The rainy summer and fall has not only dampened your weekend plans, it has limited the Rockville High School Band’s ability to attend and perform at football games and band competitions.
“This has been the toughest season I’ve ever experienced because of the rain every Saturday,” Rockville High School Director of Bands Raymond J. Sinclair II said. “The shows have all been getting canceled or postponed. The kids haven’t had a performance in three weeks.”
To remedy that, Sinclair is planning an open rehearsal and community night on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 7 to 8 p.m. Everyone is invited to the Rockville High School football field to watch and hear the band rehearse and then perform. The high school is at 70 Loveland Hill Road, Vernon.
“We’d really like to see everyone come out – students, town residents, elementary school students who are musicians – to see what the Rockville High School Marching RAM Band has been working on,” Sinclair said.
The band will rehearse its routine first, then run through its program about 7:40 p.m., Sinclair said.
“This is an opportunity for the community to come together and support the students,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair has been working to build the band back up since his arrival last year. The number of band members has steadily increased.
On Saturday, Oct. 28, the RHS Marching Band, the Band Boosters and the Vernon Public Schools will host the USBANDS New England States Championships. The rain date is Sunday, Oct. 29.
Fourteen high schools marching bands from around New England will, including the Rockville High School Band, will compete.
The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. A special finale performance will feature the UConn marching band.
“This competition is a tremendous opportunity to see hundreds of talented musicians from around New England perform,” Sinclair said.