The Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival
scott joplin
International Ragtime Festival Mission Statement
Locally, nationally & internationally, the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation’s (SJRF) mission is:
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to promote an understanding and appreciation of Classic Ragtime music,
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to explain how Classic Ragtime influenced the evolution of the nation’s popular music,
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to illustrate how Classic Ragtime music has itself evolved into the modern era
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to promote Scott Joplin’s contribution to Classic Ragtime music,
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to describe the importance of Sedalia, Missouri as the place where America’s music began.
The SJRF works to increase ragtime awareness and appreciation to a worldwide audience of all ages by:
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Producing the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival in Sedalia, Missouri
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Coordinating the annual Artist-in-Residence Program
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Mentoring youth who are interested in ragtime music through the Ragtime Kids program
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Sponsoring “Syncopated Saturday Nights” virtual concert presentations
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Promoting the Joplin Footsteps Tour
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Maintaining the Sedalia Ragtime Archive
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Publishing the website ScottJoplin.org
For more than 65 years, concerts and festivals (in the week after Memorial Day) have celebrated the genius of Scott Joplin and his music here in Sedalia, where ragtime became America’s music. In this way the city has hosted performers and admirers from around the world to an annual ragtime family reunion that keeps Joplin’s music alive and well.
Not only is the SCOTT JOPLIN INTERNATIONAL RAGTIME FESTIVAL known world-wide as the largest festival of its kind, but it is beloved because, for performers and enthusiasts, it’s like coming home. Ticketed concerts and free venues, tea dances, dance lessons, symposia, and music swap-meets fill the festival days accompanied by toe-tapping fun.
The Joplin Foundation takes great pride in producing a festival where those who are breaking into the profession have the opportunity to perform with and be mentored by world-renowned musicians. Established in 1997, the ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM introduces elementary and middle-school students to Scott Joplin as the King of Ragtime, Classic Ragtime as the root of American music, and Sedalia’s connection to American music history. The program engages one noted Ragtime musician per year as Artist in Residence. The performer reaches 3,500 students through assemblies in Sedalia area schools. In addition, the artist usually presents a public concert for all ages.
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RAGTIME KIDS is an innovative program to inspire young performers and researchers to create new ragtime music and discover more of its history. Announced in 2019, its objectives include activities to educate junior high and high school students regarding the five SJRF Mission goals stated above. Bill McNally is serving as the first Ragtime Kids Program Director. Funding for the program comes from public contributions to the Foundation in memory of Larry Karp, a Ragtime enthusiast and important author on ragtime history. Karp wrote the definitive biography of ragtime legend Brun Campbell (Brun Campbell: The Original Ragtime Kid, 2016).
The Foundation initiated SYNCOPATED SATURDAY NIGHTS (SSN) in 2020, a series of internet-based concerts to support Ragtime artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 and 2021 Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festivals were cancelled as were most other live music performance venues and events due to the pandemic. The first SSN took place on September 26, 2020 via YouTube and Facebook.
The Foundation provided each performer with a stipend, and encouraged viewers to provide additional “tips” by donating through the Foundation’s website or by mail. Performers received 100% of the donations. All SSN concerts remain available for viewing on the Foundation’s YouTube channel: : youtube.com/scottjoplin65301
The JOPLIN FOOTSTEPS TOUR allows Ragtime enthusiasts to experience firsthand significant sites in Scott Joplin’s formulative years in Sedalia. Guests board a luxury motor coach at the Maple Leaf Club site for a guided tour that includes more than 25 drive-by stops where Joplin lived and performed, as well as related Sedalia landmarks. Introduced during the festival in 2017, each tour features a new theme and attractions. For example, the 2018 “A Toast to Ragtime Tour” concluded with live music and a toast to Bob Darch at his gravesite. Ragtime historians and educators collaborate on the tour route and develop a full-color, illustrated booklet for participants.
The Foundation partners with the Sedalia Heritage Foundation in efforts to preserve and interpret Sedalia’s Ragtime Heritage through the SEDALIA RAGTIME ARCHIVE by...
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conserving and cataloging present holdings
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creating a research library
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developing permanent and traveling exhibits
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promoting ongoing acquisition of significant artifacts
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restoring a player piano rescued from what is believed to be Sedalia’s last brothel
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developing a year-round visitor destination dedicated to celebrating Sedalia Ragtime
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