The Charles H. Templeton, Sr. Ragtime & Jazz Festival is an annual event hosted by the Mississippi State University Libraries as a means of showcasing the Charles H. Templeton, Sr. Music Museum and its vast collection of musical instruments and sheet music. The festival is designed to educate audiences on the early formers of American popular music, including but not limited to ragtime and early jazz, by bringing world class ragtime and jazz performers to conduct
educational seminars in the Templeton Museum, educational outreach program to schools, master classes for MSU Music Education students and public concerts.
The festival is a multi-faceted event encompassing free educational seminars during the daytime; a free 1920’s / 1930’s fashion show; free performances at local schools and evening concerts. Attending the evening concerts comes with a fee, while all other events are open to the public at no charge.
The festival begins on February 22 with the educational outreach programs with Louis Ford performing in local schools and Jeff and Anne Barnhart performing at French Camp Academy. On February 22 at 6:00 p.m. we will host the Gatsby Gala, a 1920s/1930s inspired fashion show. This will be held in
Mitchell Memorial Library. On February 23 and February 24, we will conduct tours of the museum and seminars from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in the
Charles H. Templeton, Sr. Music Museum located in Mitchell Memorial Library. Specific times for each seminar have not yet been determined.