Summer Carillon Series at Christ Church Cranbrook

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan. -- The 84th Summer Carillon Series at Christ Church Cranbrook opens Sunday, July 1 at 5 p.m. with a program by Tony Raats, city carillonneur in Roosendaal, The Netherlands.

The six-concert series runs Sundays at 5 p.m. from July 1 through August 5. Guest artists will play the 50-bell Booth-Wallace carillon initially installed in the church in 1928.

The 2012 series will includes performances by Raats, Ray McLellan, Qi Yang, Wesley Arai, Helen Hawley and Melissa Weidner. Their programs comprise music ranging from the classics to popular tunes, film scores, opera excerpts and contemporary works composed for the carillon.

The free programs are a gift to the community from Music at Christ Church Cranbrook. Guests may enjoy docent-led tours the Christ Church Cranbrook sanctuary beginning at 4 p.m. Refreshments are available at no charge. There will be opportunities to view the carillon and the playing chamber following programs on July 1 and August 5.

The July 1 recital by Dutch carillonneur Tony Raats featured the music of Flor Peeters, J.S. Bach and Mozart plus selections from well-known operas. This was Mr. Raats’ first visit to Christ Church Cranbrook.

Other carillonneur guests include Melissa Weidner and Wesley Arai, both from California, Michigan State University carillonneur Ray McLellan, Helen Hawley of Grand Rapids and University of Michigan graduate student Qi Yang of Toronto.

Program booklets will include information on all six programs, plus biographies and photos of performers. A video produced by the Taylor bell foundry in Loughborough, England will be playing in the sanctuary prior to each 5 p.m. performance.