The Glenn Jenks Ragtime Revue Board voted unanimously last Saturday morning, September 11, 2021, to cancel this year’s Ragtime Revue scheduled for Sunday, October 10, at the Camden Opera House for a second year in a row.

The Board decided that in the best interest of the performers and the audience to err on the side of caution; taking into consideration the recent rise in COVID cases and what that would mean for those participating in the event.

“Regrettably, we have decided to cancel the 2021 Ragtime Review because of COVID concerns,” said Board President, Chris Tofani, in a Glenn Jenks Ragtime Revue Board news release. “We look forward to the time when we can offer a safe and pleasurable event for performers and audience alike.”

On the program was ragtime pianist Ethan Uslan from Charlotte, North Caroline, the Daponte String Quartet (who programmed two selections from Jenk’s String Quartet in Ragtime), soloists Erin Chenard, soprano and David Myer’s, Jr, baritone along with a ragtime chorus was slated to present numbers from Scott Joplin’s ragtime opera: Treemonisha.

In addition, this year’s Glenn Jenks Ragtime Emeritus Award was to be presented to longtime singing partner of Jenks: Susan Boyce. Sixteen year old fiddler Owen Kennedy, recipient of the Glenn Jenk’s “Future in Music” Prize presented by the Bay Chamber Music School through the “Young Stars of Maine” program and sponsored by the Ragtime Revue, was scheduled to open the show.

“It is bittersweet to once again cancel this event,” said Artistic Director Aaron Robinson. “We had an incredible line-up of performers and entertainment.”

Breaking the news to the performers was met with mixed emotions. All were understanding, (some even relieved) yet each musician and ensemble member pledged their participation for next year’s Revue.

“We are hopeful that next year things will return to normal and we will be able to celebrate ragtime with renewed vigor and enthusiasm,” said Vice-President, Suzy Hallett.

The Ragtime Revue was created by Robinson to remember and honor the music of pianist, composer and musicologist Glenn Jenks from Camden who presented an annual Ragtime Harvest Revue for 12 years starting in 1989. Jenks passed away in February of 2016, but left a legacy of recordings and compositions.