When the bells toll: McGaffin Carillon rings over University Circle

Article by Aquene Kimmel in the Observer, the student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University.   9 October 2015

                Aquene Kimmel - Observer

Underneath 47 massive bells, weighing more than 15,000 pounds in total, George Leggiero is right at home.

Inside the Church of the Covenant, Leggiero began the trek up a tightly wound spiral staircase, the same trek he has been making for the past 42 years since he was a student at Case Western Reserve University.

Atop the stairs, about 80 feet above the bustling Euclid Avenue, an instrument sits on a raised platform. It looks something like a hollow piano with two rows of wooden handles instead of white and black keys. Two rows of foot pedals protrude from its base. Wires stretch up from the back of the instrument and disappear, through the ceiling, to the bells above......read more

Montessori High School at University Circle Visits the Tower

Nearly twenty French students from the Montessori High School at University Circle brought their lunches over from Magnolia Dr. to the Lunchtime Carillon Concert on Friday, Sept. 25. They all climbed the tower to the clavier level to see the instrument prior to the concert, some staying to enjoy the view and the breeze from the 80-some-foot-high balcony while listening to the music. Afterward, University Circle Carillonneur George Leggiero taught them about carillons in France and French Canada. Many thanks to Montessori's French and physical education teacher, Nancy Smekal, for arranging this special educational event (with a little cardio as well!).

Summer Carillon Recitals Across North America

The Chicago Botanic Garden

The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America has published a schedule of carillon recitals during the summer of 2015. Check them out!

Summer 2015 North America Carillon Recitals
http://gcna.org/summer.html

Visit the McGaffin Tower

Visitors Climb 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 upper floor across from the Herrick Room.

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

“Victorian Picnic” Celebrates Victorian Society in America Preservation Award to Landmark Church and Bell Tower

Celebration on University Circle 1908

The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon in University Circle, Inc., will sponsor a “Victorian Picnic” on Sunday, May 31, at The Church of the Covenant, located at 11205 Euclid Avenue in University Circle. The event celebrates the Preservation Award conferred on the landmark building by the Victorian Society in America (VSA) at the VSA’s annual meeting in Savannah, Georgia. A Cleveland presentation of the award will take place at the McGaffin Tower steps at 11 a.m. The picnic will follow with J. Pistone box lunches (reservations required), a magic show, old fashioned games, sanctuary and carillon tower tours, selfies with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and Victorian-era music from the carillon—sacred pieces at 9:30 a.m. before worship and popular tunes as lunch begins.

    Period attire is encouraged but not required. Reserve a lunch via www.covenantweb.org or by calling 216.421.0482. All donations will benefit the church’s 2015 Youth Summer Mission Experience. Games will include croquet, horseshoes, ring toss, and three-legged races.