The McAllen High School Band has a long standing tradition of excellence. In the 60′s, under the direction of L.M. Snavely, the McHi band was selected as the Texas TMEA 4-A Honor Band.  L.M. Snavely left McAllen to pursue his doctorate in music at Baylor University and then went on to become the Director of Bands at the University of Mississippi and then Notre Dame University.

During the 70′s, the McHi band continued a string of Sweepstakes Awards with Gary Zook as head band director. One of the next band directors was Dr. Paul Mann.  Dr. Mann become the first Supervisor of Music for McAllen ISD.  In 1981, when he was promoted to this position, Darrell Anderson became the Director of Bands.

During Mr. Anderson’s time at McHi the band performed opening day at the World’s Fair in New Orleans in 1983, Texas State UIL Marching Contest, Area Marching Contest, Florida’s Disney World five times and won the New Orleans Ovation Band Festival in 2001.   Mr. Anderson, after directing the McHi band for 19 years, retired in 2002.

Beginning in the fall of 2002, Jim Egger became the Director of Bands at McAllen High School.  The McHi Band has continued it’s excellence.  The McHi Band won the Area G UIL Marching Contest prelims in 2004 and advanced to the UIL State Marching Contest.  The band has won several contests over the last few years and continues to receive Superior and Sweepstakes ratings year after year.  The McAllen High School Wind Ensemble has also been the TMEA Region 15 honor band representative.

The McHi band continues to grow and make music with a very bright future.  There is NO family like the McHi Band family!

If you are a member of a McAllen middle school band program and will be attending McAllen High School, we would love for you to become a part of the McHi tradition. Band activities begin in late July. For more information, contact the band office at (956) 632-3170