Shafer Tower Carillon; Ball State University

Calendar of Carillon Performances at Ball State University

John Gouwens, Visiting Lecturer in Carillon, at the Ball State carillon

 

Saturday, September 24 (2011) 11:00 AM (Family Weekend)

John Gouwens, Visiting Lecturer in Carillon at Ball State University, will present a recital on the 48-bell carillon at Shafer Tower, on McKinley Avenue, in the heart of the Ball State campus.

On Saturday, October 24 at 11:00 A.M., John Gouwens, Visiting Lecturer in Carillon at Ball State University, will present a recital on the 48-bell carillon at Shafer Tower, on McKinley Avenue, in the heart of the Ball State campus. This performance will be offered in conjunction with special events “Family Weekend” at the University.

The opening selection will be Gouwens's own most recent composition: "Suite No. 3." This work was commissioned by the Lexington, Kentucky chapter of The American Guild of Organists, in memory of their longtime member and past dean, carillonneur and composer John Courter. Courter's own "Suite No. 1" was commissioned for the dedication of the Ball State carillon, and was premiered by the composer at that occasion in 2002. In the four movements of the work, Gouwens covers a variety of musical styles, many of which were evident in Courter's own compositions.

Two pieces from the baroque period are included, both of which appeared in the 18th-Century "Carillon Book" by Joannes de Gruÿtters . One is a lively "Giga" by his colleague Jacques-Henri de Croes, the other is de Gruÿtters's own "Ceciliana." Some lighter touches will be provided with the inclusion of selections from Broadway shows ("Cats," "Annie," and "A Little Night Music") as well as a lyric touch with two very beautiful settings of Scottish folk songs by American carillonneur Ronald Barnes.

The concluding piece on the program is a vigorous set of variations on “Jan de Mulder Suite” by Jos D’hollander. Jos D’hollander is a Belgian organist and carillonneur, who taught both at the Lemmens Institute (a church music school) and at the Royal Carillon School in Mechelen. The variations are based on an old Flemish folksong, presented brightly, playfully, in a slow, lyric guise, and finally in a brilliant finale.

Following the recital, if any are interested in seeing the instrument at close range, Mr. Gouwens will offer a tour. Programs will be available, with many details about the music and the instrument. Though the performance is specifically intended for BSU students and their families, the general public is welcome to attend the recital and to take the tour afterward.

Those wishing to know more are encouraged to contact Mr. Gouwens directly at gouwenj@culver.org

or Dr. Kirby Koriath at the School of Music, klkoriath@bsu.edu

The Ball State carillon consists of 48 bells, ranging in weight from 26 pounds to 5,243 pounds. Although four of the larger bells are arranged so that they may be swung for special occasions, all bells in any carillon are fixed in position when used for musical performances. The clappers (which on their own may weigh from 2 pounds up to 200 pounds) which strike the bells are connected through wires and levers to the keys of the console (in the room below, with the Ball State emblems in the windows). Though the keys are arranged in the same general pattern as a piano keyboard, the keys are larger and farther apart than piano keys, so that the performer may sensitively control the dynamics in a musical performance (from remarkably soft to impressively loud). Half of the instrument is also connected to foot pedals, so that the player may “cover more bases” musically, and have easier control over the heavy clappers of the largest bells.

The bells were cast in Sevrier, France, by the Paccard Bellfoundry in 2001. The console, frame, and most of the mechanism were made by the Verdin company of Cincinnati, Ohio. 

 

 

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This Page was created and is maintained by: John Gouwens. Last update: 09/21/2011