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Media Contact Historic Bok Sanctuary Lake Wales, Fla. – Worldwide attention will focus on Historic Bok Sanctuary during the 20th International Carillon Festival (ICF) to be held February 24-March 4, 2007, which coincides with spectacular spring bloom in the gardens. Six internationally recognized carillonneurs representing the United States, Netherlands and Canada will perform during one of only two international carillon festivals held annually in North America. Housed in the majestic “Singing Tower,” the Sanctuary carillon is considered one of the finest in the world and is surrounded by a spacious, open landscape which offers an idyllic setting for visitors to relax on blankets, lawn chairs and benches while enjoying the concerts. With 60 bronze bells ranging in weight from 16 pounds to nearly 12 tons, the instrument was designed and built by John Taylor Bellfoundry, Ltd. of Loughborough, England. The inscription on the largest bell says that Sanctuary founder Edward W. Bok gave the carillon as a tribute of affection to his grandparents who were lovers of beauty. 2007 International Carillon Festival featured carillonneurs are: Karel Keldermans, Springfield, Ill.; Justin Ryan, Denver, Colo.; Gordon Slater, Ottawa, Canada; Boudewijn Zwart, Netherlands; William De Turk, Sanctuary carillonneur and Lee Cobb, Sanctuary assistant carillonneur. The 2007 ICF Performance Schedule:
February 24
1 p.m. William De Turk 3 p.m. Lee Cobb Visitors can view the performances via a television monitor located to the northwest of the Japanese lantern. Following each daily carillon concert at 1 and 3 p.m., visitors can meet the carillonneur at the Tower’s east gate near the Information Booth. Other Festival features in the Education and Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. will include carillon exhibits and an audiovisual presentation, “How Bells are Cast and Tuned.” On March 2 at 7:30 p.m., a Moonlight Concert performed by Zwart will offer visitors a chance enjoy the tranquility of the Sanctuary as moonlight streams through the tree canopies. Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Children under age 5 and members of the Sanctuary are admitted for free. Admission after 5 p.m. is $5 for adults and $1.50 for children ages 5 to 12. For more information, call Historic Bok Sanctuary at 863.676.1408 or visit www.boksanctuary.org ICF Featured Performers: Karel Keldermans (second ICF appearance) Carillonneur for the Rees Memorial Carillon in Springfield, Ill., Keldermans has produced six solo carillon compact discs, two films on carillon art and co-authored the book, Carillon: The Evolution of a Concert Instrument in North America. Keldermans received a master’s degree in campanology and carillon performance from the University of Illinois after completing studies abroad at Belgium’s Royal Carillon School and the Netherlands Carillon School in Amerfoort. In 1998, Karel and his wife were honored jointly with The Berkeley Medal for distinguished service to the carillon bestowed by the University of California, Berkeley. Justin Ryan (first ICF appearance) A recent Fulbright Scholar who studied for a year in Amsterdam at the Netherlands Carillon School, Ryan is working toward a master's degree in carillon at the University of Denver and will be the first to complete this new program. In addition to recitals in Europe, he has performed throughout North America, including annual congresses of the Guild of Carillonneurs of North America (GCNA). Gordon Slater (fourth ICF appearance) Appointed dominion carillonneur of Canada in 1977, Slater plays the Peace Tower Carillon at the Canadian Houses of Parliament, Ottawa. Slater started playing the carillon when he was 7 while assisting his father, the former carillonneur at the Metropolitan United Church in Toronto. As well as performing worldwide, Slater conducts the Divertimento Orchestra, a 70-piece amateur symphony, plays bassoon and contrabassoon with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, has made several carillon recordings and also teaches carillon. Boudewijn Zwart (second ICF appearance) An organist, composer and pianist, Zwart has won several first prizes in international carillon competitions and gives guest concerts at home and abroad. In addition to serving as director of Carillon Instituut Nederland in Dordrecht and president of the international association Eurocarillon, he is city carillonneur in 12 Dutch cities and plays each week on 14 different carillons. Zwart surprised the carillon world with the design and founding of his own traveling carillon. William De Turk (12th ICF appearance) Historic Bok Sanctuary carillonneur since 2004 and Bok’s first carillon scholar, De Turk served as assistant carillonneur to Milford Myhre and librarian for the Anton Brees Carillon Library. After receiving a master’s degree in organ performance from the University of Michigan, he served as carillonneur for the University of Michigan. President of the GCNA for four years, De Turk was also a board member for nine years and has been the archivist since 1972. He was awarded The Berkeley Medal for distinguished service to the carillon bestowed by the University of California, Berkeley, and was honored for his extraordinary contribution to the art of the carillon at the 12th World Carillon Federation Congress. De Turk has performed concerts throughout the North America and Europe, has authored 11 published articles and is the organist and choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winter Haven, Fla. Lee Cobb (first ICF appearance) Historic Bok Sanctuary assistant carillonneur Cobb plays daily carillon concerts and oversees the Anton Brees Carillon Library. Playing the 11-bell McShane chime while he was a student at Indiana University sparked Cobb’s interest in the carillon. After receiving his master’s degree in organ performance from the University of Florida, Cobb became a full voting member of the GCNA in 2004. A commissioned and published composer, Cobb won the Johan Franco Carillon Composition Competition sponsored by the GCNA for his Sonata for Carillon in 2006. Cobb played the premiere performances at the 2006 GCNA Congress at Yale University and for the Congress of the World Carillon Federation in Gdansk, Poland. Cobb is also organist and choirmaster at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lake Wales, Fla. # # # About Historic Bok Sanctuary: |
