Concord University Professor of Music to accompany silent film later this month

ATHENS, WV (WVDN) – Concord University will be showing the silent film The General on Thursday, September 26 at 7p.m. in the Anderson Family Theatre, located in the Alexander Fine Arts Center on the Concord University campus. Dr. Jacob Womack, the Dr. Joseph Marsh Endowed Associate Professor of Music at Concord University, will be playing the piano part during the showing. The general public is invited to join the Concord University community in attending this recital at no charge.

The General is one of the most revered comedies of the silent film era and widely considered to be one of the top films ever produced. The film was released in 1926 and features Buster Keaton as Johnny Gray and Marion Mack as Annabelle Lee. Inspired by a true story, the film takes you on an adventure led by a hapless Southern railroad engineer, Johnny Gray. When his finance, Annabelle Lee is accidently taken away by Northern soldiers, Johnny pursues her in a series of locomotive chases and countless hilarious mishaps. Many scenes from this film are used today in television commercials, most notably the railroad ties scene.

Silent films were often accompanied by live music, typically on organ or piano. Dr. Jacob Womack has transcribed the original piano score for the film and will be accompanying his transcription during the showing. The piano part highlights special effects and adds to the comedy.

Dr. Womack is a native of Beckley and was a prize winner in numerous piano competitions and festivals. He specializes in jazz piano of the 1920s and 1930s.

For more information, contact Dr. Jacob Womack at 304-384-5306.

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