John P. Sousa Award Recipient Alex Schneider
Louis Armstrong Recipient Lila Balding
Choir Teacher ​Mr. Warren Weitkamp

On Monday, May 25th, a bugler and a chamber ensemble (clarinet trio) performs at the Noble Memorial Day Ceremony. The Symphonic Band, the Honors Wind Ensemble, & the drumline all performing at the Olney Memorial Day parade and ceremonies.

Here are the details regarding the Noble and Olney Memorial Day Parade Ceremonies:

NOBLE: The Cornerstone Community Church and the Mayor of Noble hosts a Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery in East Noble. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the Cornerstone Community Church (160 E. Elm St. Noble, IL). Immediately after the Noble ceremony, the quintet and bugler will join the band at the Olney VFW.

OLNEY: The VFW is hosting a Memorial Day parade and ceremony. The parade will begin at the Olney VFW. The ceremony will take place immediately after the conclusion of the parade at Haven Hill Cemetery (just north of the City Park). In the event of rain, the ceremony shall be held in the VFW hall.

The uniform is khaki shorts, black polo shirts, black socks, belt (preferably black), and either Drillmaster shoes or CrossOver shoes. Students will also need flip folders, lyres, and instruments.

The times are as follows:
Cornerstone Community Church at the Cemetery in East Noble

8:30 AM: Call-time for bugler and clarinet trio at RCHS
8:35 AM: Change into performance attire, warm-up and run through music
9:05 AM: Bugler & quartet leaves for Noble Cemetery in a school van
9:30 AM: Bugler & quartet arrive at the cemetery in East Noble.
10:00 AM: Noble Ceremony (bugler & quartet only)
IMMEDIATELY AFTER GOD BLESS AMERICA & TAPS: Return to Olney and join the band at the Olney VFW.

9:30 AM: Call-time at RCHS (all but bugler & chamber ensemble)
10:00 AM: Load bus and depart for Olney VFW followed by Haven Hill Cemetery
10:15 AM: Parade line-up at the Olney VFW or at the cemetery (based on time)
10:45 AM: Parade step-off (parade begins)
11:00 AM: Olney Memorial Day ceremony at Haven Hill Cemetery.

I anticipate the parade and the ceremony won't last longer than an hour and a half, which will put the band back at the school around 12-12:30 PM.

The band is performing the following songs:
TAPS (Noble ceremony only)
​God Bless America (Noble ceremony only)
Hosts of Freedom
Star Spangled Banner

Not required for this ceremony:
Army
Marines
Navy
Coast Guard
Air Force
Merchant Marines

Please bring water with you to this event. I encourage students to bring a water canteen. Canteens/coolers need to go on the bus. Please drink plenty of water!

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

2026 RCHS Graduation Ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 17th from 3-5 pm in the Ron Herrin Gym. The call-time for graduation is 2 pm in the rehearsal hall.  This performance features the Honors Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band. The attire for the venue is concert black-and-white (tuxedos and concert dresses). All students, except for seniors, are expected to attend.

Good afternoon, RCHS Bands,
I have great news! Mr. Fox is transferring funds to the band program to help offset this year’s class fee. As a result, the fee has been reduced by $100 per student.

• The marching band class fee is now $100
  
• The sibling rate is now $50 for families with multiple students enrolled in the 2026 RCHS Marching Tigers
  
  

The fee is due May 15. Payments may be made by check (payable to RCHS Bands) or by debit/credit card for those with a CutTime account. While we prefer not to accept cash, it will be accepted if necessary. Please place cash in a sealed envelope with the student’s full name clearly labeled and deposit it in the RCHS Bands drop box outside the music office (Room 153A).

I also strongly encourage all students to apply for the Olney Music Boosters scholarship. Applications must be completed by the student using a personal email address (not an rccu1.net account). This scholarship could further reduce your class fee. The application window is open now through May 4 at 5:00 p.m. Don’t wait to apply! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pIE18Do2cavKh4m2EvvjubeCg3ut3T3MP85ydPd4wMw/edit?usp=sharing_eil&ts=69e7477a​

Thank you, and please reach out with any questions.

​The Richland County High School Honors Wind Chamber Ensemble performed at Mt. Vernon High School on Saturday, April 18, 2026, as part of the IHSA Music Organizational Contest. This contest is designed for choirs, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and concert bands to perform for adjudication before a panel of three music educators.

The Honors Wind Chamber Ensemble performed Appalachian Counterpoint by David R. Gillingham, Sleep by Eric Whitacre, and Florentiner March by Julius Fucik, arranged by Frederick Fennell. The ensemble received a Superior Rating (Division I) for their performance.

Pictured from left to right:

First row: Mr. Christopher Jones, Emma Meadows, Hadley Heath, Emma Gilreath, and Sophie Combs.

Second row: Joshua Ochs, Tyler Longbons, Brooklyn Ferguson, and Callista Ridgely.

Third row: Maddison Syers, Logan Kutz, Naleigha Harrison, Lila Balding, Jordi Mendoza, and Alex Schneider.

Fourth row: Kinsley de Jong, Jereme Higginbotham, and Conner Akers.

Not pictured: Camden Poland.

The RCHS Honors Wind Chamber Ensemble performs at the IHSA Organizational Music Contest on Saturday, April 18th. Performance attire is concert black-and-white (tuxes or dresses) that were issued out to the students at the beginning of the second term. Parents may sign out their sons & daughters following the performance that morning in the assigned homeroom.

Food and drinks are available in the cafeteria. Students may purchase food and drinks after performances.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

IHSA Organizational Contest Itinerary
6:30 AM.........................Call-time at RCHS
6:31-6:49 AM................Change into black-and-white concert attire
6:40 AM...............................Buses arrive at the RCHS circle drive
6:50-8:19 AM................Travel to Mt. Vernon High School
8:20-8:49 AM.................Check into home room and restroom break
8:50-8:59 AM.................Move to the warm-up area
9:00-9:24 PM............Honors Wind Chamber Ensemble warm-up
9:25-9:29 PM............Move to the performance venue
9:30-9:55 PM....................Honors Wind Chamber Ensemble performance
10:00-12:00 PM................Pack bus, travel to RCHS, unpack, and dismiss! (est. time)

CONTEST ADDRESS: Mt. Vernon High School is located at 11101 N. Wells Bypass in Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions at [email protected], or 618-393-2191 ext. 3157.

Click HERE for the full schedule. 

Click HERE for more details. 

On Monday, May 25th, a bugler and a chamber ensemble performs at the Noble Memorial Day Ceremony. The Symphonic Band, the Honors Wind Ensemble, & the drumline all performing at the Olney & Noble Memorial Day parade and ceremonies.

Here are the details regarding the Noble and Olney Memorial Day Parade Ceremonies:

NOBLE: The Cornerstone Community Church and the Mayor of Noble hosts a Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery in East Noble. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the Cornerstone Community Church (160 E. Elm St. Noble, IL). Immediately after the Noble ceremony, the quintet and bugler will join the band at the Olney VFW.

OLNEY: The VFW is hosting a Memorial Day parade and ceremony. The parade will begin at the Olney VFW. The ceremony will take place immediately after the conclusion of the parade at Haven Hill Cemetery (just north of the City Park). In the event of rain, the ceremony shall be held in the VFW hall.

The uniform is khaki shorts, black polo shirts, black socks, belt (preferably black), and either Drillmaster shoes or CrossOver shoes. Students will also need flip folders, lyres, and instruments.

The times are as follows:
Cornerstone Community Church at the Cemetery in East Noble

8:30 AM: Call-time for bugler and trombone quartet at RCHS
8:35 AM: Change into performance attire, warm-up and run through music
9:05 AM: Bugler & quartet leaves for Noble Cemetery in a school van
9:30 AM: Bugler & quartet arrive at the cemetery in East Noble.
10:00 AM: Noble Ceremony (bugler & quartet only)
IMMEDIATELY AFTER GOD BLESS AMERICA & TAPS: Return to Olney and join the band at the Olney VFW.

9:30 AM: Call-time at RCHS (all but bugler & trombone quartet)
10:00 AM: Load bus and depart for Olney VFW followed by Haven Hill Cemetery
10:15 AM: Parade line-up at the Olney VFW or at the cemetery (based on time)
10:45 AM: Parade step-off (parade begins)
11:00 AM: Olney Memorial Day ceremony at Haven Hill Cemetery.

I anticipate the parade and the ceremony won't last longer than an hour and a half, which will put the band back at the school around 12-12:30 PM.

The band is performing the following songs:
TAPS (Noble ceremony only)
​God Bless America (Noble ceremony only)
Hosts of Freedom
Star Spangled Banner
Army
Marines
Navy
Coast Guard
Air Force
Merchant Marines

Please bring water with you to this event. I encourage students to bring a water canteen. Canteens/coolers need to go on the bus. Please drink plenty of water!

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

PLEASE NOTE: Individual performance times, and the student-worker schedule will post at a later date. Please check back the week before the concert.