The common bond of music will pull together two diverse groups of musicians today - members of the Davis High School Jazz Band and youths incarcerated in a California Youth Authority facility in Stockton.

This is the third annual Playathon Musical Partnership between DHS and students of the Johanna Boss High School in the O.H. Close Youth Correctional Facility.

For the past few weeks, the bands at the two schools have been working on the same pieces of music during class time. This morning, after the 23 Davis students arrive, the two bands planned to merge and practice together for two hours. Davis students planned to tour the CYA facility, have lunch with the students and participate in a concert together.

The idea originated several years ago when Davis Board of Education member Don Saylor was driving back and forth to the California Youth Authority in Stockton as part of his job as the regional administrator for education for the Northern California Youth Authority.

"I have always been delighted with the events that bring different bands together," Saylor says. The idea came and it grew.

That first year was filled with apprehension at both schools, according to Saylor. Students and parents in Davis were hesitant to give this experiment a try.

"We didn't want to rush anybody into something they were uncomfortable with," Saylor says. By the second year, DHS band director Fred Lange was excited and ready to make it happen.

The two band directors got together to trade music - a light jazz repertoire. A few months later, the DHS Jazz Band was on its way to Stockton to play music and participate in the first concert.

Though the concept is simple, the actual day is a bit more complex. Davis High students leave at 7:30 a.m., packing all of their equipment and instruments onto a bus. This year's program has a special funding source: Four of Davis' bank branches - U.S. Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Union Bank of California - have contributed $100 each to cover the cost of the bus.

When the students arrive at the Stockton facility, they are screened through security. By 10:30 a.m., they are practicing their musical program with 15 students from Boss High School.

At lunch, what could potentially be an emotionally difficult situation soon becomes typical teen interaction, Saylor says, with "kids talking, laughing, sharing stories."

At 1:30 p.m., the musicians prepare for their joint concert. Only those CYA students who have very well behaved will be able to attend this special concert, according to Lange. "And kids work had for this privilege," he explains.

"There is a lot to be learned in this situation," Saylor says. "Both sides benefit from this kind of interaction, learning from the different parts of the world that meet in this special event."

Lange speaks of how special this program is, too. He believes there is "great, lasting impact," explaining that "In 20 years, there is a lot these kids won't remember, but this day stays with them for the rest of their lives."

Saylor explains that it is a natural thing to play music with others.

"What makes this setting unique is that the Davis High School students have the benefit of private lessons, a consistent high school music program and support at home. Many of the student shave been playing for years," he says.

"In contrast, most of the students at Boss have been playing for a short time - only a few have any real experience. When asked at an award ceremony two years ago, two of the most celebrated graduating band students said this trip was their most significant high school musical experience - because it opened their eyes."

By comparison, each student at CYA knows that if they don't behave, they will lose the privilege of participating - and most of the students aren't willing for that to happen. These students have come to love music. Many of the students have cited this program - playing with Davis High School musicians - as having a truly significant impact on their future. This has become very important for them, something in which they take pride, Saylor says.

"There are so many positive elements in putting together a day like this one," he adds. "You learn that music education is vital for anybody. You become aware that the differences between people are smaller than the things that we share. It is fantastic to watch these two groups of young people interact and make music."

This depth of experience is what the band members will bring home with them as they get back on their bus and head up Interstate 5. It is what the students at the correctional facility will take back to their dorms with them when the gates lock the bus out this afternoon.