August 8th Carillon Duo Concert

If one carillonneur is exciting, how about two at the same time?! 

On Friday night, August 8^th at 7pm The Groningen Carillon Duo from the Netherlands will present a free concert on the McGaffin Carillon at The Church of the Covenant. You've heard of piano four hands, how about carillon four fists? Adolph Rots and Auke de Boer will play a concert of music by Scarlatti, Copland, Haydn, Schubert, Leroy Anderson and others.  The audience is welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets and even picnics to listen to the concert from the church lawn or, even better,  from the Case campus behind the church.

New Book: Singing Bronze, A History of Carillon Music

If you're looking for a history of carillons and carillon music, check out Singing Bronze, A History of Carillon Music by Luc Rombouts. The author is the carillonneur of the city of Tienen and of the Catholic University of Leuven. Originally published in Dutch in 2010 as Zingend Brons, The North American Carillon Guild underwrote the book's recent translation to English.

The book is a great history on the background of bells in culture and how and why the carillon tradition originally developed in Belgium and The Netherlands. During the interwar period the carillon culture was exported to North America, The UK and Australia as bell founding and tuning were improved and memorials were built to honor those lost in World War I. Carillon schools were founded at the same time and new developments in the playing mechanism advanced the complexity and musicality of the performances. Many instruments were damaged or destroyed in the Second World War, but the tradition was maintained and continues to grow. The history chronicles the performers and supporters who advanced the carillon art through its history.

The book is very detailed with many photos and illustrations and an extensive bibliography.

Visit the McGaffin Tower

On Sunday mornings, following morning worship (about 11:00), The McGaffin Tower will be open to visitors while the carillonneur is playing. There will be a 20-30 minute concert of music during the reception time on the lawn. Climb the tower and see how the bells are played. The carillon tower entrance is on the second floor across from the Herrick Room.

Visits to the tower at other times can be arranged. Contact the carillonneur george.leggiero@gmail.com

Summer Carillon Recitals Across North America

The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America has published a schedule of carillon recitals during the summer of 2014. Check them out!

Summer 2014 North America Carillon Recitals
http://gcna.org/summer.html

A New Blog

As the McGaffin Carillon approaches its 50th anniversary, we're planning for the future. The bells have provided a soundscape for University Circle since 1968. As an Educational, Cultural and Medical hub of Cleveland, literally thousands of people are within earshot of the bells. The bells have pealed for weddings, graduations and other celebrations. The bells have also tolled at memorials of those who have passed. Tunes have enhanced holidays and brought smiles to the students and visitors to the area.

A group has been formed to plot future activities for the carillon's next fifty years. We'd like to hear it more often, even daily. We would also like to invite recitalists from American and European carillons. Stay tuned.