Trinity Lutheran Church Carillon ConcertJune 14, 2015

Carla Barrows, CarillonneurRededication of

Therese Mohnke 25-Bell Carillon (1954, 1957, 2015)Houston, Texas

Trinity Lutheran Church (downtown) is home to one of only three traditional carillons (bell towers) in Houston (16 in Texas and 171 in US). The other two are located at the Church of St. John the Divine in River Oaks (42 bells) and the Bell Tower Center Carillon in Spring Branch (53 bells). A traditional carillon has at least 23 bells played from a “keyboard” of batons or clavier; fewer bells are known as a “chime of bells.” In 1954, Trinity dedicated the original 12 bells. Then in 1957, 13 more bells were added to make the existing 25-bell carillon. The carillon has undergone a major refurbishment of the bells and its framework, as well as the installation of a state of the art digital automated bell-ringing equipment and a master control system. This affords us incredible versatility including playing songs from a catalog of more than 200 pre-programmed music selections, recording new songs and chiming the quarter hour! Today, Trinity is celebrating and rededicating the carillon and its improvements.

The original bells were a generous gift to Trinity by the Mohnke family in memory of their young daughter, with this inscription on some of the larger bells: “In Memoriam to the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Myriel Doris Mohnke, 1922-1936 by Her Parents, Max E. Mohnke, Sr. and Therese Mohnke and her Aunt Emilie Hoop.” On other bells are the words: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8.” The current upgrade work is a gift by current members of the Mohnke family as well as members of Trinity.

Historically, the earliest bells (late 13th century) were associated with public clocks. During the 1600’s, the art of bell casting improved to produce well-tuned bells in a chromatic series that would create a harmonious sound. Many carillons were destroyed during WWI or confiscated during WWII. However after WWII, the market grew and by the early 1950s, carillons were being imported to North America by Taylor, Paccard and Petit & Fritsen. One of those carillons came to Trinity from Petit & Fritsen (Holland firm founded 1660). The bells are made of bronze and vary in weight from nearly 90 pounds to 900 pounds and in diameter from about one foot to three feet. Only the largest bell swings, but all are struck by a clapper operated by the carillonneur from a clavier. The clavier (keyboard) consists of wooden pegs or batons and pedals connected by wires to the clappers, so that the bells are rung by either pushing the batons down or striking them with the fist, or pressing down the pedals with the feet. The entire system is mechanical, which has not been altered by the automated bell-ringing equipment.

CARILLON PROGRAM

Hymns:

“Joyful, Joyful we Adore Thee” with “Golden Bells” introduction (tune: L. Beethoven, 1770-1827; Arr. Robert E. Steuber,* 1984)

“Amazing Grace” (tune: Scottish spiritual; Arr. John R. Knox,** 1989)

“Holy, Holy, Holy” (tune: John B. Dykes, 1823-76; Arr. Robert E. Steuber)

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (tune: Louis Bourgeois, 1551, Arr. Percival Price, 1901-1985)

Carillon Compositions:

“Belmont Suite: Prelude and Final Flourish” (John R. Knox, b.1932)

“Contra Dance” (Johannes Berghuis, 1724-1801)

“Los Claveles” or “Gilly Flowers” (John R. Knox)

Classical Music Transcriptions:

“Marche En Rondeau” (Marc-Antoine Charpentier, 1643-1704; The Belmont (Carillon Book, Vol. 2)

“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750; Arr. Robert E. Steuber) Folk Tunes:

“Stillness” (Russian Folk Melody, Arr. Percival Price***)

“Simple Gifts” (Shaker Melody, from Bell-ringers Publication) Patriotic Music:

“You’re a Grand Old Flag” (George M. Cohan, 1906) (sing twice)

You’re a grand old flag, You’re a high flying flagAnd forever in peace may you wave.You’re the emblem of the land I love;The home of the free and the brave.Every heart beats true ‘neath the red white and blue,Where there’s never a boast or brag.Should old acquaintance be forgot, keep your eye on the grand old flag.

“My Country, Tis of Thee” (text: Samuel F. Smith; tune: America)

My country, ‘tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing;Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrim’s pride, From ev’ry mountain side Let freedom ring.

Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing;Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King.

“God Bless America” (Irving Berlin, 1918)

God bless America, land that I love,Stand beside her and guide her thru’ the night with a light from above.From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam,God bless America, My home, sweet home,God bless America, My home, sweet home.

This concert is given to the glory of God, from whom all blessings flow, and to the praise and honor of our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ; and in memory of Dr. Lorn Howard (1917-2012), who first introduced me to the sights and sounds of the carillon in Dallas in

the 1960’s, performed as “university carillonneur” to his final weeks, was a talented musician and dear family friend.

Carla Barrows has served as organist and choir accompanist at Trinity Lutheran Church since 2001 and carillonneur since 2011.

Thank you to Thrivent Financial for the generous grant to cover the cost of the food and refreshments for today’s Carillon Rededication Concert.

*Robert E. Steuber was one of the carillonneurs at Trinity for several decades prior to 1990, handcrafted a practice clavier to the exact measurements of Trinity’s, and graciously donated it to our church.

**John R. Knox, was the first city carillonneur of Aberdeen, Scotland, and currently performs at the Bond Street Carillon in London.

***Percival Price, international authority on campanology (technology and history of bells), was Canada’s first Dominion carillonneur and helped design the 1927 Peace Tower carillon in Ottawa.