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Advertisement 2AdvertisementThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content“He probably spent a 1,000 hours going frame by frame lining everything up, which is completely different from when the VSO does a Pixar film as they use a click track. In this score, the notation leaves some room in places for aligning if you are a little ahead or behind.”Article contentThe 90-minute score follows the chapter titles and storylines that appear on screen with recurring symphonic themes that represent the various characters to follow the flow of the film. While a delight to perform, Dala says the choir never gets to experience the movie as they are positioned below the screen facing forward. For those in the stands, it is a fully immersive experience of silent films as they once played at the Orpheum a century ago.Article content“It a fun thing to play and sing, with a really awesome band of both local jazz and classical musicians,” he said. “We’re very thrilled to be partnering with Vancouver Civic Theatres as they have done such a great job building their silent film program. Plus, the Monday before Halloween is a perfect time to present it.”Article contentArticle contentThis kind of unique presentation fits right in with the Vancouver Bach Choir Family of Choirs’ 95-year history, according to Dala. He says the inclusion of live vocals is unique for silent film screenings. Typical accompaniment is provided by a solo organ player.Article contentDirk is the official Vancouver civic organist and a veteran of the Silent Movie Mondays and the popular Royal Canadian College of Organists’ Halloween Organ Spooktacular, which takes place Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Shaugnhessy Church and again Oct. 31 at noon at Roy Barnett Hall, UBC.Article contentA busy local music educator and performer, Dirk also leads hands-on workshops on the Orpheum’s nearly century-old Mighty Wurlitzer 250 theatre organ. The instrument was designed and built to tie-in with the newly emerging technology of black-and-white silent films.Article content“For this show, I am playing when the Phantom is actually playing the organ,” said Dirk. “But without any other dedicated organ parts in the score at the moment, I’m also likely to be providing some additional sound effects needed along the way. The term ‘bells and whistles’ actually comes from the wide range of effects created on the Wurlitzer specifically for film screenings.”Article contentArticle contentDirk likens the pipe organ to the original medieval synthesizer able to emulate orchestral instruments and various sound effects. Combined with additional mechanisms ranging from ties of colour-coded pulls, four keyboards, 32 pedals and upper control pedals, one player can accompany an entire movie with no shortage of dramatic elements.Article content“Between all of those features, you can move from full throttle to far more controlled volume as needed,” he said. “Each player develops a signature style, from writing their own themes or melodies to other tricks. Mine is musical punnery, where I watch the score and film and try to identify common tunes like nursery rhymes or pop tunes the audience can identify with to add in.”Article contentSingular organist styles offer audiences a sound selection to suit particular films. Dirk works with two other players who bring different playing styles to the shows. The variety, he notes, breathes new life into silent film classics, such as his personal favourite Charlie Chaplin flicks. Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentVancouver Civic Theatres’ Krista Edwardson says the Silent Movie Mondays series was a dream of the theatre’s to provide people an opportunity to take in The Orpheum and its organ as they were once widely used.Article content“We wanted to give people the chance to come and enjoy the space as it was originally intended,” she said. “Since launching in 2023, we are aiming to give people a full experience with a live jazz band called the Gatsby Strutters to welcome them, the film and then a talk back with film expert Keith Blackmore. People often come dressed up, dance and make it a party.”Article contentThe Phantom of the Opera anniversary screening performance will not include the popular post-screening discussion session due to the film’s feature length.Article contentThe 1925 film was a full 107 minutes long on release. Where many screenings compiled a few shorter reels, longer features were becoming more common by the time of Phantom of the Opera’s release. The top-earning film of that year, director King Vidor’s The Big Parade, clocked in at a marathon 151 minutes.Article contentArticle contentThe special-edition screening of Phantom of the Opera opens the 2025-26 Silent Movie Mondays season. Next up is Douglas Fairbanks 1926 action drama The Black Pirate on Dec. 8; Clara Bow’s 1927 classic It on March 2, and director Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 thriller The Lodger on May 25.Article contentArticle contentLove concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances.Article content Featured Local Savings
