Joplin!: Score
By Scott Joplin / arr. L. C. Harnsberger
Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0000436
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Description
Scott Joplin is one of the twentieth century's most popular composers. Three of his best-loved melodies are included in this medley of favorites. Start with the "Maple Leaf Rag", then move into "Solace", the beautiful "Mexican Serenade," and finish off with Joplin's most famous rag, "The Entertainer". Each piece is nicely scored with fun parts for everyone in the band. Get ready for a toe-tapping tune that will be a sure hit for any concert.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Joplin!: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Symphonic
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
65
SKU:
00-PR-0000436
More about this title
About the Composer: Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin (1868-1917) transformed American popular music by elevating ragtime from saloon entertainment to a sophisticated compositional art form. His innovations in syncopation, harmonic complexity, and structural development influenced generations of composers across jazz, classical, and popular music.
Joplin's works, particularly "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag," have become synonymous with turn-of-the-century American identity. His music demands technical precision from performers while remaining instantly approachable to audiences, making his compositions enduring staples of music education.
Why we love this
This medley captures Joplin's range in a single program piece: you get the syncopated energy of his signature rags alongside the lyrical beauty of "Solace" and "Mexican Serenade." L. C. Harnsberger's Grade 2 scoring makes all four melodies accessible while preserving Joplin's harmonic character, and the 65-page package gives every section engaging material without overwhelming rehearsal time.
What to expect
Energetic and warm, this medley swings between toe-tapping exuberance and moments of genuine lyricism. The orchestration has a light, accessible quality that makes Joplin's syncopated language feel natural rather than demanding, inviting audiences into the joy of ragtime without pretension.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the Grade 2 level looking for repertoire that combines recognition value with genuine musical substance. This works equally well for festival performances, concert programming, or classroom engagement with early 20th century American music.
How to get the most out of it
- Clarify the syncopation through careful articulation rather than rushing tempos; Joplin's rhythmic sophistication depends on precise execution, not speed.
- Balance melody and accompaniment so the ragtime rhythmic patterns in the lower voices remain audible without drowning out the tune.
- Shape the contrasting character between the driving rags and the gentler "Solace" and "Mexican Serenade" through dynamic control and section blend.
- Maintain consistent groove in the rhythm section; students should feel how the syncopation sits within a steady pulse, not against it.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece that bridges classical and popular contexts, or use it to open a set with immediate audience engagement. The variety within the medley structure also makes it effective in educational settings where you want to explore different aspects of Joplin's compositional voice in one rehearsal unit.
Skills your students will build
- Performing syncopated rhythms with precision and clarity
- Balancing melody and syncopated accompaniment patterns
- Shaping character contrasts across different musical textures
- Maintaining steady pulse while executing complex rhythmic subdivisions
- Reading and executing articulation marks that define ragtime style