It's Ragtime!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

John Leavitt's arrangement captures the infectious energy and structural sophistication of ragtime in an accessible 2-part setting that actually teaches voice independence. The syncopated figures and swing rhythms engage singers immediately while the writing remains singable enough for developing choirs to build genuine confidence.

Playful, propulsive energy infuses every measure. The syncopated rhythms create a forward momentum that feels almost dance-like, while the ragtime harmonies remind listeners why this music sparked a cultural phenomenon.

This arrangement works for young singers encountering syncopation for the first time as well as intermediate choirs wanting an energetic, repertoire-expanding piece. It's ideal for singers who respond to groove and rhythmic clarity over lyrical demands.

• Establish a steady pulse in rehearsal before layering the syncopation; the piece lives and dies on rhythmic clarity between parts.
• Emphasize the staccato articulation in the rhythmic figures to unlock the piece's bounce and character.
• Record a rehearsal run-through and have singers listen back to hear how their part locks with the other voice; this builds awareness of interdependence.
• Shape the phrasing through dynamic contour rather than holding notes longer than written; ragtime phrases should breathe naturally and move forward.

Pair this with other early twentieth-century American choral works to show the diversity of voices emerging from that era, or program it in a pops concert where the groove and accessibility shine. It also works beautifully as a musical bridge between classical and jazz studies.

• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms accurately
• Maintaining rhythmic independence while listening to another part
• Understanding ragtime's historical and cultural context
• Executing clean articulation in fast passage work
• Building awareness of swing and stylistic interpretation