The Entertainer: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

This arrangement captures the syncopated energy and memorable melodic contours of Joplin's original while making the piece genuinely singable for mixed voices. The neutral-syllable writing keeps learning intuitive, and the truncated A-B-A structure means your choir can master and perform a recognizable masterwork in just a couple of rehearsals. It's the kind of piece that energizes a concert while anchoring your programming in authentic American musical heritage.

Energetic and playful, with the rhythmic precision of a ragtime piano piece translated into vocal lines that sparkle. There's a celebratory quality throughout, genuine joy in the syncopation and an almost vaudeville-like wit that makes audiences lean forward in their seats.

Any mixed-voice or SAB choir looking for a concert piece that combines accessibility with authentic classical American repertoire. This works equally well for high school, college, community, and church choirs seeking a spotlight selection or encore that audiences genuinely enjoy.

• Keep the syncopation crisp and precise, especially during the ragtime rhythms in the accompaniment. Slight swinging or rushing will blur the carefully designed syncopation Joplin intended.
• Shape the neutral syllables with clear vowel colors so the melody remains lyrical even as the rhythm stays percussive. Treat the syllables as musical material, not merely a vehicle for the harmony.
• Balance the three parts so the top line remains audible over the accompaniment without excessive volume. Let the supporting voices sit comfortably behind the melody line.
• Take advantage of the two-minute length by committing fully to the character from the downbeat. There's no time to build momentum, so enter with confidence and maintain infectious energy throughout.

Program this during an American music concert or Black History Month celebration to represent a pivotal figure in American musical history. Its brevity and high energy also make it an ideal encore that leaves audiences smiling, or a confident opener that sets an upbeat tone for the entire program.

• Reading and performing syncopated rhythms characteristic of ragtime
• Balancing melody and harmony lines in three-part texture
• Sustaining musical interest while singing neutral syllables
• Maintaining rhythmic precision in syncopated accompaniment patterns