BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – IU Auditorium will host another Facebook Live event with IU alum and renowned cinema organist Dennis James on Thursday, June 11 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT. The event will go live on IU Auditorium’s Facebook page which can be found at Facebook.com/iuauditorium or by searching for “IU Auditorium” on the Facebook app on any device.

 

James is an annual favorite on IU Auditorium’s season schedule with Dennis James Hosts Halloween taking place every October as he brings silent films to life. This spooky spectacular event has been a part of IU Auditorium for over half a century. James annually provides the soundtrack to classic silent horror films playing on IU Auditorium’s 4,543 pipe organ creating a unique theatrical experience.

 

In October 2018, James celebrated his 50^th anniversary of the event as part of the 2018–2019 IU Auditorium season. For the special event, he provided the soundtrack for the silent film classic, The Phantom of the Opera, with the accompaniment of a full student orchestra.

 

James began formal organ training in his hometown of Philadelphia at the age of 12. He attended Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music as a student of concert and church organ performance, earning his Bachelor's and Master's degrees under the tutelage of Dr. Oswald Ragatz.

 

James has played a pivotal role in the international revival of silent films with live music. Beginning as an accompanist for university screenings, James now tours worldwide under auspices of his Silent Film Concerts production company presenting professional silent film programs with accompaniments ranging from solo piano or theatre organ to chamber ensembles and full symphony orchestras.

 

In recent years, James has performed silent film programs with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Orchestra Hall and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at Meyerson Symphony Center and his international silent film presentations have been seen most recently in Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, England, Singapore, France, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, and Italy.

 

For more about James, visit https://www.atos.org/artist/dennis-james.