News from The McGaffin Carillon in University Circle.
April 8, 2024 will be remembered in Cleveland for a long time. For about four minutes the moon completely blocked our the sun. This was a once in a lifetime event. Here are some photos courtesy of George Leggiero who climbed to the roof of the tower to witness this event.
Two new bells were cast for The McGaffin Carillon last October by Royal Eijsbouts in Asten, The Netherlands, the firm who cast the 47 current bells in 1968. These gifts to future generations of University Circle visitors will join the carillon during the eventual restoration and renovation of the instrument.
The largest of the two bells will add a low Bb to the carillon, will be 58.3 inches in diameter, and weigh 4,290 pounds. It is a gift of Alexander McGaffin’s grandchildren in memory of their mother, Dr. McGaffin’s daughter. The second bell is a gift from Denise Horstman, founding president of The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon, and her husband, Rod Keen, in memory of their parents. It will be 43.5 inches in diameter and weigh 1,672 pounds. It adds a low Eb to the carillon. The two bells will increase the weight of the carillon by 40%. Our carillonneurs are excited to eventually have these notes added to the instrument where it will expand the repertoire we can play.
It was another busy year at the McGaffin Tower. Friday Lunchtime Concerts, Holiday Concerts, Summer Saturday evening concerts, Fall Sunday afternoon concerts, CarolSing and Christmas Eve concerts. We’re also getting the tower ready for the long-awaited and long-needed restoration and renovation. Read all about it in our 2023 Annual Report
George Leggiero’s 50th anniversary in the McGaffin Tower was highlighted in an article by the Case Alumni Association. George is a 1972 graduate of the Case Engineering School. As an undergraduate he lived in Mather House next door to The Church of the Covenant and the McGaffin Carillon. In 1973 he was hired as the McGaffin Carillonneur and has climbed the tower and rung the 15,000 pound, 47 bell instrument since then. Read the article by Hannah Jackson, class of 2024. For Whom the Bells Toll?
Carson Landry, our guest carillonst from earlier in the month, returned to the tower this past weekend and brought the University of Michigan Carillon Guild for a visit. These students were able to spend time trying out the McGaffin Carillon and comparing the instrument to the large instrument at University of Michigan. University Circle was serenaded Sunday evening by their music. Thank you! We hope one day to have our own student carillon guild.
University of Michigan Carillon Guild Students with Carson Landry
The Students got to try the McGaffin bells and serenade University Circle.
