Instrumentation :
Piccolo
Flute I and II
Oboe I and II
Bassoon 1 and II
Bb clarinet I, II and III
Bass Clarinet
Alto Saxophone I and II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet I and II
F Horn I and II
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba
Percussion 1: snare drum
Percussion II: bass drum, triangle
"The Ragtime Dance" was first performed in Sedalia, Missouri in 1899 as a "folk ballet" set to ragtime
music. The narrator describes a "dark town" ball which ends with a cakewalk. Tis version includes
choreography for four couples. The piece was then published in this version in 1902. In 1906, a shorter
version for piano solo was published, which uses fewer thems and omits the narration. This version uses
the original 1902 version as a basis.
The work may be performed as a concert band number, or the orchestration may be used to perform the original
ballet. The "stoptime" effects at the end of the piece are especially effective in the version with dancers.