Ragtime (Flaherty/Ahrens), part 1

Listen Up: Seminars on Music is a weekly gathering of music lovers every Wednesday morning, hosted by AZMF’s Resident Artist, Josh Condon.  Each session combines music history, analysis, active listening, and discussion, designed to enhance your listening experience and overall music appreciation.  Listen Up covers all genres, emphasizing our common humanity across all musical styles!  Coffee and refreshments provided.

A sweeping portrait of America at the turn of the 20th century, Ragtime is a musical that blends hope, heartbreak, and history with an unforgettable score. In this seminar, we’ll explore how Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty use music—from ragtime piano to soaring ballads—to give voice to a diverse cast of characters navigating race, immigration, wealth, and justice. Through close listening and guided discussion, we’ll examine how the score deepens the show’s themes and what makes Ragtime both a period piece and a timely reflection of American identity. Bring your thoughts, your questions, and perhaps a favorite moment or lyric that’s stayed with you.