Jacksonville Symphony Revives Silent Film Score
A 1926 silent film produced by Norman Studios gets a newly composed score performed live at Jacoby Symphony Hall.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
The Jacksonville Symphony will perform a new score for The Flying Ace, the only surviving feature film produced by Norman Studios, at Jacoby Symphony Hall. Six composers created the new score for the 1926 silent film.
Why it matters
The performance brings a century-old silent film back to a live audience in Jacksonville, pairing its restoration with a fresh musical accompaniment. It also marks a community event tied to the local arts scene.
The film was released in 1926 and is the only surviving feature film from Norman Studios, which was based in Arlington. Six composers contributed to the new score for the performance.
The players
Jacksonville Symphony
The Jacksonville Symphony is the orchestra based in Jacksonville, Florida, performing classical and specialty concerts for local audiences.
Norman Studios
Norman Studios was an early film company based in Arlington that produced independent features for Black audiences in the 1920s.
The details
The Flying Ace is a silent film from 1926 and is the only surviving feature produced by Norman Studios. The Jacksonville Symphony will perform the new score live at Jacoby Symphony Hall.
Timeline
1926: The Flying Ace is released.
Live performance at Jacoby Symphony Hall with the Jacksonville Symphony.
Market Landscape
Live orchestral scoring of silent films has been a recurring format for preserving early cinema. This performance continues that practice by commissioning a new score for a rare surviving work.
Residents can attend the live performance at Jacoby Symphony Hall to hear the new score. Those looking to help with the community effort can donate cold-weather gear to the Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive through Nov. 30 at WJCT Studios, VyStar Credit Union, Suddath Moving & Storage, or Tom Bush Family of Dealerships locations.
The takeaway
Community giving and arts preservation can work together, as the sweater drive and the film score both show how local resources reach residents. Donating warm clothing before Nov. 30 directly supports the goal of distributing more than 15,000 essentials.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy coverage to see how local arts and community giving connect.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WJCT News 89.9.
