The young musicians at Rio Americano High School are no strangers to big performances, and big recognition.

Last year, DownBeat Magazine recognized Rio’s AM Jazz Ensemble during their 47th Annual Student Music Awards for the eighth consecutive year, and the 13th time since 2009. 

And this week the high school is gearing up for a longtime tradition that will put their band members’ lips and breath control to the test, while offering younger students the chance to play alongside their older counterparts. 

The 44th annual Playathon will take place Friday, Oct. 24, playing out over the course of 16 hours. The marathon music event will feature performances by Rio American’s concert bands, jazz ensembles and string orchestra, and raise funds to support the students’ musical passions.

Josh Murray is one of Rio Americano’s band directors, and two of Playathon’s key organizers are student musicians Jamie Johnson and James Sidebotham.

The trio spoke with CapRadio’s Chris Nichols on Insight about what it means to participate in Playathon, and how that passion extends beyond the instruments and sheet music.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Interview highlights

Jamie, you’re organizing this year’s big fundraiser. I think the most pressing question is… are you really going to play the entire 16 hours of the Playathon? Can you break it down a little bit?

JOHNSON: Yes, Plaython starts [the] music at 8 a.m. We have a brass band that plays and welcomes students into the school. From there it goes on until midnight, when we have a dance at the end of the night.

During the school day, we have students come in and watch us perform from their classes. After that we start performing for visitors, and we have three different concert bands, three jazz bands… we just play for all our listeners.

James, you’re a senior saxophone player and student assistant director. When did you attend your first Playathon, and what are you most looking forward to?

SIDEBOTHAM: My first Playathon… I think I went when I was in fifth grade. I played with the clinic that we hold for elementary and middle school students, where we have our concert bands play with the students. We give them an opportunity to see what it’s like to perform in a high school setting. Probably looking forward to seeing all the local schools [and] pretty much playing all day.

So how does one get ready for a 16-hour Playathon?

SIDEBOTHAM: Luckily for me I play saxophone, which is not a super intensive instrument. A lot of our trumpet and trombone players they’re going to have to be watching out for their lips, we call that “chops,” and making sure they save some of their gas in the tank for the night concerts.

Josh, you’ve been at Rio since 1998, and seen a few Playathons. Tell us about the history of the event, and what it means to the community?

MURRAY: This is the 44th annual Playathon, and it’s happened every year since 1981 with the exception of COVID, of course. It’s just become part of the fabric of our community and our school, and certainly our music program. We have community outreach and we bring in all these young musicians to play with us who, like James said, go on to play music in high school, often with us and often beyond.

It’s great to have the students come out during the day, and then putting on a concert at night. If anyone would like to come… come on out between 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Rio and check out all of our bands.

We have seen, in my many years at Rio, what music and music education does for kids. How it helps them lead a happy, successful, complete life later on, and we want that for as many people as possible.

The Rio Americano High School AM Jazz Ensemble.Courtesy of Josh Murray

Looking at the longevity of this program at Rio, why do you think it’s sustained such long-term success?

MURRAY: It’s really a confluence of a lot of things. The community has been behind us. Kids keep coming, we have wonderful young people to work with everyday. And so for myself and my colleagues, it’s just a joy to go in to work everyday and work with these folks. I think that kind of attitude pervades in the classroom, and out into the community. It just feels very healthy, a place where kids can come and truly be themselves, whatever and whoever that is.

Jamie and James, what advice do you have for anyone thinking of checking out the Playathon, what should they be prepared for?

JOHNSON: I would say if you’re interested, come with an open mind. It [was] super inspiring as a freshman being part of my first Playathon. I never went to a Playathon before attending Rio. So, being able to see that as a student who had not really any idea about the event, it was really eye-opening and it really inspired me to pursue music further.  

SIDEBOTHAM: And, be prepared to have fun!  

Josh, do you have any tips for students that are thinking of joining the band?

MURRAY: Regardless of where they go to middle school, high school or beyond, music makes you a better human being. And you being a better human being makes the world a better place, and we all need that. So play music.

The things that you learn in the band or music classroom are things that you cannot get anywhere else. And it really prepares students to work with others, to be collaborative, to be kind, to listen… that this is about “us” and not “me.”

The 44th Annual Playathon will run for 16 hours at Rio American High School, 4940 American River Dr. starting at 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Rio Music Program.