The Castle Walk Rag

This arrangement of The Castle Walk Rag (1914) provides several musical and technique-building opportunities for middle and/or high school orchestras. The repetitive syncopations and close harmonies in works from the ragtime (or pre-jazz) era give students a chance to reinforce intonation and rhythmic skills. On a repertoire level, the contributions of historically under-represented Black composers deserve wider recognition. Performing works such as this one by Europe and Dabney can broaden students' and teachers' understandings of this important era in American music.