This page, updated frequently, contains information about the next carillon or organ recital in the series, in most cases performed by John Gouwens.

October 4: Final Carillon Recital for 2008

John Gouwens, Carillonneur of The Culver Academies, will present a recital on the 51-bell carillon at the Memorial Chapel, on the Culver campus (Culver, Indiana) on October 4, 4:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time.

This recital is part of the festivities connected with Homecoming Weekend at the school. The opening selection is a set of variations on a folk melody by 17th-century Dutch carillonneur Jacob van Eyck. Van Eyck’s settings of melodies of his time were actually written for the recorder (of which he was also a highly skilled player), but it is certain that some of these pieces also figured into his carillon playing. A more romantic approach to a variation form is the “Jan de Mulder Suite,” by Belgian carillonneur Jos D’hollander. It’s a brilliant, lyric, and exciting set of variations on an old Flemish song. A lighter touch is offered in a dance-like multi-movement suite by Dutch composerWouter Paap.

Gouwens has long been a champion (as well as a creator) of recent compositions for the carillon. Two very recent pieces are included in the October 4th recital. John Courter, a noted carillonneur and prolific composer for the instrument, wrote a set of pieces in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of carillon recitals at St. Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh , Ireland . Gouwens will play a movement from that work, which is a lovely setting of a song about the “three Marys” who were present at Christ’s cruxifixion: Jesus’s mother, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the sister of Lazarus. Still more recent is the brooding “Music for Carillon,” by Lowell Liebermann. The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America commissioned this new work (completed February 2008) from this noted New York composer just this past year. Liebermann is a noted composer of piano music, instrumental concerti, symphonies, operas, and chamber music – just about every traditional musical medium. It is a welcome development to have a piece written for the carillon by this fine composer.

Finally, Gouwens will play the “Flamenco,” from “Serenade II,” by carillonneur Ronald Barnes. This is a rollicking Spanish dance, beautifully and effectively written for the carillon.

As usual, Gouwens will include improvisations on familiar hymn tunes throughout the program. 

Admission is free, and tours and demonstrations of the instrument will be offered following every recital. 

In the event of bad weather, the tower will be open to the public during the recital (which would be indicated on signs near the South doors), and printed programs will be available near the doors as well.

Follow this link for the full schedule.