Oriole Park Rag

ORIOLE PARK RAG PERFORMANCE NOTES Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, is a stadium which was designed to evoke the ambiance of old-time ball parks. Oriole Park Rag, in turn, is a new piece of music in an old-time style which attempts to capture the spirit elicited by the new, old-time stadium. Oriole Park Rag is a showcase for an excellent woodwind section. The licks between letters B and C, will gauge the suitability of this piece for those players. In the traditional ragtime style, eighth notes should always be played evenly, not swung as in jazz. Do not play at march tempo, but rather in an easy two. Recordings of Scott Joplin rags by the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble are still available. If the band is not familiar with the ragtime style, these recordings are an excellent way to learn. If possible, the solo at letter F should be played on a cornet. A trumpet is a satisfactory substitute, but not the real thing. The soloist may wish to listen to some cornet solos recorded by Gerard Schwarz on the Nonesuch label. The trombone smear beginning at letter I should be prominent in that section. The percussion part may be played on a set if preferred. Oriole Park Rag has been performed by the Baltimore Municipal Band and the Peabody Ragtime Ensemble. Thank you for choosing this composition. I trust that your band and your audience will find it enjoyable. Joseph Compello