I. Philosopher's Rag
II. Olive Branch Rag

In an effort to find entertaining material for the clarinet ensemble I direct at the Community School of Music and Arts in Ithaca, I decided to write a series of ragtime pieces.

The wistful Philosopher's Rag is my favorite of the rags. It also exists in an arrangement for piano solo. Both rags feature fugal passages and contrapuntal give-and-take among the four instruments.