0% found this document useful (0 votes)
6 views2 pages

Origins of Ragtime Music in Missouri

Uploaded by

Vee
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
6 views2 pages

Origins of Ragtime Music in Missouri

Uploaded by

Vee
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Project Proposal

1. Project Title
How Ragtime Music Began in Missouri

2. Project Applicant
Molly Smith, Advanced Music, Prairie High School, Somewhere, MO

3. Reason for the Project:


I am writing this paper to satisfy the requirements for my Advanced Music class. I will be
applying to colleges as a music major in piano, but I also want to emphasize my love of music
history and will use information from this project for my college entrance essays.

4. Knowledge of Subject
I know a lot about American jazz, but I don’t know a lot about ragtime, which was also a very
popular style of music around 1900. From what I have listened to, ragtime has syncopation and
is difficult to play, but I don’t know how ragtime got started or who started it.

5. Preliminary Research/Literature Search


I have read a few books about ragtime’s history, including Rags and Ragtime by David Jasen
and Trebor Jay Tichenor, They All Played Ragtime, by Rudi Blesh, and “Blind” Boone: His
Early Life and His Achievements by Melissa Fuell. There are several others I will need to read,
and CDs I have to listen to which will include music by John Boone, Scott Joplin, and James
Scott. I will visit the State Historical Society Library since the have a good collection of ragtime
music histories. I have emailed Jim Lang, who has made recordings of ragtime music, and I will
interview him by phone. My project will use history, music analysis, and interviews to support
my research.

6. Project Description
Ragtime has been played for more than 140 years, and one of the places that helped to make
ragtime popular around the world was Missouri. For my project, I will research how ragtime
began in Missouri. I will read about ragtime’s history, listen to recordings, and interview Jim
Lang, a musician who performs it. I will look at three of the most famous Missouri composers of
ragtime (John Boone, Scott Joplin, and James Scott), and will write about their life stories and
their music, and how they helped to shape ragtime. Finally, I will discuss how these composers
are still performed today, and why ragtime was important.

7. What You Will Produce During this Project/Outcomes


I will write a paper of at least 2500 words about my topic, and include photographs and other
illustrations about ragtime and ragtime composers in Missouri. My paper will include a timeline
of ragtime, resources for readers to find and listen to ragtime, and an edited interview with Jim
Lang.
8. Timeline or Tasks
I have a full semester to research and write this paper. I will begin in the fall:
September Research ragtime history. Visit the State Historical Society Library for information
Interview Jim Lang by phone.
October Write first draft by October 21, and get feedback from my mentors.
November Write second draft and get feedback from my mentors.
December Complete final writing and turn in paper by December 10.

9. Oversight
Glenda Rigby is my senior project advisor. She is a music teacher at my school, an expert in
music history and has helped to establish a local ragtime festival. She will review my research,
read and comment on my drafts and rewrites.

Dr. Mike Weill is my piano instructor. He has a lot of background in ragtime music, and he will
read and comment on my paper.

10. Possible Problems


Since I am covering a lot of information, I will have to really focus my work. I also have to make
sure I read as many of the ragtime history books as possible so that I have a good foundation
for my writing. The biggest concern I have is not sticking to my timeline, so I will check in a lot
with my mentors and they will help me keep moving on my work.

Common questions

Powered by AI

The main challenges identified are covering a vast amount of information and adhering to the project timeline. To address these, the student plans to focus her work diligently, extensively utilize ragtime history books for a solid foundation, and maintain regular check-ins with mentors to ensure timely progress. This guidance from mentors such as Glenda Rigby and Dr. Mike Weill is crucial for staying on track .

Mentorship is crucial in the student's project as it provides guidance, expertise, and accountability. Glenda Rigby, the senior project advisor, offers expertise in music history and oversees the project timeline and content. Additionally, Dr. Mike Weill brings his background in ragtime music to inform the quality and accuracy of the paper. These mentors ensure the project meets academic standards and remains focused and timely .

The interview with Jim Lang contributes significantly to the authenticity and depth of the project by providing expert insights and personal perspectives on ragtime performance. As a musician who records and performs ragtime, Lang offers unique, practical viewpoints that complement the historical research, thereby offering a richer, more nuanced understanding of the genre's enduring impact and performance practice .

The student employs several research methods including literature review, interviews, and music analysis. Molly Smith examines books about ragtime's history by authors like David Jasen and Rudi Blesh, listens to recordings of composers like John Boone, Scott Joplin, and James Scott, and conducts an interview with musician Jim Lang. This multifaceted approach allows her to analyze both historical texts and primary sources to understand these composers' impact .

Molly Smith identifies a gap in her understanding of how ragtime music started and its early composers, despite her familiarity with American jazz. To address this, she plans to conduct extensive research by reading books on ragtime history, listening to ragtime compositions, and interviewing experts. This approach will help her fill in these knowledge gaps and gain a comprehensive understanding of ragtime's origins .

This research project contributes to Molly Smith's academic and career aspirations by enhancing her knowledge of music history, which is essential for her application as a music major. The project allows her to delve into a specific area of music history—ragtime—that she is less familiar with, thereby expanding her academic breadth. Additionally, the insights gained and the research produced will strengthen her college entrance essays, showcasing her dedication and expertise in music history .

Missouri played a crucial role in the development and popularization of ragtime music globally. It was home to three of the most famous ragtime composers, John Boone, Scott Joplin, and James Scott, who significantly shaped the genre. Their work and performances helped establish Missouri as a center for ragtime music, contributing to its widespread popularity and enduring influence .

The project ensures comprehensive coverage and accuracy through a combination of historical research, music analysis, and interviews. Molly Smith will review several books, such as 'Rags and Ragtime,' and consult the collection at the State Historical Society Library. Additionally, she will interview Jim Lang, a musician specializing in ragtime, to gain firsthand insights and incorporate contemporary perspectives on ragtime music .

The student plans to integrate various resources into her final paper by writing a comprehensive history of ragtime, including a timeline, and resources for further listening and exploration. The project will also include photographs, illustrations, and an edited interview with musician Jim Lang, creating a robust and engaging narrative that enhances the understanding of ragtime music's history and significance .

The project timeline is organized across a semester with key milestones: September focuses on researching ragtime history and initiating the Jim Lang interview; October is dedicated to completing the first draft and receiving mentor feedback; November involves writing a second draft and further reviews; and December is for final writing and submission. Each stage is intended to balance detailed research with feedback loops, ensuring structured progression towards comprehensive completion .

You might also like