate with our orchestra families both electronically and through print. Very simply, we parents and students must provide our time and energy to raise the additional funds necessary to have our students participate in this wonderful program.

What is our mission?

Our mission is to support our students and orchestra director so that they will have a successful and enjoyable year. We organize social and fundraising activities, maintain communications, provide chaperones for trips, assist the orchestra director, maintain student accounts, and generally help in any way we can. We want to help our children and their orchestra classmates succeed in their efforts to become better musicians. It shows our students that we care about them. And we want all orchestra parents to be informed about what is happening in the musical life of our children.

Why do we have to raise funds?

Our students have expenses to participate in the orchestra. There are fees to participate in the local Festival competition, fees for participation in and transportation to the Spring Competition, new sheet music each year, equipment such as chairs, stands, instruments as well as replacement and repair of damaged instruments, professional sectional help and other expenses. We maintain a website and communicate with our orchestra families both electronically and through print. Very simply, we parents and students must provide our time and energy to raise the additional funds necessary to have our students participate in this wonderful program.

Our fundraisers are designed to support two main purposes: The activity fee and car washes cover departmental expenses; the profits from the student product fundraisers count 100% toward the students’ accounts for the spring competition trip.

What is MHSOPA’s role?

• Helping with uniform measurement and ordering
• Coordinating fundraising, including administration of product sales and setting up of car washes
• Providing and serving refreshments at concerts
• Special events such as 50th Anniversary Celebration
• Assisting the Director with administrative duties
• Providing chaperones for the Spring Competition Trip
• Providing communication to parents through print and internet media
• Maintaining liaison with school administration and PTSA