Music in the Silent Films of Uxbridge ~ February 15, 2025
How Silent were Silent Films?
The silents of the roaring twenties may not have had speech, but they had sound. And that sound was non-stop music.
Assisted by local musicians, John Haines will present on February 15th at 7PM at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on “The Music of Silent Films in Uxbridge and Environs.” Be sure not to miss this unforgettable all-ages event!
The story begins with travelling film exhibitors whose music ranged from gramophone recordings to songs like the ones performed on February 15th by the Two Johns & Two Rehills Barbershop Quartet. Later, in the 1910s, several movie theatres opened in Uxbridge. All had piano accompanists, and you will hear a real live one or two on February 15th.
Our journey into Uxbridge’s cinematic past will end with a brief history of the Strand Theatre in the 1920s. By then, Uxbridge was a veritable hotbed of music. There were choirs and bands, operas and minstrel shows, not to mention factories making pianos and gramophone players that were sold across Canada. No surprise, music was also a constant at the Strand—live music, performed during films and in between movie reels.
As quickly as the music of silent films began, it ended with the coming of the talkies. A whole world of live music-making died, replaced by the film soundtrack and the passive approach to music that still plagues us today.
Leave your couch at home! Come discover the lost sounds of Uxbridge’s early movies on February 15th! Admission is free, and live entertainment is guaranteed. Don’t be the one who missed the musical event that everyone will be talking about long after it’s over!
No tickets required, doors open at 6:30!
Posted on: January 22nd, 2025
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Hi there. Can you get tickets for this event ahead of time?
Thanks, Nancy
Hi Nancy, there are no tickets required for this event. Hope to see you there!
Hello! I see that this musical event is free, but are tickets required?
Hi Kathy, thank you for your question! No tickets are required for this event.
Will this special music event still on for tonight? It’s already started to snow here, before noon and become much heavier in an hours time. I really want to hear it but don’t suppose I will risk it if it gets anywhere as bad as the forecast is!
To those of you who may be wondering: the event is still taking place tonight! We promised to be done by 8:30.