CANYON, Texas — A silent Buster Keaton film gets new life in an upcoming screening with the West Texas A&M University Symphony Orchestra.

Keaton’s classic “The General” will be screened with live orchestral accompaniment at 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at the La Rita Performing Arts Theatre, 311 Denrock Ave. in Dalhart. Admission is free.

The film also will be screened for members of The Arts at WT: A Subscription Series at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 in Legacy Hall in the Jack B. Kelley Student Center on WT’s Canyon campus. Membership is required but can be purchased at the event for a pro-rated cost.

In the heyday of silent films, movie theaters would provide live musical accompaniment, ranging from a piano in a small theater to a full orchestra in large theaters in major metropolitan areas.

Dr. Mark Bartley, WT’s Lilith Brainard Professor of Music and director of orchestral activities, and the WT Symphony Orchestra have revived that tradition with their Live Cinema series, an every-other-year event held both on and off campus.

“For most films, theater music directors would string together popular and classical hits that fit the overall themes of the movie,” Bartley said. “But for us, Dr. B.J. Brooks has written a new scene-specific score that is performed in synchronization with the film by the WT Symphony. This soundtrack is in a contemporary cinematic style that speaks to the central element of the film—namely the comedic, acrobatic feats of Keaton himself.”

This is the fifth silent film score written by Brooks, who now serves as director of WT’s School of Music.

“In most types of composition, the job of engaging the audience is weighed heavily on the audio alone. Though watching performers at a high level is part of the experience, it is the aural component that compels the audience’s imagination,” Brooks said. “Writing for ballet, film or any accompanying visual is vitally different. To be able to write a score to accompany or augment the image presents so many wonderful opportunities to connect to the audience member in a very direct and unified way.

“Additionally, writing music for silent films allows for a more direct and unified connection with the audience,” Brooks continued. “Because the audience is not preoccupied with dialogue or ambient sounds, the music can take the lead in guiding their emotional journey.”

The WT Symphony Orchestra’s free appearance at the La Rita is made possible in part through Showcase in a Suitcase. This outreach effort by WT’s Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities is designed to enhance education and cultural experiences for the citizens of the Texas Panhandle. Showcase in a Suitcase receives funds through an endowment established by Louise and Gene Rahll.

“Audiences are drawn not just for the powerful audio effect of a full orchestral soundtrack performed live, but to watch non-CGI movies featuring dramatic effects rendered in real life by the actual actors without the benefit of stunt doubles,” Bartley said. “Buster Keaton pulls off physically harrowing stunts that would deter even Tom Cruise.”

Fostering an appreciation of the arts is a key component of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $150 million.

2023 WT Symphony Orchestra Roster

1st Violin

Josenir Junior, graduate student in music performance from Criciúma, Brazil

Jose Luis Forero Daza, graduate student in music performance from Bogotá, Columbia

João Paulo Grissoe, sophomore music performance major from Linz, Brazil

Cade Foard, sophomore accounting major from Amarillo

Indra Aguirre Sankar, graduate student in music performance from Bogotá, Columbia

Tatiana Kolesnik, senior music performance major from Saint Petersburg, Russia

Hollie White, sophomore music performance major from Plainview

Matthew Loyd, senior music education major from Pampa

2nd Violin

Keila Batista, graduate student in music performance from São José, Brazil

Marissa Partida, senior music performance major from Victoria

Luis Lozano, graduate student in music performance from Bogotá, Columbia

Michael Mata, senior music performance major from Victoria

Cassidy DeMarais, junior music education major from Rockwall

McKenzie Bonner, senior music education major from Midland

Elena Moreno, junior music education major from Amarillo

Viola

Jasmin Caldera, junior health sciences major from Amarillo

Mia Brandyberry, senior English, language arts and reading education major from Amarillo

Kendall Uribe, freshman music education major from El Paso

J’Sean Berillo, freshman music performance major from Lubbock

Susan Milligan, community member and WT alumna

Dr. Robert Hansen, WT faculty

Cello

Anna Ng, junior biology major from Amarillo

Eduardo Esparza, freshman music performance major from Amarillo

Rodrigo Alonzo, junior music performance major from Amarillo

Bethany Mueller, graduate student in music performance from Amarillo

Katherine Cook, sophomore music therapy major from Midland

Christian Morris, sophomore social sciences major from Amarillo

Tristan Tilman, senior music industry major from Alamogordo, New Mexico

Drake Klepzig, freshman animal science major from Mount Pleasant

Bass

Ryan Evans, junior music education major from Amarillo

Jose Gerardo Gardea Yepiz, senior music performance major from El Paso

Emily Arciniega, junior music education major from McKinney

Joe David Romo, senior music education major from Amarillo

Kortni VanDamme, junior music industry major from Amarillo

Marcus Curnutte, junior music education major from Midland

Carson King, sophomore music education major from Rockdale

Flute

Broderick A. McQuarters, graduate student in music performance from Tulsa, Oklahoma

Kyndahl Britton, junior music performance major from Pflugerville

Alejandra Mulgado, graduate student in music performance from Clovis, New Mexico

Oboe

Tobin Brooks, senior music education major from Canyon

Abigail Hite, senior music performance major from Nashville

Clarinet

Dayton Scholz, junior music education major from Amarillo

Joey Henriquez, senior music industry major from Arlington

Bassoon

Kegan Otoole, junior business administration major from Friendswood

Meghan Brooks, senior music education major from Canyon

Horn

Norrin Hodgson, senior music education major from Odessa

Christopher Santiago, junior music education major from Odessa

Carlie Marcotte, senior music education major from Lewisville

Kinslea Blau, freshman music education major from Odessa

Kevin Olivas, freshman music performance major from Amarillo

Trumpet

Emily Sotelo, graduate student in music performance from Midland

Brayden York, junior music education major from Odessa

Gisselle Martinez, freshman music education major from Amarillo

Trombone

Abraham Wood, senior music performance major from Floresville

Spencer Owens, junior music education major from Levelland

Bass Trombone

Justin Slaughter, senior music education major from Odessa

Tuba

Lucas Martinez, senior music education major from Lewisville

Percussion

Hien Doan, senior music education major from Amarillo

Caleb Martin, graduate student in music performance from Plainview

Colton Gallandat, junior music education major from Joshua

Mason McWest, sophomore music education major from Amarillo

Brandon Garcia, sophomore music education major from Amarillo

Aidan Caballero, sophomore music education major from Odessa

Harp

Luke Rodriguez, senior music technology major from Rosenberg