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Story: Orchestras

Palmerston North cinema orchestra

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Palmerston North cinema orchestra

The advent of silent movies created opportunities for musicians, who provided accompanying music. Sometimes a piano player was the sole accompanist, but small ensembles were formed as well. This group of musicians played at the Kosy and Palace theatres in Palmerston North in the 1920s.

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Palmerston North City Library

Reference: 2007N_Mus3_GRO_1079

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How to cite this page

Peter Walls, Orchestras – The first professional orchestras, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/44502/palmerston-north-cinema-orchestra (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Peter Walls, published 14 March 2014.