Paragon Ragtime Orchestra
The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra is the world’s only year-round, professional ensemble re-creating “America’s Original Music” - the syncopated sounds of early musical theater, silent cinema, and vintage dance.
In 1988 the Orchestra made its formal debut at Alice Tully Hall – the first concert ever presented at Lincoln Center by such an ensemble. Since then PRO has appeared at hundreds of leading arts venues, including the Ravinia Festival, the Smithsonian Institute, Chautauqua, Brucknerhaus, the New York 92nd Street Y and the American Dance Festival.
In addition to its worldwide concert hall, university and festival appearances, the PRO has acquired a considerable following by way of its radio programmes on the New York Times’ WQXR, NPR (All Things Considered, Performance Today and others), the BBC and the Voice of America networks. Since 1989, the Walt Disney Company has relied on the Orchestra’s recordings for the outdoor ambiance music played on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, Disney World and Disneyland Paris Additionally, the PRO strengthened its international following during its extended engagement as a U.S. Ambassador of Goodwill at the 1992 World’s Universal Exposition in Seville, Spain.
Over the years, the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra has been heard on the soundtracks of several motion pictures and television programmes. The orchestra’s audio and video recordings have been widely praised and considered instrumental in rekindling interest in America’s rich traditions in theater, cinema and dance orchestra music.