The Eastern Maine Pop Orchestra for young musicians (TEMPO) will perform the music for Charlie Chaplin’s silent film ‘The Gold Rush’ on January 25 at 7pm at the Grand in Ellsworth. This event kicks off the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Grand Auditorium.

Charlie Chaplin’s Gold Rush came out in 1925, starring Charlie himself as a traveling tramp to Yukon to take part in the Klondike Gold Rush. The film got a raving review in the New York Times in 1925: “…Here is a comedy with streaks of poetry, pathos, tenderness, linked with brusqueness and boisterousness. It is the outstanding gem of all Chaplin’s pictures, as it has more thought and originality than even such masterpieces of mirth as The Kid and Shoulder Arms-“Mordaunt Hall.

The audience visiting the Grand this night has not only the wonderful opportunity to see this gem of a film, but also to hear the talented young musicians of TEMPO perform and original score composed by orchestra leader Rebecca Edmondson. “Old black and white movies, especially silent films, have always been an interest of mine. There was an honesty of human emotion about them. When Executive Director of The Grand, Zoe Scott, inquired if the TEMPO musicians would be interested in doing a live performance for Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush, and presented me with the concept of composing the ninety-five minute score, I eagerly accepted! The rendezvous of drama, costumes and dance unite on screen with live music creates a visual and aural extravaganza. Something magical happens when the house lights are dimmed and the music stand lights are turned on. To me, performing for The Gold Rush would prove to be the ultimate pit orchestra experience for Maine’s young musicians.”

Charlie Chaplin hoped that the Gold Rush would be the film by which he would remembered and after hearing this young orchestra play, hopefully they will be remembered as well. The talent of these fine young musicians is amazing, with the youngest musician being only ten-years old. The musicians come from the MDI area, Ellsworth and beyond and as far as Benedicta. TEMPO is non-profit and fiscally sponsored by the Town Hill Village Improvement Society.