2021 RCHS Graduation Ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 30th from 3-5 pm in the stadium. 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 "Sunday best" clothes. No jeans, shorts, tennis shoes, t-shirts, etc., please. All students, except for seniors, are expected to attend.

Good afternoon, RCHS Bands friends, family, and students.

On Monday, May 31st, the Symphonic Band, the Honors Wind Ensemble, & the Color Guard are all performing at the Olney Memorial Day parade and ceremony.

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

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). Drum majors Garrett Wright & Kali Hinterscher are directing. In the event of rain, the ceremony shall be held in the VFW hall.

The uniform is department shirts & shorts, black socks, and Drillmasters. Students will also need flip folders, lyres, and instruments.

9:30 AM: Call-time at RCHS (all but bugler & saxophone quintet)
10:15 AM: Load bus and depart for Olney VFW followed by Haven Hill Cemetery
10:30 AM: Parade line-up at the Olney VFW
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:
Hosts of Freedom
Star Spangled Banner
Army
Navy
Marines
Coast Guard
Air Force
Merchant Marines

Please bring water with you to this event. I encourage students to bring a water cooler. 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 is around 45 students during the 4th term. We want to support the cities of Olney & Noble (and our veterans) that support us. Students, please make every effort to be at this event. It means a lot to this community. This performance is a graded event.

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


Best,
Mr. Jones

The ILMEA District 5 holds auditions for 2021-2022 District 5 ensembles on Monday, November 11th, 2021 at Effingham High School.  Only select senior high school band members are participating. The departure time is 6:30 AM behind the band room, (circle drive). The return time for the bus is estimated to be around 4 PM. High school students may travel back on the RCMS bus. That bus will does not stop for lunch, and will return to the middle school before 1 pm.

Students are encouraged to bring a cell phone so that they may call a parent upon returning to the school. Students are also encouraged to bring money or a sack lunch, as the bus will stop for lunch before returning back to Olney. To best represent our school and our community, students are expected to wear appropriate dress clothes to the event. Should you have any questions regarding what is appropriate, please contact Mr. Jones or Mr. Weitkamp.

If you are permitting your student to attend the field trip, please sign the form and return as soon as possible.  

Please feel free to call or email me should you have any questions. My contact information is in the header.

Ladies & gentlemen, the Oblong Spooktacular Parade is right around the corner! This is your chance to dress up in your favorite Halloween garb. The parade is hosted in Oblong, IL on Saturday, October 30th, 2021.

The schedule for the Spooktacular Parade is as follows:

4:30 PM.........................................Call-time at RCHS
4:35 PM.........................................Load equipment
5:05 PM.........................................Buses arrive at exit 21
5:15 PM.........................................Depart for Oblong, IL
6:00 PM.........................................Parade line-up
7:00 PM.........................................Parade step-off
11:00 PM.......................................Estimated return time to RCHS


Parade Route
The Oblong Spooktacular Parade will follow the same parade route as previous years.  The parade will begin at the Oblong City Park, travel west on Main Street (IL Rt. 33) through town, and end at the west end of town by the Oblong Elementary School.  The bands will turn south (left) on Jefferson Street , go 2 blocks, turn east (left) , travel 2 blocks to Adams – turn south (right) on Adams and continue to the Oblong High School. 
 
Concessions at Park
There will be concessions available at the Oblong City Park since there can be a long wait to march.  Debbie’s concession trailer will be there, as well as the local 4-H club, with a variety of foods available.
 
Parade Line-up
Parade bands will need to be at the Oblong City Park no later than 6:00pm for line-up, Also there is no entrance to the park from Main Street.  When arriving in Oblong, either from the east or west, turn north on Taylor Street and go all the way to the end of Taylor.  This brings you to Wisconsin Street, where you will turn east (right) and follow the road around the Oblong Lake. 
 
The buses and equipment trailers will be directed to the high school after unloading. The band will meet up with the buses at the high school following the parade.
            
Post-Parade / Awards
When arriving back at the Oblong High School, the pavilion and concession area will be serving hot food, popcorn, candy and drinks.  A DJ will be there to play music, and students are welcome to dance on the football field.  Please ask your bands to use the trash and recycle containers located around the school grounds.  There will be portable toilets available in the school parking area, and limited indoor restrooms are available at the southeast corner of the school.