The RCHS Bands proud to host the first annual Fright Night between the Main St. Trust Bank and Chilly Willy's Ice Cream's & Grill on Friday, October 30th. Children of all ages and sizes may attend the event in a drive-in theater setting. Admittance is free!

Students are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. The Olney Music Boosters hands will graciously pass out candy to those in their cars. The Marching Tigers will perform a selection of Halloween tunes & movie themes, while the big screen shows excerpts from the movies.

Show-times are 6:00-6:25, 6:30-6:55, & 7:00-7:25 pm. The report time for all RCHS Marching Tigers is 4:45 pm at the stadium.

Please keep this event safe for all participants. Spectators must stay in their cars during the performance. While accepting candy from the boosters, please wear a mask.

Hello, students!

Today was my first day back to RCHS since my surgery. I saw a lot of truly great things at today's rehearsal - especially since we have 78% less rehearsal time than on a normal year. Big shout out to Mr. Vaal and Mrs. Deimel for their leadership, and instruction!

As I see it, we have two major objectives this season: OBJECTIVE #1 - prepare the first movement (music and marching), & OBJECTIVE #2 - prepare for Fright Night on 10/30/20.

Fright Night is just for fun, and a way to give back to the community. Our patrons will stay in their cars, much like a drive up theater, which should make the experience safe for everyone. We will social distance, eear masks, and utilize the new bell covers. There will be three short performances covering the following times at Trust Bank on Main St. 6:00-6:20, 6:30-6:50, and 7:00-7:20. We will perform The Nightmare Before Christmas, Thriller, Avengers, Harry Potter, Ghostbusters, & Star Wars. The music does not have to be memorized, but it does have to be learned. At this point, I am not sure if we will have a video compilation to accompany the music. The music is coming to you soon.

As for Side Shows, Rides and Grant Entry, this is our only focus for a field performance for the 2020 season. As I said before, we only have 22% of practice time that we would normally enjoy. That is why we are focusing on just the first movement this season. For that matter, the drill is written very simply to make it attainable (While the music will stay the same for next year, the drill will be more difficult). You are also welcome to retake a test anytime.

That being said, we need you to practice the music with a metronome every single remote learning day. That equates to 3 hours and 24 minutes a week. There will be an occasional playing test to check your progress. I will hold you to the same standard for playing tests that the music judges at competitions would expect. This will only help us next year! Please make sure you are practicing.

TIPS FOR PRACTICING:
1. Don't forget about dynamics!
2. Always practice with a metronome
3. Practice slowly, with accuracy in mind. Gradually speed up the tempo
4. Practice regularly. Remember, remote days equal 3 hr. 24 min. a week
5. Don't forget about dynamics!

Keep pushing! You are doing great things!

Marching Tigers, in order to put the finishing touches on our 2020 field show, we will be adding a practice to the schedule.  The additional practice will be Saturday, October 10th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the RCHS softball field.  Remember that Saturday practices are mandatory and part of your grade.  Please make adjustments in your personal schedule to accommodate this extra rehearsal.

Here is the overview of where we are:

1. A single video audition YouTube link will be supplied by the nominating director into the Nomination Platform.

2. It will be the responsibility of the director to make sure that video audition contains all the audition components.

3. The video can be EITHER a one-take audition recording, where the student just starts the video and plays the entire audition straight through, OR a composite video where they have sliced together different component videos. The committee feels strongly that each component of the video (scales, triads, etudes, songs, excerpts, etc.) be unedited and language will be added to the instructions to make sure that is understood.

4. Instructional videos will be shared or created to assist students and directors who do not know how to splice difference videos together into one audition video.

5. Sample audition videos will be made to give those with questions a model for how it should look.

6. The committee feels strongly that we NOT specify technologies that must be used in this process. For example, we will not be telling participants what software they need to use to create these videos.

7. Sight-Reading will be eliminated for the 2020 Fall Festival Auditions.

8. Chorus Auditions will ONLY include the two state pieces this year.
​
9. Percussion auditions will be limited to the snare and mallet components. Those components can be recorded with what equipment the student has available - for example, snare drum practice pad and bell kit.

This will help you get started. Please let me know if you have any questions. This is a perfect opportunity for your students to audition if they never have before. Very little pressure and they get to record it as many times as they want!

I am trying hard to get all the students Chromebooks assigned at each spot.
​
Some of the students that are in Band/Off-campus/Tutoring, etc DO HAVE chromebooks assigned to them. Please tell these students that they should find their computer under their 1ST BLOCK TEACHER'S NAME. At most locations they are listed BAND/FLAG/OFF-CAMPUS. If they do not have a computer then we will get them assigned one.

There will be kids that switch location that do NOT have one assigned to them. I do not have time to go thru all their schedules.

All Chromebooks will be located in the Fellowship Hall at Immanuel. Anyone coming in 2nd block or late must report to the PIT (in Cherry) so all OFF-CAMPUS kids will need to come there to grab their books.

Students entering Old Elm (off Elm Street) will have computers in the Foyer in Old Elm.
Students entering Old Elm (from New Elm) will have computers in the Main Lobby of New Elm.
Students entering Cherry will have computers in the Pit.

Please let me know if you have questions.



--

Thanks!
Natalie Berry
Attendance Secretary

Richland County High School
618-393-2191 x 1

We are days away from the start of the fall semester at RCHS! As you are all aware, there are changes due to the pandemic and construction of the high school. The biggest change is to our rehearsal schedule and our performance schedule. For the performance schedule, please visit https://www.rchsbands.net/2020-2021-calendar.html.

The Marching Tigers have done a great job following the procedures set during camp by the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Plan for the Marching Tigers. It is now just part of our daily routine. We will continue to follow the Risk Mitigation Plan once the school year starts.We have also purchased bell covers for brass, lip plate covers for flutes, and masks.

Our schedule for the year has been substantially paired back. The band has been broken down into two groups (1A & 1B). Each group will meet on the practice field (either Mondays and Wednesdays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays). The days a group doesn't report to the practice field will be designated remote learning days. The focus on remote learning days are music, cadences, guard work, and visuals. For example, 1A meets on the field on Monday and Wednesday from 8:10-9:18am. 1A's remote days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Neither 1A or 1B will meet during early bird this season.

The full marching band will meet on three Saturdays, which are listed below. Two of those Saturdays we will have a visit from university directors. The third Saturday we record ourselves and we will send the recording to the Cavaliers for feedback from world renowned drum and bugle corps instructors. Please take a moment to review your schedule below:


GROUP 1A (Color Guard, Brass, Baritone Saxophones, & Drumline):

• Mondays & Wednesdays during 1st period
• Saturdays (September 5th, 12th, and October 17th) from 8:50am-12:20pm.  
• Additional color guard practice on Thursdays from 6:00-8:00pm
• Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays are remote learning with focus on individual preparation over Inside the Circle, music, cadences, and guard work.

GROUP 1B (Woodwinds, & Front Ensemble):

• Tuesdays & Thursdays during 1st period
• Saturdays (September 5th, 12th, and October 17th) from 8:50am-12:20pm.  
• Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays are remote learning with focus on individual preparation over Inside the Circle, music, cadences, and guard work.

Unfortunately, Mr. Jones is unable to join us the first few weeks of the term. He is recovering from thyroid cancer and he requires physical therapy. He hopes to join you sometime late September. In the interim, the band is in good hands with Mrs. Deimel, Mr. Vaal, & Mr. Tucker. Mr. Brickner may also be able to stop by from time-to-time.

I know there is a lot to digest here! Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. Just remember that this is just one season, and there is still a lot to be had!

RCHS Marching Tigers friends, families, and students, 

As many of you know, two big developments were unveiled yesterday, July 29th. The first was from Governor Pritzker pertaining to high school athletics in 2020-2021. The other was from the Richland County School District pertaining to the fall term, and potentially longer. 

The state of Illinois has grouped high school athletics into three categories: 1) high risk of transmission, 2) medium risk of transmission, & 3) low risk of transmission. Low risk sports (such as cross country, and golf) may continue their season unaltered. Sports deemed high risk of transmission (such as wrestling and football) have been postponed until the spring - likely hoping a vaccine is available at that time. The RCHS Marching Tigers is a class, which means that we are not able to move marching band to another term. That being said, the Symphonic Band and Honors Wind Ensemble may play in the stands during football games. We just won't be able to march a field show in the spring.

We knew this was a possibility, which is why we were planning on incorporating a Halloween Fright Night/Trunk-or-Treat performance, sessions with college marching band directors on the RCHS campus, and parades into our season. I should mention that there is always a possibility that parades may be cancelled for the season. We still believe there were plenty of musical opportunities available to students while maintaining the safest environment possible in a school setting. For that matter, a lighter performance schedule means that we can do more "out-of-the-box" activities that I believe the students will enjoy, and that will keep them musically engaged in a safe environment.  

In addition to Governor Pritzker's announcement, the Richland County School District also put out a notice. For the month of September, the high school will meet two days "on campus" with the remainder of the week designated as remote learning. I say "on campus" because classes will take place in churches and other venues until construction of the high school is complete. The marching band will meet in the stadium. This is still very doable! The show has already been written with less sets/pictures, but we will likely only work two movements of the field show this season. A rough-draft schedule of the first term may be found at the bottom of this post. Please keep in mind that the schedule may change. 

To top this off, I was informed a few days ago that I have papillary thyroid cancer. I am scheduled for surgery next week. The good news is that thyroid cancer is slow growing and very treatable; however, I will need at least two to three weeks to recover from the surgery. 

Taking into account all of these factors, the staff and I have decided to finish the week of camp and end camp after August 1st. That means that we will not meet during the portion of the camp that runs Monday, August 3rd to Friday, August 7th. We are also cancelling all summer practices. Practice won't resume until the first day of school on campus.

It is a bit of a bummer! None of us are happy that there are no competitions or halftime shows at games this year. With all that we have planned, I still believe the students will have a great time this term. They just don't have to work as hard for their P.E. credit this term! We will reuse the show next year, with modifications. Students who solos have solos or duets this year will keep them for the 2021 season. 

Winds & percussion, you still need your summer uniform (department shirt, shorts, and Drillmasters or CrossOvers). Guard members need jazz pants, dance shoes, and guard gloves. New members may find the clothing order form at https://forms.gle/ENfQxo7e74rBAgCJ7. The due date is Friday. You may also find the show attire under the order form. 

I reduced the class fee from $200 to $165 since the Marching Tigers did not spend preseason at Eastern Illinois University this year. Mrs. Deimel, Mr. Vaal, & Mr. Tucker will be with us the entire season. After August 1st, Mr. Brickner may join us on a rehearsal from time-to-time. Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Astriuski, Mr. Combs, & Mr. Downes will not be joining us this season, except for possibly an occasional master class on campus. Because they are not on staff this season, I plan on returning $42 of each student's band class fee. Please be patient with me! The $42 refund will sit in your son's/daughter's band student account for future use. That being said, if you prefer a check, please let me know. It may take a few weeks to cut checks, but I am happy to do so. Please contact me through Remind101 or by email at cjones@rccu1.net. 

We have just started the 2020 season and the members of the Marching Tigers have done a great job following the procedures set by the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Plan for the Marching Tigers. It is now just part of our daily routine. We will continue to follow the Risk Mitigation Plan once the school year starts. 

GROUP 1A (Color Guard, Brass, Drumline):

• Mondays & Wednesdays during early bird period and 1st period
• Saturdays (September 5th, 12th, and October 17th) from 8:50am-12:20pm.  
• Additional color guard practice on Thursdays from 6:00-8:00pm
• Possible drumline practice on Tuesday on campus from 8:00-9:00am
• Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays are remote learning with focus on individual preparation.

GROUP 1B (Woodwinds, & Front Ensemble):

• Tuesdays & Thursdays during early bird period and 1st period
• Saturdays (September 5th, 12th, and October 17th) from 8:50am-12:20pm.  
• Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays are remote learning with focus on individual preparation.

I know there is a lot to digest here! Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. Just remember that this is just one season, and there is still a lot to be had!

Best Regards,


Christopher N. Jones
Director of Bands & Music Teacher
F. +1 (555) 3911 2087
P. (618) 393-2191 ext. 3137
Web // www.rchsbands.net
A. 1200 E. Laurel St., Olney, IL 62450
...
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” - George Bernard Shaw