Ragtime became America’s pop music at the turn of the 20^th century, and the work of composers like Scott Joplin still influence the jazz and second line music we hear today.

The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra (PRO) continues the legacy of that music in the 21^st century with performances of classic ragtime at concert halls across the country. They also pair their music with iconic silent films to give audiences an experience that’s now more than a hundred years old.

Richard Benjamin, founder and artistic director of PRO, explains his inspiration for the project and previews the event at the State Theater in Auburn this Saturday.