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AUGUST 25 · 7:30pm
NOT-SO-SILENT
MOVIE NIGHT
Featuring Laurel & Hardy films with organist Russ Peck
PROGRAM
This concert is kindly sponsored by:
Peter and Connie Van Putten in memory of Aunt Leona Johnson, who loved Movie Night, Ed and Eveline Eng
1920s Style Organ Solos until the darkness of the night takes over the Pavilion (normally 30’)
-FILMS-
"Putting Pants on Philip", 1927 (approx. 20’)
"Two Tars", 1928 (approx. 20’)
"Liberty", 1929 (approx. 20’)
BIOGRAPHY
Russ Peck
Russ Peck began his musical studies with piano in 1965, moving to the organ in 1970. He studied under an organ scholarship at Whitman College with Professor Stanley R. Plummer, graduating in 1980.
Mr. Peck specializes in the creation and performance of silent film scores to authentically recreate the movie going experience prior to the advent of sound. He played his first public film performance in 1981 under the tutelage of Colonel Harry J. Jenkins, a former Boston area 1920s silent film organist. Russ performs regularly on the Spreckels Organ, where he also works as the Associate Curator, one of his duties as an employee of the L.W. Blackinton and Associates organ building company. He has also played 11 silent film seasons at San Diego Symphony Hall/Jacobs Music Center and is House Organist and Associate Curator for the Balboa Theatre in San Diego, currently performing for their “Silent Mondays” film series. Another regular venue for Russ has been for the silent film series at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse in San Gabriel, California.
In addition to his theatre organ work, Russ is the organist and music director for Resurrection Lutheran Church on Coronado Island on a pipe organ that he helped restore and install. He is also the Principal Tympanist for the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra and has worked as a tympanist and percussionist for the The Imperial Valley Symphony, The Coronado Concert Band, and The Hillcrest Wind Ensemble, as well as other musical organizations.
Formerly a Video Engineer for 28 years with Voice and Video in San Diego, Russ now owns and operates V dash V Service, specializing in the the repair and restoration of vintage audio and motion picture equipment. One of his current projects is designing vacuum tube analog special effects for the “Drumetrics” company in San Diego. He also operates ham radio station KG6CLA, primarily with vintage equipment.
Lastly, Russ is an active member of both the “American Theatre Organ Society” and the “American Guild of Organists”, recently being the recipient of the AGO's “Outstanding Performer 2025” award from the San Diego chapter.
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