2023-2024 Touring Season
Concert Programs:
*NEW* Have an historic American theater? We have an NEA presenting grant! Click here for details: Paragon Live in Historic American Theaters!
“…delightfully infectious. The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and its dynamic director have found a winning formula for educating the public in the most enjoyable way….”
– FANFARE
*NEW*
Meet Me at the Fair!:
Sights & Sounds from the Great World’s Fairs
Meet Me at the Fair! is a spectacular multi-media celebration of the world’s fairs, including the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. In this program, world’s fair images by some of America’s greatest painters and photographers are paired with original world’s fair music, as performed by Rick Benjamin and the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (official resident musicians of the U.S. Pavilion – 1992 World’s Fair). Music played a key role in the success of all these great international festivals, launching both hit songs and the illustrious careers of many American musicians (including Scott Joplin and Sousa). This new PRO program reunites stirring world’s fair hits with the continuous projections of magnificent fairground images. There is audience participation (on “Meet Me In St. Louis, Louis”) and as a finale, the Orchestra accompanies the 1915 silent film A Visit to the World’s Fair using its original orchestral score. All is propelled forward with evocative and humorous narration by conductor Rick Benjamin.
Watch the Video Demo here:
PRO’S Meet Me At The Fair!
BOOKING INFORMATION:
North America and China –
ARIEL ARTISTS
[email protected]
(857) 472-3366
Europe, South America, Far East (except China) –
PRIMUSIC – MUSIDAT LTD, VIENNA
[email protected]
+43 (676) 500-9036
SCOTT JOPLIN & THE ORIGINAL KINGS OF RAGTIME
Travel back to the early 1900s as modern life begins: America falls in love with electricity and automobiles, flying machines take to the sky, and vaudeville creates American Idols. Join Rick Benjamin and the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra as they bring to life the thrilling sounds of Scott Joplin – “King of Ragtime Writers” – and his ingenious rivals, as they invent “America’s Original Music.” PRO’s most popular program – critically acclaimed across 48 U.S. states and several countries abroad!
Download the PRO Concert Programs flyer/poster here: PRO Concert Flyer (PDF file).
Watch a video excerpt of this show:
PRO record the hit 1917 dance number, “Step With Pep,” which has been the longtime “opener” of their Scott Joplin & the Original Kings of Ragtime program.
Read an unsolicited presenter endorsement of this program: “Thank You, PRO”
BOOKING INFORMATION:
North America and China –
ARIEL ARTISTS
[email protected]
(857) 472-3366
Europe, South America, Far East (except China) –
PRIMUSIC – MUSIDAT LTD, VIENNA
[email protected]
+43 (676) 500-9036
‘ROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Touring 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!
BOOKING INFORMATION:
North America and China –
ARIEL ARTISTS
[email protected]
(857) 472-3366
Europe, South America, Far East (except China) –
PRIMUSIC – MUSIDAT LTD, VIENNA
[email protected]
+43 (676) 500-9036
YOU’RE A GRAND OLD RAG:
GEORGE M. COHAN’S BROADWAY
For generations, the name GEORGE M. COHAN has conjured the rollicking magic that is Broadway. And this legend is real: as America’s beloved tunesmith and original “Song & Dance Man,” Cohan actually was the father of modern musical theater. This exciting PRO program – starring Colin Pritchard – offers a stirring look at George M’s amazing life and music – “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 tap-dancing bravura performance that brings audiences to their feet!
Sample program and sound clips coming soon!
BOOKING INFORMATION:
North America and China –
ARIEL ARTISTS
[email protected]
(857) 472-3366
Europe, South America, Far East (except China) –
PRIMUSIC – MUSIDAT LTD, VIENNA
[email protected]
+43 (676) 500-9036
SPECIAL EVENTS & CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS:
The Orchestra also creates customized programs for special events, Centennials, celebrations, and holidays. With over 20,000 historic scores covering every musical style popular from the Civil War era to the Jazz Age, and with acclaimed American music expert (and showman) Rick Benjamin 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 30 years ranges from billion-dollar entertainment conglomerates to major performing arts centers and museums to small not-for-profit groups (and everything in-between). Call us with your ideas for a free consultation: (570) 524-9511, or email [email protected]
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 (201) 524-9511, or email [email protected]
Kids love the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra too! Here, members of the Orchestra sign autographs for happy school students.
SILENT FILM PROGRAMS
SCOTT JOPLIN’S TREEMONISHA
[CONCERT PROGRAMS]
Downloadable publicity and press information available here:
PRESENTERS & MEDIA RESOURCES
© Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, Inc. All rights reserved.
