FOR THE SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES & EVENTS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
FOR THE SPIRIT DAYS & TEAM BUILDING ACTIVES CALENDAR, CLICK HERE.
Unfortunately, due to costs associated with running a marching band, we have to charge a participation fee to join the Marching Tigers. The season fee is $100 For those families that have two or more students/siblings enrolled in the Marching Tigers, the fee is $50for each student (sibling). Cash is accepted, as is credit/debit through SkyWard. Checks are also accepted, and should be made out to "RCHS Bands". The class fee is due June 10 (unless other arrangements have been made). 

Fundraisers are available throughout the year to help offset the cost. Students that transfer from RCMS to RCHS are permitted to transfer their RCMS band accounts to their RCHS band accounts. Again, please make checks out to RCHS BANDS.

The cost for the following clothing items is not included in the class fee. However, as long as a clothing items listed below are in good condition, it may be used from year-to-year:

REQUIRED ITEMS:
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
Department shirt (long sleeve) - color guard, winds, and percussion
Department hoodie
Department ball cap

The black cotton gloves are included. $3 was also deducted from the color guard gloves. Students are not required to purchase new uniform parts each year as long, as these items are in good condition, with the exception of the department shirt. As of this July, the RCHS Marching Tigers are switching to a different department shirt design.

Winds and percussion may opt to purchase DSI CrossOver Marching Band Shoes. I recommend these shoes if a student has feet issues.

The total cost for a returning member is $200 (plus the cost of the department shirt) for the season, unless the student wishes to purchase new clothing items. The cost for new members is $200, plus the cost of clothing items listed above. Siblings that are enrolled in the RCHS Marching Tigers in the same season may deduct $50 from each of their financial obligations.

The cost of clothing items may be found on the online order form.


STUDENTS IN FALL SPORTS & MARCHING BAND:
We firmly believe that students should be allowed to participate in the marching band & other school activities. Many Marching Tigers are also involved in football, tennis, golf, cross country, dance, FFA, & other school activities.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
LOCATION: Richland County Performing Arts Center | Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • 2026 Marching Season Informational Meeting for parents/guardians and students from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
    • Discuss the upcoming season
    • Review class fee
    • Review uniform requirements
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
LOCATION: Music Commons & Band Room | Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • Drum major, field conductor, and cadre meeting at 8:30am
  • Equipment, uniform & music sign-out:
    • Color Guard from 9:00-10:30
    • Woodwinds from 10:30-12:00
    • Lunch from 12:00-12:30
    • Percussion from 12:30-2:00
    • Brass from 2:00-3:30

Thursday, June 11th, 2026 (make up date)
LOCATION: Music Commons & Band Room | Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • Equipment, uniform & music sign-out:
    • All Sections (those unable to attend the first meeting) from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 13th, 2026 (make up date)
LOCATION: Music Commons & Band Room | Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • Equipment, uniform & music sign-out:
    • All Sections (those unable to attend the first or second meeting) from 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Monday through Thursday, July 20th through July 23rd
​LOCATION: Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • Call-times at 9:00am on the practice field
  • Field rehearsal from 9:31-11:59
  • Dismiss at 12:00pm
  • This camp is for all 1st year marchers, & drumline, and student-leadership. However, all members of the Marching Tigers are welcome to join.

Monday through Friday, July 27th through July 31st
LOCATION: RCHS Practice Field & High School Building | Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • Student-leadership meeting at 7:30am
  • Staff meeting at 7:50am
  • Call-time at 8:00am in formation
  • Physical conditioning at 8:10-8:45
  • Marching fundamentals & drill from 9:00-11:59
  • Lunch from 12:00-12:59 (Bring a sack-lunch or money. Lunch not provided)
  • Honk! with Mr. Vaal from 1:00-1:30 (& Staff Meeting)
  • Section Rehearsals from 1:40-3:30
    • Flutes (room 123)
    • Clarinets (room 126)
    • Saxophones (room 124)
    • Trumpets (room 163)
    • Trombones with Mr. Downes (room 217)
    • Baritones and Sousaphones with Mr. Downes (room 217)
    • Drumline (room 155)
    • Front Ensemble (room 151)
    • Color Guard (aux gym)
  • Full ensemble music rehearsal from 3:45 -4:29 in the band room (front ensemble, drumline & color guard may break off)
  • Dismiss at 4:30

Saturday, August 1st
LOCATION: RCHS Practice Field & High School Building | Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • Student-leadership meeting at 7:30am
  • Staff meeting at 7:50am
  • Call-time at 8:00am in formation
  • Physical conditioning at 8:10-8:45
  • Marching fundamentals & drill from 9:00-11:59
  • Lunch from 12:00-12:59 (Bring a sack-lunch or money. Lunch not provided)
  • Honk! with Mr. Vaal from 1:00-1:30 (& Staff Meeting)
  • Section Rehearsals from 1:40-3:30
    • Flutes with Mrs. Allen (room 123)
    • Clarinets with Mrs. Ochs (room 126)
    • Saxophones with Mrs. Astrouski (room 124)
    • Trumpets with Mr. Jones (room 163)
    • Trombones with Mr. Downes (room 217)
    • Baritones and Sousaphones with Mr. Downes (room 217)
    • Drumline with Mr. Vaal (room 155)
    • Front Ensemble (room 151)
    • Color Guard with Ms. Coulter  (aux gym)
  • Full ensemble music rehearsal from 3:45 -4:29 in the band room (front ensemble, drumline & color guard may break off)
  • Dismiss at 4:30

Monday through Thursday, August 3rd through August 6th
LOCATION: RCHS Practice Field & High School Building | Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • Student-leadership meeting at 7:30am
  • Staff meeting at 7:50am
  • Call-time at 8:00am in formation
  • Physical conditioning at 8:10-8:45
  • Marching fundamentals & drill from 9:00-11:59
  • Lunch from 12:00-12:59 (Bring a sack-lunch or money. Lunch not provided)
  • Honk! with Mr. Vaal from 1:00-1:30 (& Staff Meeting)
  • Section Rehearsals from 1:40-3:30
    • Flutes with Mrs. Allen (room 123)
    • Clarinets with Mrs. Ochs (room 126)
    • Saxophones with Mrs. Astrouski (room 124)
    • Trumpets with Mr. Jones (room 163)
    • Trombones (room 217)
    • Baritones and Sousaphones (room 217)
    • Drumline with Mr. Vaal (stage)
    • Front Ensemble (room 151)
    • Color Guard with Ms. Coulter (aux gym)
  • Full ensemble music rehearsal from 3:45 -4:29 in the band room (front ensemble, drumline & color guard may break off)
  • Dismiss at 4:30

Friday, August 7th
LOCATION: Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • Call-time at 8:00am in formation
  • Marching fundamentals & drill from 8:01-11:29
  • Pickup department clothing in the Music Commons from 11:30-11:49
  • Extended break from 11:50-4:29
  • Call-time for the Parent-Preview is 5:00 in the Music Commons
  • Parent-Preview Performance at 6:00pm in the RCHS football/band practice field (Friends and family, we recommend that you bring a folding chair to the event)

We understand that there are athletic camps that may overlap with the first week of camp. We are happy to work with you. Please contact Mr. Jones at [email protected], or by calling (618) 393-2191 ext. 3153 if this is the case.


Tuesday, August 12th
​LOCATION: Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450
  • Call-time at 6:00pm in formation
  • Marching fundamentals & drill from 6:01-8:29pm
  • Dismiss at 8:30pm
Click HERE for Spirit Days & Team-Building (after practice) activities calendar.
​LOCATION: Richland County High School | 1200 E. Laurel St. Olney, IL 62450

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays
(7:00am - 9:15am is DRILL & MUSIC)
  • All members of the Marching Tigers: 7:00-9:12 AM

Tuesdays & Thursdays
(7:00am - 7:59am is MUSIC ONLY; 8:00am - 9:15am DRILL & MUSIC)
  • Winds & percussion only: 7:00-7:59 AM (no color guard)
  • All members of the Marching Tigers: 8:00-9:12 AM

Saturdays on August 16th, 23rd, & September 6th
(9:00am - 12:00pm is DRILL & MUSIC)
  • All members of the Marching Tigers: 9:00am-12:00pm


Drumline:  Rehearsals will occur before school during regularly scheduled practices, and on Mondays from 3:15-4:30 PM (minus those involved in afternoon athletic practices). Front Ensemble does not rehearse with the drumline on Monday afternoons.

Color Guard: Rehearsals for this section will occur on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 PM. Members of the Color Guard are excused from zero hour (7-8 AM) rehearsals on Tuesdays & Thursdays.

Front Ensemble (Pit): Rehearsals for this section will occur on two evenings to be announced at a later date. Members of the Front Ensemble are excused from zero hour (7-8 AM) rehearsals on Mondays through Thursdays.

REQUIRED CLOTHING FOR COMPETITIONS & PERFORMANCES:

WINDS & PERCUSSION:
Department shirt
Department shorts
Black, over the ankle, crew socks
Marching Band Shoes (black)

COLOR GUARD:
Department Shirt
Jazz Pants
Color Guard Shoes
Color Guard Gloves