His songs have been recorded hundreds of times and arranged for many different instruments. Even though he was well known during his life, he became more famous after his death. He has been called the “King of Ragtime”, a style of music popular in the early 1900’s. All contributions will go directly to the participants so please consider donating generously.Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist. Contributions to the participants can be made through the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival website on-line. The participants in these virtual programs were not paid. This is one of the great stories of the revival era and I encourage Bill to enlarge that topic in his great dissertation into a longer piece, with Bolcom available for elaboration. One of my favorite comments during the discussion was Bill McNally’s reference to the development of ragtime during the ’70s revival when William Bolcom and William Albright traded ragtime compositions back and forth each one playing a latest effort for fun. Subjects discussed included how ragtime impacted race relations until 1910, why African Americans have not embraced ragtime after its pre-World War I popularity, and what needs to be done to keep ragtime viable. John Tennison, Barron Ryan, and Velvet Hall Cool. William McNally, Carol Collins Miles, Dr. The evening’s program concluded with a panel discussion on “Race and Ragtime Then and Now,” moderated by Bill Edwards, Symposia Director. “If I Don’t See You Again” was a poignant piece remembering those who died alone from COVID-19 during the lockdown. Kathleen shared the award with her husband Greg for all his help.īarron Ryan opened the second half of the concert with Joplin’s “Ragtime Dance” and included two of his own compositions. Nancy Moss announced Kathleen Boswell, former Board President as the 2021 Chrysanthemum Award recipient for her dedicated volunteer work and leadership of the Festival. He opened with “Maple Leaf Rag”, and I am astonished that what was written for 88 keys can be so recognizably played on six strings. His arrangements were beautifully performed, and he was both technically and artistically amazing. Saturday Night’s virtual program filled a regular annual Festival date but was also billed as the Festival’s 5th Syncopated Saturday Night offering.īryan Wright introduced Takashi Hameda, a most accomplished Japanese guitarist. He has included brief biographies and composition lists for over 300 women. His segment provided the tantalizing prospect that his long-researched Encyclopedia of Women Composers of the Ragtime Era will soon be available.

She performed five of her own compositions finishing with a Julie Lee Niebergall piece, “Red Rambler Rag.”īill Edward made a well-illustrated presentation on notable Female Ragtime Composers during the evening’s symposium. Larisa’s elegant classical style is pleasantly light and joyful.

Larisa Migachyov performed the second set of the evening that included two of her own compositions.

An intermission treat was a novelty piece titled, “You’re a Good Old Car but You Can’t Climb Hills” by Kiki, Yuko, and Bryan, the Family Wright. It was presented during the intermission to Nevin’s family by last year’s recipient, Nancy Moss. The 2020 Chrysanthemum Award for Festival Volunteer of the Year went posthumously to Nevin Almquist, former Board President and exuberant supporter of the event. She opened with May Aufderheide’s more familiar piece “Dusty,” and then in her distinctive style played lesser-known female compositions. Her work is well known from her First Ladies of Music videos on YouTube. Virginia Eskin’s sensitive and expressive piano style made for a genuinely pleasurable first set performance. The concerts were introduced by Artistic Director Bryan Wright.

Scott joplin ragtime festival 2003