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. Founded in 1987 by Rick Benjamin, the Orchestra made its formal debut in 1987 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 venues throughout the world. The 12-piece Paragon Ragtime Orchestra utilizes original arrangements of music from, typically, the 1890s through the 1920s and has released 21 CDs/LPs. A stickler for creating the authentic flavor of the period, Mr. Benjamin insists that only musical instruments manufactured before 1923 be used in his orchestra. 

    The PRO April 5 concert, “A Pageant of American Music,” has been specially assembled for the Capitol, and will feature the music of Scott Joplin, George Gershwin, John Philip Sousa, Irving Berlin, Victor Herbert, Stephen Foster, Ferdie Grofé, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, and more!  A special guest will be renowned theater organist David Peckham, who will perform with the orchestra on the Capitol’s original installation Moller Theatre Organ.

Adults $25, Seniors/Students/Military $22, Capitol Friends $20, Children (12 and under) $18.