Two students from Richland County High School shall participate in the 2024 Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) All-State All-State Ensembles. ILMEA will host the event on January 25-27, 2023 in Peoria.

These students were selected from a rigorous audition process as the top student-musicians representing over 12,000 schools throughout Illinois. Of roughly 2,400 students that auditioned, only a fraction of students were selected to participate in the event. The two RCHS students selected to participate are Emma Wells (senior/senior band), & Aidan Gomez (senior/jazz band).

The Olney, IL Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 25th at 6:30 PM. The schedule for the combined Symphonic Band, and the Honors Wind Ensemble:

5:15 PM.............Meet at RCHS in department clothing (dress warm) & load
5:50 PM.............Walk from the school to parade line-up at the intersection of Scott St. & East St.

6:10 PM.............Set in parade block at parade location
6:30 PM.............Parade step-off
7:40-7:50 PM....Estimated return to RCHS

I recommend that all students layer up underneath to stay warm. We are in our full uniform, minus the shakoes and plumes. That being said, add holiday related items to the uniform, or at the very least wear lots of green and red!

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: Should the parade be cancelled, the ceremony will move indoors to the VFW hall. The new call-time is 10am in department shorts, shirts, black crew socks, and black marching band shoes.

The combined Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, the cologuard (for those that wish to perform) performs in the Olney Veterans Day Parade scheduled for Saturday, November 11th. We are performing in our marching band uniforms for this event. If you do not have a uniform, please contact Mr. Jones or Mrs. Deimel as soon as possible.

The itinerary for the day is as follows:

9:30 AM................Call-time in the rehearsal hall in show/division shirt, shorts & Drillmasters. You may wear sweat pants under the uniform; however, no jeans, please.

9:35 AM................Change into marching band uniforms.

10:00 AM..............Buses arrive at the circle drive at RCHS

10:10 AM..............Load the buses

10:20 AM..............Parade line-up at Trust Band

10:40 AM..............Parade step-off

• Host of Freedom (memorized)

11:00 AM..............Ceremony outside the Richland County Court House. In the event of rain, the event will take place in the VFW hall. You will need:

• Lyre
• Flip folder
• Armed Forces on Parade
• Heave Ho My Lads

12:00 PM.............Estimated return time to RCHS


SCRIPT FOR THE CEREMONY AT THE COURTHOUSE:

1. Preceremony Music (Hosts of Freedom)
2. Opening Remarks
3. Invocation
4. Introduction of VFW Commander
5. Empty Chair
6. Star Spangled Banner
7. Guest Speaker
8. Branch of Service Songs (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines)
9. 21-Gun Salute & TAPS
10. God Bless America
11. Benediction
12. Closing Remarks

We are excited to announce the third annual 8th Grade Band Night at the Richland County vs. Robinson football game at Richland County High School on Friday, October 20th. 8th Grade band students from St. Joseph Catholic School & Richland County Middle School are invited to perform in the stands with the high school band, and to watch the RCHS Marching Tigers perform the 2023 field show one last time! Interested students may contact Mr. Combs (RCMS), or Ms. Michels (St. Joe) for more details.

Uniform: St. Joe or RCMS school shirts (blue/white or orange/black), jeans, and tennis shoes. Marching Tigers wear the uniform. Dress warm! It will likely be cold!

Equipment: Your instrument

Music: provided by RCHS Bands to St. Joe & RCMS once names have been submitted
Time-Out Tunes
Your middle school time-out tunes!

5:15 pm.……….………….Call-time for all RCHS Marching Tigers members & change into uniform.

5:30 pm.………….……….Parents drop off 8th Grader students at the RCHS band room (RCHS entrance 21)

5:45 pm……………………Rehearse in the band room

6:45 pm…………………..Set parade block and march to the stadium. 8th Grade band students in the back of the parade block.

6:53 pm……………………Pre-game (Star-Spangled Banner, School Song, followed by the tunnel). 8th Grade Band students will watch from the stands.

7:00 pm……………………Game begins (stand-tunes & half-time show. 3rd quarter off for concessions)

Half-time Performance: The band will perform a selection of pep band tunes on the field.
8:15 pm……………………Estimated end to the half-time show. 8th Grade students are welcome to say for the remainder of the show, or depart after the half-time performance.

9:30 pm……………………Estimated end to the football game

Please feel free to bring money for concessions. The band takes a break over the 3rd quarter.

Parent Pick-Up: Parents may meet their students outside the band room after half-time, or after the conclusion of the game. The band room is located in the RCHS Circle Drive between the school and the stadium.

Please feel free to contact me for any further questions. I may be reached at (618) 393-2191 ext. 3153, or at cjones@rccu1.net.

Ladies & gentlemen, the Oblong Spooktacular Parade is right around the corner! The parade is hosted in Oblong, IL on Saturday, October 28th, 2023.

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.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: Should the parade be cancelled, the ceremony will move indoors to the VFW hall. The new call-time is 10am in department shorts, shirts, black crew socks, and black marching band shoes.

The combined Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, the cologuard (for those that wish to perform) performs in the Olney Veterans Day Parade scheduled for Friday, November 11th. We are performing in our marching band uniforms for this event. If you do not have a uniform, please contact Mr. Jones or Mrs. Deimel as soon as possible.

The itinerary for the day is as follows:

9:30 AM................Call-time in the rehearsal hall in show/division shirt, shorts & Drillmasters. You may wear sweat pants under the uniform; however, no jeans, please.

9:35 AM................Change into marching band uniforms.

10:00 AM..............Buses arrive at the circle drive at RCHS

10:10 AM..............Load the buses

10:20 AM..............Parade line-up at Trust Band

10:40 AM..............Parade step-off

• Host of Freedom (memorized)

11:00 AM..............Ceremony outside the Richland County Court House. In the event of rain, the event will take place in the VFW hall. You will need:

• Lyre
• Flip folder
• Armed Forces on Parade
• Heave Ho My Lads

12:00 PM.............Estimated return time to RCHS


SCRIPT FOR THE CEREMONY AT THE COURTHOUSE:

1. Preceremony Music (Hosts of Freedom)
2. Opening Remarks
3. Invocation
4. Introduction of VFW Commander
5. Empty Chair
6. Star Spangled Banner
7. Guest Speaker
8. Branch of Service Songs (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines)
9. 21-Gun Salute & TAPS
10. God Bless America
11. Benediction
12. Closing Remarks
    

It is almost that time of the year again! The Marching Tigers (a combination of the Symphonic Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, & any other RCHS Bands student that cares to join) is marching in the Olney Halloween Parade followed by the Fright Night performance on Friday, October 27th, 2023 at Bowers Park!

Students are to dress up in the Halloween spirit for this parade. Our drum major, Emma Wells, is leading the charge on a theme for costumes for this year's parade.

While it may not necessarily be warm the day of the parade, I still ask that students drink plenty of fluids to prevent heat related injuries.

The RCHS Bands is also proud to host the third annual Fright Night at Bower Park next to PizzaFast following the Olney Halloween Parade. Children of all ages and sizes may attend the free event!

Candy will be handed out to spectators. The Marching Tigers will perform a selection of Halloween tunes & movie themes, while the big screen shows excerpts from the movies.

Show-times are 6:45-7:40 pm, or following the conclusion of the parade.

3:00-4:29 PM................................Change into customs & dinner (on your own)
4:30 PM.........................................Call-time at RCHS & rehearse
5:00 PM.........................................Load equipment & depart for rally location
5:30 PM.........................................Meet at Trust Bank on Main St.
6:00 PM.........................................Parade step-off
6:45 PM.........................................Fright Night on Main St. (showtimes are 6:45-7:10 & 7:15-7:40 pm)

7:45 PM.........................................Pack & return to RCHS

The Halloween Movie and Cookout for RCHS Bands students has been postponed until Monday from 7:30-9:30 pm.

The RCHS Marching Tigers Final Performance is held in the RCHS stadium at 7 pm on Saturday, October 14th. The performance is open to the public at no cost. The call-time for Marching Tigers winds & percussion is 6 pm. The call-time for color guard to put on makeup is at the discretion of the color guard instructor.

We hope to see you there!

RCHS Bands will provide the music for all band alumni. If you are an alum that no longer has an instrument, flip folder, or lyre, we would be happy to help provide those items. However, we are limited on equipment, so instruments are first come, first serve.

Band alumni will meet the Marching Tigers in the rehearsal hall (room 155). Please enter though the double doors located in the circle drive, or through the commons.

Alumni will march with the band to and from the building to the stadium, and will perform in the stands when the ball isn't in play (time-outs, and between quarters). Alumni won't march during pregame or halftime this year.

Alumni from RCHS and ERHS, please wear an orange shirt. Alumni from WRHS wear blue.

The schedule for the night is as follows:

5:15 pm........................Call-time for RCHS ERHS, & WRHS band alumni in room 137 (rehearsal hall/exit 21)

6:35 pm........................Marching Tigers march to the stadium

6:50 pm........................Pre-game (Star-Spangled Banner & Fight Song)

7:00 pm........................Game begins (stand-tunes & half-time show. 3rd quarter off for concessions)

9:20 pm........................Estimated end to the football game

To RSVP, please click HERE.

For questions, please email at cjones@rccu1.net, or by calling (618) 393-2191 ext. 3153

A message from Dr. Ryan, Professor of Percussion at EIU:

"...attached is a schedule for the day. Your students will receive a pared-down version from us as well. We will have EIU students and staff on hand to guide your students by instrument, voice, or area from one session to the next."