The RCHS Music Department participated in the 2024 IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest at Lawrenceville High School on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024. This festival is an opportunity for student-musicians from several member schools to perform for adjudication. Richland County High School had a strong showing with the following results:

BAND STUDENTS:
Division I (Superior Rating) = 10
Division II (Excellent Rating) = 1

CHOIR STUDENTS:
Division I (Superior Rating) = 3

The students that were rated Superior included Addison Ridgely, Callista Ridgely, Carly Houchin, Hadley Denton, James Benton (twice), Liam Ryden, Conner Akers, Jereme Higginbotham, Aidan Gomez, Ethan Zuber, Lila Balding, Jordi Mendoza, Emma Wells, Hadley Heath, Isaac Zwilling, Ethan Mehl, Wyatt Baker, Molly Fehrenbacher (twice), Cally Smith (twice), Jackson Williams,  Riley Harrolle, River Logan, and Sean Joyce. 

The students that were rated Excellent were Addison Ridgely (in addition to her Superior Rating for her duet)

Emma Wells was selected as Best in Class (deemed the best performers judged by their respective adjudicators of the day’s performances). A BIG congratulations to Ms. Wells!

On Monday, May 27th, a bugler and a chamber ensemble performs at the Noble Memorial Day Ceremony. The Symphonic Band, the Honors Wind Ensemble, & the drumline are 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, socks, belt (preferably black), and either Drillmaster shoes or tennis 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

[May not perform for 2024]
Army
Navy
Marines
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!

I know that this falls on Memorial Day weekend, falls during the summer, and many families will be out of town. That being said, we need as many RCHS Bands members to this performance as possible. All total, the combined Honors Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band are around 35 students during the 4th term. This is a record low for the band program! We want to support the cities of Olney & Noble (and our veterans) that support us. For us to do this, we need your help. Students, please make every effort to be at this event. It means a lot to this community.

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