2012-2013 Touring Season
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra offers the following Concert Programs for 2012-2013:
SCOTT JOPLIN & THE ORIGINAL KINGS OF RAGTIME
Travel back to the early 1900s as the U.S.A. begins her love affair with automobiles and electricity, flying machines take to the sky, and vaudeville creates American Idols. Join
Rick Benjamin and the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra there as they bring to life the thrilling sounds of Scott Joplin – “King of Ragtime Writers” – and his famous rivals, as they invent “America’s Original Music.” PRO’s most popular program – critically acclaimed across 48 U.S. states and several countries abroad!
To read an unsolicited presenter endorsement
of this program, click here: “Thank You, PRO”
BLUES JUNCTION 1912:
How the WORLD Got the ‘Blues’
Today the Blues is an art form known and loved by millions around the world. But for centuries it was an underground music virtually unknown outside of the Southern African-American communities that fostered it. It was not until 1912 that the Blues was brought to worldwide attention – due to the efforts of black cornetist/bandmaster W.C. Handy. Mr. Handy took the Blues and transformed it from an obscure regional folk music into the dominant American pop style. Rick Benjamin owns W.C. Handy’s original Blues orchestrations, and with this treasure has created an exciting new PRO concert program – BLUES JUNCTION 1912. Join us as we celebrate the Centennial of this priceless musical gift to the world!
Sample program and sound clips coming soon!
‘ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Offered annually in November and December, ‘ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE is PRO’s stylish and warm-hearted tribute to America’s Holiday musical traditions. This colorful program features favorite selections from the theaters, ballrooms, grand mansions, and humble hearthsides of the Victorian era. Familiar Christmas songs and carols are heard from their original 19th century scores, along with novelties (including a ragtime version of the Nutcracker Suite!) and sparkling instrumental and vocal soloists. As a finale, the Orchestra accompanies a screening of one of the world’s first Christmas movies – a 1905 Thomas Edison production. ‘ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE is a unique event that will delight and cheer your audiences well into the New Year.
Sample program and sound clips coming soon!
YOU’RE A GRAND OLD RAG:
GEORGE M. COHAN’S BROADWAY
For more than a century, the name GEORGE M. COHAN has been the stuff of show-biz legend. Yet Cohan’s brilliance as a song-and-dance-man (the beloved “Yankee Doodle Dandy”) overshadows his even more important achievements as the composer of some of America’s best and most enduring songs. Simply put, Cohan’s raggy tunes and slangy lyrics revolutionized Broadway, blazing the way for modern musical theater. This new PRO concert program presents a stirring look at George M. Cohan’s life and music, using the original scores that first introduced his hits “Give My Regards to Broadway,”
“H-a-rr-i-gan,” “The Yankee Doodle Boy,” “Over There!,” and all the rest. YOU’RE A GRAND OLD RAG is a bravura performance that will bring your audiences to their feet!
Sample program and sound clips coming soon!
SPECIAL EVENTS & CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS:
The Orchestra also creates customized programs for special events, celebrations, and holidays. With over 12,000 historic scores covering every musical style popular from the Civil War era to the Jazz Age, and with an acclaimed vintage music expert (and showman) in charge – we have the power and experience to custom-build programs especially for your venue, event, or theme. Your imagination is the only limit! Our client list over 25 years ranges from billion-dollar entertainment conglomerates to major performing arts centers to small not-for-profit groups (and everything in-between). Call us with your ideas for a free consultation: (570) 524-9511, or email info@paragonragtime.com
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS:
The PRO also offers condensed 50 minute versions of all of the above programs for “Young Audiences” in schools; we have different versions of each designed for specific age levels: Kindergarten-2nd Grade, Grades 3-5, Middle School, and High School students. For information on educational programs, and on how to bring Paragon to your school, please call 570-524-9511, or email info@paragonragtime.com
Downloadable publicity and press information coming soon!
