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A 1927 interior photograph by Edwin Tangen of the piano showroom in the Boulder Music Store at 2034 12th Street (Tangen photo #11103)

Hank Troy is a pianist for the Chautauqua silent film series. This oral history focuses on his musical life, detailing the people and places that had the most influence on his career, leading up to Chautauqua; family and home life also get discussed. Troy recollects his childhood, his introduction to piano, his instruction and development, the social aspects of playing piano—versus playing outside, for example—and the growth of his interests and taste in music. He talks about living in Germany as an exchange student in his senior year of high school, noting the musical and cultural differences. Troy eventually made his way to Denver and played piano for theater, then joined the Queen City Jazz Band. He tells about how he got involved with Chautauqua silent films, describes memorable incidents, and explains his approach to and process for creating the accompaniments. The interview concludes with Troy playing piano and demonstrating musical moods that would surface in a typical silent film.