Local band, Rigamarole, takes center stage.

Not the Same Ol' Rigamarole

The definition of rigmarole not only fits the music the band plays, but it also encompasses each members’ profession: music teachers. While most are public education or college-level instructors, with students’ age groups beginning at preschool and going all the way to 80 years old, the members all agree on one tenet: Music Saves Lives. Ask any teacher who works with kids and who’s been around a music program. Music has no prejudices or preconceptions about a person. You can be the average kid, the brilliant student who aces everything, or, and very importantly, that child somewhere “on the spectrum,” or a kid who just doesn’t fit in the various pegs of our system.

Music can take those individuals and help them fit in and become a part of a program where they can find their niche, their community, and sometimes become the reason they go to school. The members of Rigamarole get this. They’ve seen it time and time again. They are true advocates of their various programs. In these days of education cuts and tightening budgets, these teachers have to speak loud and clear to promote the music program. What is ultimately cool for the band is seeing their music transform their audience members. As keyboard player Nora Hunter said, “We are all using our music degrees in an important way.” 'We' would be Nora; Tanner Johns, sax; Bill Hepworth, guitar; Ryan Heimlich, bass; Austin King, drums; Casson Scowcroft, trombone; Joe West, trombone; and Ayaka Nakamura, trumpet. Most of them met at Chico State in the music program, and after they graduated and ended up in the Chico area, Austin said, “We got together and decided we should form a band.”

Rigamarole plays their own compositions, many written by King, and perform covers of a wide variety of music. Decisions are made as a group in a democratic fashion, and a big benefit is they all know how to play. Not just play but play. As Tanner said, “We make music sound better. We can also rehearse once and learn a song to play the next night.” Another factor is they can all read music.

Ryan added, “We enjoy playing together. Any job can be hard, but this is an amazing job.” The musicians are a part of a bigger social circle as well. “Not only are we friends, but our kids are friends, too,” said Tanner. Not just friends, either. Many band members are students of Phil, who teaches just about every instrument and all age levels.

Rigamarole is the only local band with a big horn section, and they’ve played many venues in the area. They will be performing at the Downtown Chico Friday Night Concert on August 19th. You can also visit their Facebook page to find out when they will play again.