When you put years into repairing a church organ, a celebration might feel warranted.
First United Methodist Church in Duluth has just finished renovating their fifty-year-old organ and has chosen a unique way to herald the instrument's return to form. On Friday, March 7th, the church will host a screening of the 1923 silent film Safety Last with organ accompaniment.
"You don't get to experience this very often," says Velda Graham Bell, Director of Music at First United Methodist. "At one time, when silent films were the thing... there were people that played the organ or the piano to accompany." In 2025, musicians with the skills and experience to take on the role of 'silent film accompanist' are few and far between, but they are out there. Milwaukee organist Jelani Eddington will take a seat at the organ on Friday and provide the musical score.
The performance/screening begins at 7pm. For more information, visit the First United Methodist Church website.
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