The McGaffin Carillon Goes Silent During Major Restoration and Renovation

On August 18, 2024 a concert by George Leggiero, Keiran Cantilina, and Patrick Macoska celebrated the start of the final phase of the carillon’s restoration and renovation. Within days the instrument was disassembled and plans were made for the spring installation of the new framing, bells, and playing mechanism.

Some of the smaller bells on display before they were crated up for their trip back to The Netherlands.

The twenty-four smallest bells are making a trip back to The Netherlands, to the shop where they were cast and tuned in 1968. They are needed to fabricate the new framing, clappers, and mechanism. Before they were packed up, they were on display and people had a rare chance to be close to them and even get to try ringing them.

Redmar Willems, Eelco Eijer, and Frank Reemers, from Royal Eijsbouts, the Dutch firm who cast the original McGaffin Bells in 1968 came to disassemble the carillon and get the tower ready for the spring re-installation of the instrument. After their ten days, the bells and their tools are packed and ready for the trip back to The Netherlands.

The Alexander McGaffin Carillon Announces Major Restoration and Renovation Project

Work will begin in mid-August and be completed by next spring

Cleveland, OH— 12 June 2024 — The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon is beginning the final phase of a $661,000 renovation of the landmark Alexander McGaffin Carillon. This project expands the musical capabilities of the instrument and prepares it for a future student guild of carillonists.

The McGaffin Carillon

The Alexander McGaffin Carillon, dedicated in 1968, is one of only 185 cast-bell carillons in North America. The instrument consists of 47 bronze bells cast in The Netherlands and weighing 15,000 pounds. It is played by a performer high in the tower. Performances are heard throughout the University Circle area of Cleveland. The renovation will add four new bells to expand the musical possibilities and replace the aging mechanism with a world-standard adopted in 2006. New clock chimes and a digital automatic play mechanism will also be installed. The restoration of the three-bell swinging peal was completed in 2018, and a new practice instrument was built and gifted to The Friends in 2022.

The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon (FMC)

The Friends of the McGaffin Carillon was founded in 2015 as an independent 501c3 nonprofit to expand the activities of the carillon into the community and to assist in the instrument’s upkeep. Since its founding, The Friends have been raising the funds for this renovation. Over 235 donors have contributed to the effort.

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For More Information:

George Leggiero, FMC Executive Director
216 535-4411
gleggiero@ucbells.org

Information about The McGaffin Carillon:

The Alexander McGaffin Carillon
11205 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-1717
www.ucbells.org

A Solar Eclipse to Remember

April 8, 2024 will be remembered in Cleveland for a long time. For about four minutes the moon completely blocked out 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.

Meet Two of the New Bells for The McGaffin Carillon

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.

Read our 2023 Annual Report, "A Busy Year Preparing for the Future"

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