Southwestern College is offering an unusual experience during Homecoming 2014 with the presentation of the classic 1925 silent film “The Phantom of the Opera” with live organ music by Brett Valliant on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m., in the Richardson Performing Arts Center (RPAC).

“The ability to provide a silent film with live organ accompaniment is unique to Richardson Performing Arts Center,” says Jessica Falk, director of camps, conferences, and events at Southwestern College.  “Renowned organist Brett Valliant is able to enhance a classic movie with his interpretations on the Reuter pipe organ, so that those who attend can experience ‘Phantom of the Opera’ much in the way original viewers did in the 1920s.”

Valliant is well known for scoring and accompanying films but is best known for dramatic films such as “King of Kings,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Ten Commandments,” “Broken Blossoms,” “Wings,” and “The Eagle.”  He plays annually for film festivals including the International Film Festival hosted by the American Film Institute, and has been a featured performer at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the American Theatre Organ Society.  Critics have defined his performances as exciting, refreshing, unorthodox, and astonishing.  Valliant has three solo recordings to his credit as well as a number of studio projects with other musicians.  

Valliant lives in Wichita where he is a full time musician at First United Methodist Church, overseeing a music department seen by thousands across the Midwest on the church’s television programs.

Tickets cost $15 for general admission, $12 for Southwestern College alumni, and $8 for students.  For more information, contact Falk at (620) 229-6141.  According to Falk, patrons can also purchase tickets online at www.sckans.edu/phantom.  

“We are excited to announce our new online ticketing system,” Falk says.  “Patrons now have the ability to order tickets for programs offered by RPAC Presents events using our secure online box office.  For a limited time as patrons become accustomed to using the online system we will be waiving online box office fees.”