This presentation will explore the diverse music performed for silent films, with a focus on the instrument that was most common in movie theaters at the time: the piano. The silent film era was a relatively brief period which saw the rise of a booming yet chaotic industry for musicians, and which would end abruptly once sound on film was invented, leaving more musicians unemployed than at any other period in time.

Nathan Shirley has performed for a wide variety of silent films over the years, including some newly restored 35mm prints at the North Carolina Museum of Art Film Festival. The presentation will include a silent film performance or two.

• 10 AM - 10:15 AM - Coffee/Refreshments

• 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM - Announcements

• 10:30 AM - 12 PM - Presentation