This year will see the ninth annual Bob Becker Ragtime Xylophone Institute held at the University of Delaware in Newark, DE. Last summer we moved to the new Music Building, with its large performance/lecture room and lovely recital hall. UDel has a great infrastructure for summer programs like ours, and there are practice rooms and keyboard instruments for all participants.

Daily activities include a technique class, an improvisation class, an historical listening session and ensemble rehearsals. Each participant is placed in a quintet, and these groups perform the repertoire for the final concert on Saturday night. These concerts have become quite popular over the years, and last summer there was standing room only. A special event this year will be a presentation by Ryan Lewis, a graduate student who has been doing significant research on George Hamilton Green and his performance career. Ryan recently has had unique access to the Green family archives and scrapbooks, and we are excited to find out what he has discovered.

To apply for a place in this summer’s institute, contact Harvey Price at hprice@udel.edu. Click on bobbeckerragtime09 to download a flyer with a course description and information about fees and accommodations. I hope to see you there!