 The Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation (SJIRF) is initiating a series of internet-based concerts to support artists struggling due to pandemic cancellations of most live performances. We invite you to tune in Saturday, September 26 at 8:15 PM (eastern) time to view performances by Ethan Leinwand and Richard Dowling along with SJIRF Artistic Director, Bryan Wright who serves as host.
To view the concert via YouTube, copy or click this link: https://youtu.be/qRR6htsVlls or our YouTube home page link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdY4SiLQYo2hSRK82wyfp3Q To view the concert on Facebook: watch it at https://www.facebook.com/ScottJoplinRagtimeFoundation While the SJIRF has provided each performer with a small stipend for their time and talent, any ‘tips’ you can offer will be greatly appreciated by the artists. You can donate NOW by clicking on this link: https://www.scottjoplin.org/donate.html Or, you can mail a donation to: Syncopated Saturday Night Scott Joplin Ragtime Foundation PO Box 1244 Sedalia, MO 65302 100% of donations will be shared evenly by Ethan and Richard! For more information on Ethan Leinwand: http://www.ethanleinwand.com/ For more information on Richard Dowling: http://www.richard-dowling.com/recordings We regret to announce the passing of Nevin A. Almquist, 78, on March 17, 2020.
Through the years Nevin participated in many Sedalia area volunteer activities: he served as President of the Sacred Heart School Board, President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Scott Joplin Foundation (he was our hands-on Mr. Fixit during the Festival), unofficial team Doc for his children's sports teams, member of the Pettis County Community Partnership and sang in a barbershop chorus. But perhaps his most enjoyable duty was to be with his wife as the unofficial door greeter at the Scott Joplin ‘afterglow’ later in the evenings of the Festival. Everyone knew Nevin and his wife Jean, and the contributions they made to the community. He was born on May 18, 1941, in Osage, Iowa to Delmar and Irma Almquist. He graduated from Osage High School in 1959 and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State College of Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1963. He then moved to Amarillo, Texas teaching biology and serving as Athletic Trainer for Caprock High School. He left Amarillo in 1965 to attend Indiana University, receiving a master's degree in Health and Safety in 1966. The following year he received a degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa. Once he had his Physical Therapy degree, he moved to Sedalia as the Director of the Physical Therapy Department at Bothwell Regional Medical Center. After many years in this role he expanded his duties to include community out-reach. Nevin was preceded in death by his parents and survived by his wife, Jean, daughter Denise, son Kevin (Suzanne), four grandchildren, and a brother, David (Marita) Almquist. With the current Covid-19 precautions, we are unfortunately unable to celebrate Nevin's life as a big group. Instead, we plan to have a celebration of his life at a later date when we can all get together and share stories of his life and times! The family suggests contributions to the following organizations: The Bothwell Foundation c/o Nevin Almquist Memorial at 601 E. 14th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301 or online at: this address. In the comments section notify funds are for the Nevin Almquist Memorial – this will be a fund specifically used for those interested in pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy, or The Canon Cancer Center at Bothwell Regional Health Center. Arrangements are under the direction of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel. With all factors considered associated with the corona-virus, a decision has been made to cancel the 2020 Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival. This decision is supported by festival partners - the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation Board, the Sedalia Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Sedalia Area Tourism Commission, and the City of Sedalia.
The decision to cancel now, rather than later, permits the Foundation to secure deposit refunds on pianos, venues, marketing, insurance and other expenses incidental to the operation of the 2020 Festival. We’re disappointed to announce this decision but we’ve already received many requests for ticket cancellation and don’t expect virus concerns will abate soon enough for us to proceed confidently with Festival plans this year. We wish you good health and urge you to remain vigilant as the Covid-19 virus crisis unfolds in the coming weeks or months. We will re-focus on the 2021 Festival (June 2-5, 2021) and continue to promote ragtime and our Festival through our web site and Facebook page.  The Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation (SJIRF) of Sedalia, Missouri is proud to announce Ragtime Kids, an innovative program to inspire young performers and researchers to create new ragtime music and discover more of its history. The objectives include activities to educate junior high and high school students on the significance of ragtime music, on the influence of Scott Joplin, and on the American music history that was made in Sedalia. Funding for the program comes from public contributions to the Foundation in memory of Larry Karp, a ragtime enthusiast and important author on ragtime history. Karp wrote the definitive biography of ragtime legend Brun Campbell (Brun Campbell: The Original Ragtime Kid, 2016). SJIRF President, John Simmons, said “Our foundation is committed to advancing the reach of our ragtime heritage and culture. It is our mission to educate and promote ragtime’s contribution to American music. The Ragtime Kids program is well suited to the enthusiasm that youth have for this music once they discover it. Building on that excitement, with an outlet and pathway that they can travel, builds a foundation for future generations”. Through an application and selection process, a winner will receive a $500 cash award to be applied toward continuing music education and for offsetting expenses to attend the SJRF Festival. Complimentary items include a Festival ticket package and Festival memorabilia. The real bonuses are the opportunities to meet and mingle with ragtime performers, to perform on stage with festival headliners, and to assist in the development of future festivals. An application can be downloaded by clicking here. Applications must be received by April 1, 2020. Winners will be contacted after April 1 and announced at the 2020 Festival May 27-30. 
 Sedalia resident, Nancy Moss, was presented with the Chrysanthemum Award at the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival May 30, 2019. Moss told the crowd during the presentation at a concert intermission “I’m truly honored”. She also thanked her family for “putting up with me in my Scott Joplin mode for more than 23 years”.
John Simmons, President of the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation, noted the first-ever Chrysanthemum Award is a “pinnacle” award that won’t be given annually. Instead, it will be presented periodically to those who are found to be a ‘curator of ragtime culture’. Nancy has attended every Festival since its inception in 1974. She has also served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors for 22 years and given monetary contributions for 28 years. She also began the Festival’s Hospitality Room 20 years ago to provide refreshments and food to ragtime performers between performances. Simmons noted, “she’s got that institutional knowledge and you can count on Nancy not to let something slip by…I can’t say enough about her focus, her passion and sense of duty”. Information sourced from Faith Bemiss’ article in the Sedalia Democrat |
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