Steiger Catalytic Creative Evangelist Philip Shorey has been conducting the Curse of the Vampire Orchestra since 2018. Made up of believers and nonbelievers alike, the orchestra itself is a powerful discipleship ministry.
When they perform the music Philip composed to the silent vampire film, “Nosferatu - A Symphony of Horror”, they’re able to reach hundreds of young people who have no interest in stepping foot in a church with the Gospel. Earlier this year, Philip was able to take the show to the SLOT Art Festival in Poland for the first time since before the pandemic.
Getting his 85 person Curse of the Vampire Orchestra to the festival was difficult. It was Philip’s first time back in Poland since the pandemic and it felt even more intense than usual given the war in neighboring Ukraine. And then, on the eve of the performance, Philip learned that he wasn’t allowed to give his usual gospel presentation at the end of the show. He would have to get creative.
“The show was fantastic! We held the attention of around 3,000 people for an hour and a half and received a 3-minute standing ovation! I did my normal presentation of themes representing the three components of the Gospel. The Vampire Theme represents evil, Hutters Adventure Theme represents humanity. And then I got to Ellen’s Love Theme. This is where I usually tell people Ellen was like Jesus. Instead, I posed the question before the entire audience, ‘Who is Ellen? She busted the windows open, outstretching her arms as if to scream at the darkness and injustice, “Here I am! Take me instead!” So, who is Ellen?’ And slowly throughout the audience, I heard people screaming, ‘Jesus!’ The seed was planted by the people.
“I invited anyone who wanted to know more about ‘Ellen’ to join me in the Abbey. Thirty people joined me and I was able to freely share the Gospel. About half of them prayed to receive Jesus into their lives. The rest of my time at the festival was spent having many fruitful conversations with people who had been moved by the show, including a young atheist woman who kept following me around wanting to talk more.”
Throughout the month of October, two new orchestras will be presenting Philip’s composition to Nosferatu - A Symphony of Horror - one in Pennsylvania and one in Washington state. And finally on Halloween weekend, Philip and The Curse of the Vampire Orchestra will be presenting it for 3 shows in Minneapolis. This year is the 100th anniversary of the film, so people are taking notice of it all over the world! The performance is sure to be on the radar for artists, film buffs, and horror fans alike.
If you’re in the US and are interested in attending one of these shows, you can get more information and purchase tickets here. Otherwise, please join us in praying that God uses Philip’s boldness and this 100 year old silent vampire horror film to show people the hope and light of Christ.