It's Ragtime!: Choral Instrumental Parts

Shaw's ragtime piece captures everything that makes pop-adjacent choral music work on stage: genuine rhythmic drive, singable voicing that doesn't sacrifice harmonic interest, and built-in entertainment value that engages both performers and audiences. The optional instrumental parts elevate what could be a purely vocal arrangement into something with real textural variety and professional polish without requiring a full pit band.

Upbeat and propulsive, with the swagger of early 20th-century ragtime filtered through a modern choral sensibility. The piece carries genuine energy and optimism, inviting singers and audiences alike into its rhythmic momentum without ever feeling forced or overly clever.

This piece works for mixed choirs of intermediate ability and above who want to tackle a style that feels contemporary and fun without requiring complex voicings or extended techniques. Choirs preparing pop or secular-focused concerts will find it especially valuable, as will directors looking to add rhythmic and stylistic variety to their season.

• Lock the rhythmic groove early in rehearsals by isolating the syncopated passages and conducting them with clear subdivision so singers internalize the ragtime swing
• Layer in instrumental parts gradually; begin with full choir and recorded accompaniment, then add live instruments one section at a time to maintain clarity and rhythmic cohesion
• Emphasize articulation in the rhythmic figures to match the crisp, bouncy character of the style rather than letting lines blur together

Position this in the second half of a concert where the audience is warmed up and ready to move with the music. Its infectious rhythm pairs well after a set of more introspective pieces, or use it as an effective opener if you want to grab attention immediately and establish an upbeat tone for the evening.

• Syncopated rhythm reading and execution in a stylistic context
• Blend and balance between choral and instrumental timbres
• Swing articulation and phrasing appropriate to ragtime idiom
• Rhythmic precision and groove awareness