Paragon Ragtime Orchestra

The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (PRO) is a unique musical ensemble dedicated to the performance and preservation of America's original music, focusing on the syncopated sounds of early musical theater, silent cinema, and vintage dance. Founded and directed by Rick Benjamin, the PRO is distinguished as the world's only year-round, professional group re-creating the ragtime era's rich musical heritage. The origins of the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra trace back to 1985 when Rick Benjamin discovered a treasure trove of turn-of-the-century orchestra scores that had belonged to Victrola recording star Arthur Pryor. This remarkable find inspired Benjamin to establish the PRO, which made its formal debut in 1988 at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center—the first concert of its kind at the prestigious venue. Since its inception, the PRO has garnered acclaim for its authentic performances, appearing at hundreds of esteemed arts venues including the Ravinia Festival, the Smithsonian Institution, Chautauqua, the Brucknerhaus in Austria, the New York 92nd Street Y, and the American Dance Festival. In 1999, the PRO played a pivotal role in the premiere of Paul Taylor's dance "Oh You Kid" at The Kennedy Center, and in 2003, it presented the premiere of Rick Benjamin's reconstruction of Scott Joplin's opera "Treemonisha" at San Francisco's Stern Grove Festival. The orchestra's influence extends beyond live performances; it has a significant following through radio programs on WQXR, National Public Radio, the BBC, and the Voice of America networks. The Walt Disney Company has used the PRO's recordings for the ambient music at Main Street, U.S.A. in its theme parks since 1989. Moreover, the PRO served as a cultural ambassador at the 1992 World's Universal Exposition in Seville, Spain. The PRO's contributions to film and television soundtracks, along with its acclaimed audio and video recordings, have played a crucial role in reviving interest in America's theatrical, cinematic, and dance orchestra music traditions. The orchestra is a non-profit organization under IRS 501(c)(3) status, with its concerts partly sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Rick Benjamin, the founder and director of the PRO, has dedicated his career to unearthing and performing lost American music from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His extensive collection of historic American orchestral scores, which numbers over 20,000 titles, forms the basis of the PRO's repertoire. Benjamin's expertise extends to conducting, piano performance, arranging, and musicology, and he has been involved with numerous orchestras and music projects around the world. The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra continues to celebrate and disseminate the sounds of the ragtime era, ensuring that this pivotal period in American music history is remembered and enjoyed by audiences everywhere. The PRO is headquartered in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and those interested in learning more about the orchestra or inquiring about engagements can contact them via their official website or by mail. For further information, recordings, and updates on the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra's activities, individuals can visit their official website or join their mailing list to stay connected with the latest news and events.