Every year over Memorial Day weekend in Oxford, Mississippi, the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest is held to provide an opportunity for pianists to compete and learn in a stimulating atmosphere, and to educate people about old-time piano music written prior to 1940.

Through the years, the contest has provided more than $60,000 in prize money to more than 500 piano players from across the United States and from five foreign countries. Players in 2024 will compete in three divisions—Regular, Junior & Senior—as they vie for cash prizes totaling $10,000 plus trophies—as well as the New Rag Contest, where aspiring composers present their original tunes.

A variety of other activities include workshops, guest artist performances, silent movies, an old-time sing-along, and after-hours events every night.

This is a weekend packed with Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley and Standard tunes played by amazing piano players. You don’t have to play piano to enjoy music that will have your toes tapping. You’ll have the time of your life at the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest.

May 23, 2024

7:30 pm  Guest Artist Concert: Judy Carmichael, piano & Larry Koonse, guitar $20 at Nutt Auditorium

Join us for an incredible concert featuring jazz icon Judy Carmichael and guitarist Larry Koonse in Nutt Auditorium
Grammy nominated pianist/vocalist, Judy Carmichael is one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride and swing piano. Count Basie nicknamed her “Stride,” acknowledging the command with which she plays this technically and physically demanding jazz piano style

May 24, 2024

9:00am - Presentation with Judy Carmichael and Larry Koonse $15
10:30am - Trolley Tour of Historic Oxford $15
12:15pm - Mexican Luncheon at The Powerhouse with Paul Orsi MENU $22 [Not included in all-event or day passes]
2:00pm - Ian Hominick Presentation: Wild About Jazz: Earl Wild’s Excursion on the ‘Dark Side’ $15
3:00pm - Todd Robbins Presentation: So the Story Goes: the Surprising Tales Behind American Popular Music $15
6:00pm New Rag Contest $15
Friday Afterhours at The Powerhouse $15
8:00pm - Tune-Ups Party

May 25, 2024

8:00am - Draw for playing order – ALL contestants (Rm. #153)
9:00am - Preliminary Round $25
11:45am - Silent Movie Luncheon with Adam Swanson (UM Band Hall) $25
Join 4-time champion Adam Swanson as he plays along to two classic silent films from the age of silent movies. Box lunch provided.
1:00pm - Preliminary Round continues …
6:00pm - Southern Catfish Dinner at The Powerhouse with music by Bobby van Deusen MENU $40 [*Vegetarian option provided / NOT included in all-event or day passes]
Saturday Afterhours at The Powerhouse $20
7:30pm - An Hour with Ted Lemen (Before He’s Gone)  
8:30pm - Old-Time Sing-along
9:15pm - Dr. Warren Ertle and the Corpse Revivers (old-time band)
10:00pm - Various pianists on stage

May 26, 2024

9:00am - Master Class for Junior Contestants with Bill McNally free admission
10:55am - Service at Oxford United Methodist Church with music by Bobby van Deusen
1:00pm - Regular Division Semi-Finals and Finals / Seniors’ Final $25
Sunday Afterhours at The Powerhouse $15
7:00pm - Red, White & Blue Finale 
Date: May 23-26, 2024

Location: Various Venue in Oxford

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