The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon in University Circle Launches New Website

The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon in University Circle has been formed to expand the activities of the McGaffin Carillon, Cleveland's singing tower.

Our website is now live at http://www.ucbells.org Check it out.

 

The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon in University Circle
is Organized to:

• Preserve and Revitalize the the Only Cast-Bell Carillon within the City of Cleveland

• Enrich Quality of Life in the University Circle Community by Transforming the Soundscape with Music and Providing Free Concert Events
• Advance Education and Collaboration through the Creation of Student Carillon Guilds
• Light a Torch of Creativity by Commissioning New Music and Community Events

Check back to our news feed to learn about future activities.

Christmas Truce Commemoration Highlighted in a Cleveland Plain Dealer Article

Read Brain Albrecht's article about the Christmas Truce of 1914 and The McGaffin Carillon's commemoration of it that took place on Christmas Eve 2014 a century later.

Link to the article here

Christmas Truce Commemoration-Christmas Eve 2014

 

Because of rainy weather, the commemoration was moved indoors to the church reception room. People were able to see the carillon being played through a video feed to a monitor in the room. 

A bell tolled nine times, once for every million combat deaths in The Great War. At 7:14pm George Leggiero, Covenant and University Circle Carilloneur, played "Silent Night" on  The McGaffin Carillon to observe the 1914 WWI Christmas Eve Truce when soldiers on opposing sides laid down their weapons and shared Christmas Eve.  

The Reverend Amy Starr Redwine read from a book of recollections of the soldiers who were involved. Dr. Jonathan Moyer sang a verse of Stille Nacht. The several hundred people in the room joined in with several verses of Silent Night. After the inside portion concluded, the rain stopped and a large number of people went outside to listen to the English and German carols offered by George Leggiero.  

Special thanks to Bill Anderson for his hospitality - decorating the Reception Room and providing delicious food and hot cocoa.The cookies, Czech Christmas bread and roasted chestnuts were delicious. And many thanks to Deni Horstman for all of her efforts to share this event with the community.

George Leggiero interviewed on WCLV, WCPN, Channel 5 about Bells for Peace and The McGaffin Carillon

On Monday afternoon, 22 December, George Leggiero was interviewed live on Cleveland Radio Station WCLV.  Mark Satola talked with Mr. Leggiero about the Christmas Eve Bells for Peace Commemoration and about the McGaffin Carillon. The ten minute interview has been posted on the station website. Click here to listen to the interview.

WCPN ran a piece on the Christmas Truce of 1914 and The McGaffin Carillon commemoration. Click here to hear the interview.

Channel 5, WEWS also reported on The Christmas Truce and The McGaffin Carillon. Click here to see the additional video they posted online.
 

A Meditation with Bells

Across Euclid Avenue from the McGaffin Tower is the University Hospital's Seidman Cancer Center's Healing Garden. Within that garden is a labyrinth. The garden and labyrinth is a calming place for patients, families and visitors. On Tuesday 16 December 2014. George Leggiero will provide music from the McGaffin Carillon during a candlelight Labyrinth Walk. The walk begins at 4:30 and all are welcome.

View of the Seidman Center and Labyrinth from the tower.