On Monday, May 30th, the Symphonic Band, the & Honors Wind Ensemble are performing at the Olney Memorial Day parade and ceremony. Members of the color guard are welcome to participate in the parade.

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.

2022 RCHS Graduation Ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 22nd 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.

RCHS Music Department friends, family, and students. My name is Christopher Jones, director of bands at Richland County High School with details pertaining to the 2023 Disney World & Cocoa Beach trip.

For those that did not attend the Disney World & Cocoa Beach meeting in the Fall, please make sure to review the video on the RCHS Bands homepage (https://www.rchsbands.net/). You may also find the link to those that have already submitted an RSVP for the trip by clicking HERE.

The first payment for the trip is scheduled for April 29th, 2022.  All payments will be handled by Bob Rodgers Travel, so we ask that parents & guardians create an account on the Bob Rodgers Travel payment system by Friday, April 15th, 2022. Please visit https://bobrogerstravel.com/payment-system/ for more details. The group code is RICHLAND7540.

Payments for the trip are spread out over seven months. The payment schedule is as follows:

• April 29
• June 24
• August 19
• October 14
• December 2
• February 3
• April 7

Payments are 1/7th of the total charge, except for the last payment. The payment on April 7th will need to cover the remaining balance.

The trip prices vary depending on the package that you select (the greatest factor that influence the trip cost is the occupancy number per room). The trip packages are as follows:

• Quad (4) occupancy rooms per person = $1,165.00
• Triple (3) occupancy rooms per person = $1,225.00
• Double (2) occupancy rooms per person = $1,285.00
• Single (1) occupancy rooms per person = $1,525.00

The hotel in which we are staying is the Holiday Inn Resort on 13351 FL-535 Orlando, FL 32821. We were going to stay at the Buena Vista Suites, but their rates have been raised since our last stay in Florida.

Please note that students may not reserve a single occupancy room. Only adults may reserve a room to themselves. Should you wish to add trip insurance (reimbursement should the trip be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances), include the following into the prices listed above:

• Enhanced insurance plan = 7.02% on top of the trip package rates listed above
• Standard insurance plan = 4.55% on top of the trip package rates listed above
• You are not required to purchase trip insurance
• https://bobrogerstravel.com/trip-assurance/

As always, please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. I may be reached at cjones@rccu1.net, or by calling (618) 393-2191 ext. 3153.

The following students are participating in the Millikin University Low Brass Day: Ari Henby & Wyatt Baker. The students have been instructed to talk to their teachers regarding missed lectures, homework, quizzes, and tests.

Schedule
All events in Kaeuper Hall

6:15 a.m. - Call-time at RCHS for select students

6:25 a.m. - Depart for Decatur, IL

8:45 a.m. - Estimated arrival at Millikin University

9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Group Warm-up with Ryan Christianson

10:00 – Low Brass Ensemble rehearsals with Dr. Gary Shaw - Millikin University; Dr. Will Porter - Eastern Illinois University and Tim Schachtschneider - Millikin University  -  Locations to be announced

11:00 – Jazz Clinic with Ryan Christianson

11:45 – Lunch in the Millikin University Student Center

1:00 – Low Brass Ensemble rehearsal in Kaeuper Hall with Dr. Corey Seapy, Millikin University Director of Bands

2:00 – Guest Trombone Recital, Ryan Christianson, trombone and Tatiana Shustova, piano  - FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

3:00 – Final Recital featuring High School Ensemble, Eastern Illinois Trombone Quartet and the Millikin University Trombone Ensemble – FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

4:30 - Estimated departure time for Olney, IL

7:00 - Estimated arrival at RCHS

Please visit the Music Shoppe Display in the Lobby during breaks.

The RCHS Honors Wind Ensemble performs at the 2022 IHSA Organizational Contest on Saturday, April 9th. Performance attire is concert black-and-white (tuxes or dresses) that were issued out to the students at the beginning of the term. Parents may sign out their sons & daughters following the last RCHS 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
7:00 AM.......................Call-time at RCHS
7:05-7:25 AM...............Change into black-and-white concert attire
7:20 AM...........................Buses arrive at exit 22 at RCHS
7:30-9:00 AM................Travel to Centralia HS and settle into assigned homeroom

9:30-9:55 PM..................Honors Wind Ensemble warm-up
10:00-10:25 PM...............Honors Wind Ensemble performance
10:40-12:30 PM..............Pack bus, travel to RCHS, unpack, & dismiss! (est. time)

CONTEST ADDRESS: Centralia High School is located at 2100 E. Calumet St., Centralia, IL

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions at cjones@rccu1.net, or 393-2101 ext. 3153.

This band festival was formed to afford the students an opportunity to perform in a concert band consisting of only high school student-musicians of the Little Illini Conference, under the direction of a guest conductor. We are fortunate for the opportunity for the Symphonic Band to participate in the event. There are some that are unable to attend this year, and have elected to write a research project. Those students attending may be found at the bottom of this post.

The festival is held at Casey-Westfield High School on Thursday, March 10th, 2022. There is no cost associated with the Lincoln Trail Band Festival, aside from food money.

Buffet Lunch:  ($11.50/person) Chicken Strips, Pork BBQ, Oven Baked Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad/Bread Bar, Chocolate Cake, Cookies, Iced Tea, Lemonade

Dinner:  ($4.00/person) Casey’s Pizza, Soft Drinks


THE ITINERARY FOR THE DAY IS AS FOLLOWS:

7:20-7:30...........MEET AT RCHS

7:30......................DEPART FOR CASEY, IL

8:30–9:00...........ARRIVE AT CASEY-WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL (306 E Edgar Ave. Casey IL)

9:00–11:15.........REHEARSAL (Breaks will be taken at guest conductor’s discretion)

11:15–12:45.......LUNCH (Richard's Farm)

12:45–4:30..........REHEARSAL (Breaks will be taken at guest conductor’s discretion)

4:30-5:30..............DINNER (pizza and then change into concert attire)

5:30........................WARM-UP AND TUNE

6:00.......................CONCERT

7:30.......................DEPART FOR OLNEY, IL

9:00.......................ESTIMATED RETURN TIME TO RCHS


The concert is open to the public for $2.00 per person. Students may be signed out immediately after the concert.

Please feel free to contact me should there be any further questions at cjones@rccu1.net or at (618) 393-2191 ext. 3153.

BAND FESTIVAL ROSTER:
Wyatt Baker
James Benton
Ridge Davis
Paige Elder
Aidan Gomez
Arianna Henby
Madison Hinderliter
Kali Hinterscher
Carly Houchin
Evan Irvin
Brendan Kirkland
Evey Mason
Kyle Rennier
Addison Ridgely
Jase Rusk
Liam Ryden
Casey Schneider
Luke Seiler
John Slater
Az Tracy
Ethan Zuber
Isaac Zwilling
Victoria Zwilling

The IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest for 2022 is nearly upon us! I have not yet received the performance times and location for each entry for Saturday, March 5th. Once we receive the performance times from IHSA, you may find performance times & locations at the bottom of this email.

The day's itinerary is as follows:

7:50 AM - Meet in the RCHS Rehearsal Hall
8:00 AM - Depart for Lawrenceville, IL
8:25 AM - Estimated arrival at Lawrenceville High School
2:30 PM - Estimated departure from Lawrenceville for Olney
3:00 PM - Estimated return to RCHS

Students may sign-out with a guardian following performances. Please sign-out with Mr. Jones (band) or Mr. Weitkamp (choir) before leaving.

The address for Lawrence High School is 2200 James St, Lawrence, IL 62439.

Packing List: Performance attire (you do not have to wear the concert black-and-white attire, but dress attire is required), instrument, extra reeds, musical accessories, sheet music, lunch money.

We will not leave Lawrenceville High School until the event is over; however, students may buy lunch from Lawrenceville Band Boosters.

Performance Fees:
Accompanied solos = $20
Unaccompanied solos = $10
Duet = $9 (per student)
Trio = $8 (per student)
Quartet = $7 (per student)
Quintet = $6 (per student)

Each participating student is required to pay the performance fee. Students & parents may elect to use funds that have built up in the student's band activity account. If this is the case, payment will show $0 and the fee will be deducted from the account balance automatically. The due date for fees is March 1st. Please visit https://www.cuttime.net for and log in for balance and invoices.

A message from our athletic director, Coach Music:

"Tonight's basketball game vs. Flora is cancelled.  This game will not be made up due to IHSA quarterfinal games starting on Saturday.  We are going to hold a Senior Night/Community Night on Monday @ 7 pm in Ron Herrin Gym.  We will recognize our Senior Basketball Players and Cheerleaders.  We will also recognize the Girls Basketball Team on their season and the middle school program on their state run.  Lastly, the cheer team will perform their routine that night as well.  Please let me know if you have any questions regarding what we are planning for Monday night."

This clinic features Dr. Rebecca Johnson (flute), Ms. Natasha Keating (oboe), Ms. Annie Mason (bassoon), Dr. Magie Smith (clarinet), & Dr. Sam Fagaly (saxophone). The clinic will comprise of three parts:

1) performance from the faculty chamber ensemble
2) break-out sessions for each instrument
3) tour the EIU facilities

This clinic is a great opportunity for students to meet and learn from some of the best educators and musicians within the state. The trip is 100% voluntary. The students need to bring lunch money, best school clothes, & their instruments.

The schedule is as follows:

9:59 am (2nd block)...................Meet in the music commons
10:00 am...................................Depart for Charleston, IL
11:10 am...................................Lunch at El Rancherito
12:30 pm...................................Clinic in the Doudna Fine Arts Center
3:00 pm.....................................End of clinic & tour (estimated)
4:15 pm.....................................Arrive at RCHS & dismiss (estimated)

TRIP ROSTER: Evan Irvin, Ari Henby, Victoria Zwilling, Kyle Rennier, Riley Harrolle, Austin Vaughn, Evey Mason, Brendan Kirkland, Paige Elder, Kali Hinterscher, Carly Houchin, Wyatt Baker, &  Aidan Gomez.