The July issue of Cleveland Magazine featured a wonderful article "Bells of Beauty" about The McGaffin Carillon by Anthony Elder with photos by Annie Nickoloff. It's a great article about the McGaffin Tower and Carillon as a community music venue in University Circle. Link to Article
A second article was published online about the Friends of the McGaffin Carillon's fundraising for a complete restoration and renovation of the instrument."McGaffin Carillon in University Circle Fights for Revitalization" Link to Article
We are close to completing our fundraising. Please be in touch if you would like to be part of this exciting project. Contact George Leggiero, gleggiero@ucbells.org or the FMC office at (216)535-4411.
Two New Bells Cast for the McGaffin Carillon
Royal Eijsbouts staff pour molten bronze into the bell mold.
Two new bells were cast for The McGaffin Carillon on 12 September 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.
Read our Annual Report Celebrating our Fifth Year
The past five years have been quite busy for the Friends of the McGaffin Carillon in University Circle. We thank our many donors and supporters. The McGaffin Carillon, Cleveland’s Singing Tower, is the busiest in the state of Ohio. Even during this year’s pandemic challenges our carillonneurs have brought live music to University Circle and helped lighten the mood. This is only possible through the generosity of our many donors who continue to support our activities.
Our ultimate goal is a student guild that will play the carillon on a daily basis. We need a full restoration and renovation of the instrument to make that happen. Our restoration fund is well on the way and we welcome your help.
Friends of the McGaffin Carillon most recent annual report
If you haven’t kept up, here are previous reports
Friends of the McGaffin Carillon 2017-18 report
McGaffin Carillon Honors the WWI Armistice Centenary 11 November 2018
A weekend of activities honored the memory of the sacrifices made during the First World War. This year was particularly meaningful as it marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended that most destructive and horrific conflict.
On Friday night, November 9, the carillon played a prelude to a collaborative concert that united the Case Concert Choir, the Church of the Covenant choir and the Case Orchestra in music of consolation and peace. A highlight of the evening was the world premier of a piece commissioned for the event by the Friends of Music at Church of the Covenant to honor the Armistice anniversary, the 50th anniversary of the McGaffin carillon, and the 10th anniversary of Jonathan Moyer as the church’s director of music. The composer, David Childs, conducted his work, Solas, that included a carillon prelude.
On Sunday morning, Solas was repeated at the end of morning worship at the church ending exactly at 11 a.m. when the bourdon bell of the carillon tolled 100 times at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the time 100 years ago when the guns went silent.
On Sunday afternoon at 3:30 Covenant and University Circle Carillonneur, George Leggiero, played a program that included McGaffin Flourish written by Jennifer Conner for the carillon’s anniversary and two pieces written for the dedication of war memorial instruments in the 1920s, Memorial Chimes by Edward Elgar, and Fantasie in d by Bryan Barker. The concert also included Sacred Suite by Geert D’hollander. That piece was commissioned for that day’s dedication of a peace carillon in Leuven, Belgium. Carillons around the world were joining in with performances of their own.
At 4:00 at the Church of the Covenant was a commemoration in music and literature. Readings from soldier’s letters, war diaries, and poetry reflecting on the war, as well as music by composers affected by the war was a moving tribute.
Links to information about the programs.
Daniel Hathaway previewed the weekend in an article in ClevelandClassical.com
George Leggiero was interviewed by Mark Satola for WCLV and WCPN.
George Leggiero Honored by the Cleveland Italian-American Heritage Committee
Mayor Frank Jackson and George Leggiero
On October 1, 2018 the Cleveland Italian-American Heritage Committee held a ceremony at Cleveland City Hall to open Italian-American Heritage Month. Among this year’s honorees was George Leggiero, Covenant and University Circle Carillonneur. This was in recognition of his contributions to the Cleveland Music scene including his forty-five years as carillonneur at the Alexander McGaffin Memorial Carillon. Attending the ceremony were FMC donors and Board Members including Denise Horstman, Rod Keen, David Osburn, and Paul and Kate Williams. See photos and videos from the event.
Cleveland City Council Resolution of Congratulations