Profile: Covington, Kentucky
The Carroll Chimes are located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in the city of Covington, Kentucky. Somewhat of a misnomer, the instrument is neither a chime (a cast bronze bell instrument of less than two octaves) nor a set of chimes (orchestral tubular bells), but a full-fledged 43-bell carillon. The carillon is named for former Kentucky governor Julian Carroll. The free-standing tower is located in the MainStrasse Village at Goebbel Park. MainStrasse is a faux-German village with five blocks of restored 19th-century shops, restaurants, and homes that offer visitors a glimpse of the Cincinnati area's German heritage. Other attractions include the Goose Girl Fountain and a life-sized sculpture of a German Fraülein carrying two geese to market.
The carillon was installed in 1979. The bells were made by the Dutch firm of Petit & Fritsen. While there is a manual playing console, the carillon is most often heard with the automatic player which accompanies a set of jacquemarts, the mechanical figures that move onto a balcony to act out the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.
Hoorn Competition Winners
In the framework of activities commemorating the founding of the Dutch East India Trading Company, or VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) 400 years ago, the organization "The Carillon of Hoorn" held a carillon composition competition. Carillonneurs and composers were given the challenge of writing a contemporary composition based on melodies from the time of the Dutch East India Trading Company. The winning composition became required repertory for the carillon performance competition in the VOC sister city of Enkhuizen on 22 June 2002.
The jury was unanimous in its decision that the work by Geert D'hollander of Belgium was clearly the best piece. He was awarded the first prize of 1815 Euros. Jury member and composer Mathieu Dijker wrote in his jury report: "This composition really demonstrates skillful writing on various levels, with sections that are unified yet contrasting, with thematic control and development, resulting in a carillon that dreams and laughs and sings and is completely highlighted." A well-deserved second place was given to Johan Adriaenssen (Norway), and third place went to Radek Rejaek (Czech Republic).
Reviewing and judging the various submissions was a formidable task for the jury which consisted of Peter Bremer (chairman of the jury, musicologist, carillonneur), Wim Franken (composer, carillonneur), Mathieu Dijker (composer, carillonneur), Carl van Eijndhoven (Lemmens Institute faculty, organist, carillonneur, Belgium), Geert Bierling (organist, carillonneur), and Frits Reynaert (non-voting secretary, municipal carillonneur of Hoorn).
The first Hoorn VOC Carillon Book was compiled in 2002. This collection contains the six best entries from the sixteen composers who sent compositions. Entries were received from composers in The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, Norway, Belgium, England, and The United States of America.
Send items for "Carillon News" to Dr. Brian Swager, c/o The Diapason, 380 E. Northwest Hwy., Suite 200, Des Plaines, IL 60016-2282. For information on the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, write to: GCNA, 37 Noel Dr., Williamsville, NY 14221.
