This amazingly authentic-sounding work in the ragtime style is a great tool for teaching syncopation and ensemble precision. Full of fun and good spirits, it includes a clever part for woodblock (written in the 1st violin part) which can be played by a string student or added percussionist. For even more fun, the woodblock part can be divided up between a number of instruments (slide whistle, slapstick, etc.) for some hilarious effects. This work by Richard Meyer is a “must-do” for second- and third-year orchestras. (Grade 2 – Correlates with Strictly Strings Book 2, page 13)