Free Silent Film: The Black Pirate

Name: Free Silent Film: The Black Pirate
Start: 2026-05-31T16:00:00-04:00
Location: 444 E Broad St, Columbus, OH, United States, Ohio 43215

Schedule

Sun, 31 May, 2026 at 04:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

444 E Broad St, Columbus, OH, United States, Ohio 43215 | Columbus, OH

Set sail for adventure with one of the great swashbuckling classics of the silent era! Join us on Sunday, May 31 at 4pm at First Congregational Church in downtown Columbus for a free screening of The Black Pirate (1926), starring Douglas Fairbanks, accompanied live on the church’s magnificent 1931 Kimball organ by acclaimed organist Brett Miller. Experience the excitement, romance, and daring exploits of this silent film masterpiece brought vividly to life through thrilling live accompaniment in the beautiful sanctuary of First Church. Fun for all ages — with free admission and parking!
About the artist:
As one of the youngest in a rare art form, Brett Miller is an active organist, conductor, and arranger specializing in silent film accompaniment. Currently, he is the Assistant conductor of the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and the Eastman Philharmonia.
In the Spring of 2021, he was appointed Music Director of the Empire Film and Media Ensemble, an ensemble based in Rochester, NY, that advocates for the education, performance, and production of film music. In the Fall of 2022, he was appointed Artistic Director of the organization. Brett shares a close relationship between the ensemble and the Beal Institute of Film and Contemporary Media at the Eastman School of Music.
His recent scores have been recorded with organizations such as the Eye Filmmuseum, the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Murnau Foundation, and Kino Lober Classics. He has been featured in the past at various film festivals and has played events in conjunction with film preservationists from the Library of Congress and George Eastman House. Highlights include sold-out performances of Nosferatu at Verizon Hall in conjunction with the Philadelphia Orchestra, The Boston Pops, and Houston Symphony. He is a frequent recitalist at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, playing the world’s largest pipe organ.
Brett studied organ with renowned organist Jelani Eddington and piano with Beth Crompton. He studied film accompaniment with Ben Model and Bernie Anderson. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting at the Eastman School of Music where he studies with Neil Varon.