Rio Americano High School Band

Rio Americano
Band Boosters

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Site Last Modified:
07/15/07

Original Site
Designed By:
Sean Arenson
© 2004 AIE Design

Site Redesigned and Maintained By:
RABB
Copyright © 2007

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Annual Rio Band Fundraising Events

Two popular annual events of the Rio Americano Band program are the Playathon and the Dinner Dance. Contact us for dates, times and locations or view our events schedule.

What's the PLAYATHON?
The Playathon is a major fundraiser for the band program and a tradition that began in 1982. The money buys music, repairs instruments, purchases supplies, and generally allows the Rio Band to continue as a first-rate fashion program. This event has grown to be a lot of fun for our students as well as a connection to the community, and a bond with our middle and elementary feeder schools. Basically, it's a blast. So, today the tradition continues.

HISTORY
Ben Fong was the Band Director at Rio from the Fall of 1980 through the Spring of '82. In his second and final year he instigated the 24-hour Playathon. It was an event to raise funds so the students could go on a Spring Trip. It usually entailed a marching performance somewhere - maybe to another school or Disneyland. The money raised was set aside exclusively for this purpose. There were no minimums, but the Band traveled only as far as the money raised would take them. Pledge nights were mandatory but poorly attended, and most of the money was raised by a handful of students. The original event itself consisted almost entirely of sight reading. The students divided into six groups and four played while two rested. No middle school or elementary students attended, hardly any publicity went out, and there was no concert or dance of any kind (that had to wait until the Wally Etterbeek years). At that time, Rio just had one Concert and one Jazz Band and about forty kids total in the program.

Since that time, the Playathon has evolved into a major tradition and bonding experience for Rio band students. The 24-hours of non-stop music continued until 2002, and now the event has been shortened to 17 hours of non-stop music, eliminating only the overnight aspect. The format and features of the Playathon may change year to year, but the fun remains.

The Rio/Arden Dinner Dance
It all started as a Spaghetti Pot Luck with paper utensils and paper napkins, held in the multi-purpose room at Arden Middle School with Mr. Riemers as the Band Director. The parents organized this event and, for a few years, Arden was where the action was. After several years, the multi-purpose room was outgrown and the event had to be moved to a social hall at a church in the community. Finally, in February of 1995 the Dinner Dance had grown so large that the Scottish Rite Temple hall became the location of choice. This change in location prompted the use of china, silver utensils, cloth napkins, and linen tablecloths.

Mr. Faniani (RIO AMERICANO HIGH SCHOOL) and Mr. Baker (ARDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL) have continued the tradition of the Dinner Dance for the last 20 years. Today, Arden's Jazz Band, Rio's three Jazz Ensembles, and Combo groups from both schools play their hearts out for the enjoyment of all in attendance. The money raised at this event is primarily from the raffle. Through the generous donations of local music stores and the community at large, we are able to obtain quality items for a raffle and a silent auction. ALL PROCEEDS RAISED FROM THIS EVENT BENEFIT ALL BAND PROGRAMS AT BOTH SCHOOLS. Although the jazz band students perform, all band students benefit, and all parents - concert, jazz, and non-band - have a marvelous time.

This is all made possible by the involvement of the parents, the support of the band directors, and the outstanding musical ability of the band members. Many committees are formed to plan and organize this grand affair: Raffle, Decorations, Publicity, Adult Food, Student Food, Adult Beverage, Chaperones, and Clean-up. Anyone who has attended the Dinner Dance in the past can tell you what a magnificent event this has become. All band families are encouraged to participate. The community at large is invited to attend.

This site is designed and maintained by the
students & faculty of the Rio Americano High School Band Program
and members of the Rio Americano Band Boosters.