It's Ragtime!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Shaw brings the vocabulary of jazz and popular music into the choral rehearsal space without losing educational credibility. This piece captures the rhythmic snap and syncopated energy of ragtime while remaining accessible to middle-level singers; the 2-part voicing keeps focus on the style and fun rather than technical complexity. Programming it signals to your singers that choral music can be modern, engaging, and deeply satisfying all at once.

Upbeat and propulsive, with the characteristic syncopation and forward momentum of ragtime. The piece has genuine swing and personality; singers will feel the groove rather than simply reading notes on a page, making the performance experience as much fun as the result.

Middle school and early high school choirs seeking an accessible entry into jazz and popular styles without sacrificing musical substance. This octavo works equally well for singers new to syncopation and for experienced ensembles looking to expand their stylistic range with an arrangement that feels both educational and entertaining.

• Lock in the rhythmic precision early. Ragtime thrives on crisp articulation and clean attacks; spend rehearsal time on the syncopated figures until they feel natural rather than forced.
• Layer in the recorded accompaniment or live instrumental parts once singers have internalized their lines. The rhythm section transforms the piece from a choral exercise into a fully realized arrangement.
• Bring out the humor and character in the text through dynamic shaping and phrasing. Ragtime style rewards singers who commit to the groove rather than treating it as straight classical music.
• Balance ensemble unity with individual expression. Encourage singers to feel the jazz vocabulary in their interpretation without losing the precision that makes ragtime charming.

This is an ideal contrast piece in a concert featuring classical or contemporary choral literature. Program it midway through to shift energy, or use it as an encore that leaves your audience smiling. It pairs well with other accessible popular or jazz-influenced pieces and signals to audiences that your choir performs across styles with confidence.

• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms accurately
• Jazz articulation and swing style phrasing
• Part independence in 2-part writing
• Rhythmic precision and ensemble synchronization with accompaniment
• Understanding ragtime as a historical popular music style