My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

UP AGAINST THE SCREEN Film Concert Comes to Pepperdine Amphitheatre

By:

Pepperdine University's Fine Arts Division will host the third biennial Up Against the Screen outdoor film concert, which features original music scores composed by Pepperdine students, at the Pepperdine University Amphitheatre on Monday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m.

The performance is free and open to the public.

Up Against the Screen will feature screenings of three classic silent films, accompanied by music composed by The Pickford Composers, three Pepperdine student composers selected to develop an effective music score for live players. The original music pieces will be performed live by the Pickford Ensemble, a chamber ensemble comprised of Pepperdine student musicians under the direction of Professor of Music N. Lincoln Hanks, with support from Chamber Music Director Louise Lofquist.

This year's silent films include: Le voyage dans la lune, directed by Georges Méliès with new music by Joshua Edward; La coquille et le clergyman (excerpts), directed by Germaine Dulac with new music by Wynn Nordlund; and Metropolis (excerpts), directed by Fritz Lang with new music by Jeremy Zerbe.

The Pickford Composers are provided special funding at the beginning of the fall semester and receive direction and creative insights on the art and presentation of silent film scoring from Hanks through private weekly lessons. Selected through an audition process, The Pickford Ensemble, the university's premier new music group, is comprised of Pepperdine's finest student performers. The films for Up Against the Screen are selected by Hanks from the archives of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

"This is such a unique music and film event. Audience members will be thrilled to hear the creative work of our talented students alongside these fine films-all under the stars at our outdoor amphitheatre," Hanks said.

About the Seaver College Fine Arts Division

The Seaver College Fine Arts Division offers students excellent training in the disciplines of studio art, art history, music, and theatre arts. A group of renowned faculty, who are revered in their fields as practicing scholars, artists, and teachers, prepare students for careers in the arts and continued graduate study. With approximately 300 students in the division, the unique programs are designed to prepare and inspire students to develop critical thinking, nurture creativity, and create the highest level of art and scholarship.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Touring Production - Top 3
1. Hadestown
10.7% of votes
2. Hamilton
8.7% of votes
3. & Juliet
8.4% of votes

Need more Los Angeles Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


The Most Happy Fella in Los Angeles The Most Happy Fella
North Coast Repertory Theatre (6/03-6/28)
In the Blink of an Eye: A Musical Memoir in Los Angeles In the Blink of an Eye: A Musical Memoir
The Pico (6/19-6/21)
Melt : The Play in Los Angeles Melt : The Play
The Marilyn Theatre at the Lee Strasberg Institute (6/11-6/13) PHOTOS
The Bomb in Los Angeles The Bomb
The Actors Company - Other Space (6/18-6/29)
Twinkle Time Presents Bilingual, Pop-Rock, Family Concert in Los Angeles Twinkle Time Presents Bilingual, Pop-Rock, Family Concert
Sierra Madre Playhouse (6/06-6/06)
A Faery Hunt Enchanted Adventure in Los Angeles A Faery Hunt Enchanted Adventure
Crestwood Hills Park (6/27-6/27)
For Want of a Horse in Los Angeles For Want of a Horse
Atwater Village Theatre (4/17-5/25)
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong in Los Angeles Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
Ahmanson Theatre (12/12-1/10)
The Last Dinner Party in Los Angeles The Last Dinner Party
Fox Theater (5/27-5/27)
Cowboy Junkies: Celebrating 40 Years and Beyond in Los Angeles Cowboy Junkies: Celebrating 40 Years and Beyond
Smothers Theatre (9/19-9/19)