Organizer: Lynnli Wang, Carillon AI (responsible for the Metz Carillon)
Purpose: Compose new music for the carillon (solo, duet, etc.) to be premiered on the IU Metz Carillon in Spring 2021 in a special IU Meet Me at the Metz concert (Saturday at noon, date TBD). This project can involve up to 10 students through Spring 2021. Composers will have the opportunity to work with Carillon AI, Lynnli Wang, and guest carillon composers from across the US. The resulting compositions should be approximately 3-8 minutes long, and definitely less than ten minutes.
Sign-ups: Priority will be given to composers not already committed to another collaboration for this academic year, but even if you are already signed up for something, if you are interested in this opportunity, send an email to David Dzubay (ddzubay) by noon of Friday, October 2. Participants will be identified within a week. Luke Henry (luhenry) will then help with the coordination of this project on behalf of the Student Composers Association.
Background: As part of Indiana University’s bicentennial celebration, the original Metz Carillon was renovated, expanded, and moved from its original home on North Jordan Avenue to its current home in the Cox Arboretum. The Metz Carillon is one of two carillons on campus and is named in the memory of the alumnus Arthur Metz from his foundation that supported scholarship funds.
Around the world, carillons can be found on campuses, city centers, and places of worship; they help communities gather and enjoy the joy of public music from original compositions to pop tunes to folksongs and more. Carillons are keyboard instruments consisting of at least 23 stationary, tuned bells, played from a console with hands and feet by a carillonist.
The Metz Carillon has a grand total of 65 bells, with the largest bell of nearly 7 feet in diameter and 6 tons in weight, towers at 128 feet in height. Students at IU can enroll in applied carillon for credit and learn how to become carillonists themselves! All are welcome to enjoy the music of the Metz Carillon, and a schedule of upcoming concerts and events can be found online at https://blogs.iu.edu/jsomorgan/carillon/.
Metz Carillon Specifications: http://www.towerbells.org/data/INBLOOM1.HTM
Timeline:
- Sept. 30 Forum: introduction to the carillon and carillon composition basics
- October through December: attend a Meet Me at the Metz concert; review existing repertoire and begin sketching ideas; discussion with each composer
- February: the first draft of compositions to be tested on the carillon
- March: consultations with composers
- Early April: finalize compositions and play on Metz
- April 17, April 24, or May 1 (TBD): premiere all works on a Meet Me at the Metz concert
Composing for Carillon: https://rockefeller.uchicago.edu/news/2017/12/composing-for-carillon
Carillon Music Samples: https://www.americancarillonmusiceditions.com/ and https://www.gcna.org/music-store
Carillon Video Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8HE8QW-Zg8&ab_channel=JoeyBrink
Other additional resources and examples to be provided as necessary (e.g. sound file of bells).