From Rag to Rap

Join musician Ralph Wilder and his band, The Ralph Wilder Orchestra, on a bright and upbeat tour of American popular music. From Rag to Rap opens with popular music from the early 20th century and continues, chronologically, to the present. Beginning with rag-time using examples of music by Scott Joplin, and moving through World War I and into the swing era--Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, WWII, and more, the show proceeds to early rock n' roll, including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson, and concludes with examples of the newest hip hop music of today including Beyonce Knowles and many others. This musical exploration encourages students to discover the history of American culture through popular music. Audience participation is a highlight and brings the performance to a rousing conclusion as several students and a selected teacher get to perform (rap) with the band.

• Availability: Monday to Friday
• For all ages

Technical Requirements

• Electrical outlets