The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America

The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America The GCNA is a professional organization dedicated to promoting the carillon art in North America.

We are The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA), a professional nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of the carillon art in North America. We are musicians, bellfounders, carillon technicians and builders, and bell enthusiasts. We do not maintain a fixed office or headquarters, nor are we compensated for our work. Rather, we are motivated by our passion for the art, voluntee

ring our time and workspaces. Since our founding in 1936, we’ve been a leading promoter and educator of the carillon art in both North America and the world. We encourage the composition and distribution of carillon music; support the development and expansion of the carillonneur as a profession; and advocate for the building, maintenance, and improvement of new and existing carillons. Learn more about what we’ve been doing all this time on our website: https://www.gcna.org/guild-history

What is a carillon? It is a musical instrument of at least 23 cast bronze bells which are connected to a keyboard. Carillons developed through a series of advancements in timekeeping and bellringing over the last 500 years. They are most concentrated in the Low Countries of Europe, where they originated. However, Americans and Canadians became increasingly interested in the instrument throughout the 1900s, and today there is a thriving carillon culture on the continent. Learn more about carillons on our website: www.gcna.org/about-carillons

As we finish our look back at an incredible 83rd Congress, here’s a look at the Congress photo and just some of the many...
06/19/2026

As we finish our look back at an incredible 83rd Congress, here’s a look at the Congress photo and just some of the many faces of The GCNA! 🔔

Today we take a look back at and the incredible towers and venues we visited! Many thanks go to Ellen Dickinson and th...
06/15/2026

Today we take a look back at and the incredible towers and venues we visited! Many thanks go to Ellen Dickinson and the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs for hosting a memorable Congress filled with new music, educational presentations, good food, and great time with colleagues. 🔔

Enjoy this look at Yale University’s Harkness Tower, The Riverside Church, and the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford.

Our 83rd Congress concluded today with a grand roadtrip to NYC and Stamford. Following a banquet cruise around Manhattan...
06/08/2026

Our 83rd Congress concluded today with a grand roadtrip to NYC and Stamford. Following a banquet cruise around Manhattan thanks to Royal Eijsbouts, attendees enjoyed an afternoon concert on the Rockefeller Carillon at The Riverside Church and an evening dinner recital at First Presbyterian Church, Stamford.

We want to thanks Ellen Dickinson and the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs for a musical, educational, and engaging Congress this week! 🔔

We filled another busy day with insightful panel discussions, new music, and an ice cream social sponsored by Meeks, Wat...
06/07/2026

We filled another busy day with insightful panel discussions, new music, and an ice cream social sponsored by Meeks, Watson, & Company. Our business meetings have officially concluded for the Congress, but we still have a full day ahead of us tomorrow as attendees travel to New York and Stamford, Connecticut.

Despite a rainy end to the twilight concert, we had another full day of our 2026 Congress with concerts, important, busi...
06/07/2026

Despite a rainy end to the twilight concert, we had another full day of our 2026 Congress with concerts, important, business, and masterclasses. Attendees enjoyed an innovative program of piano and practice clavier duets and many excellent recitals!

We officially opened our 83rd Congress today with business meetings, presentations, exam, recitals, concerts, and much m...
06/06/2026

We officially opened our 83rd Congress today with business meetings, presentations, exam, recitals, concerts, and much more! Thank you to today’s presenters, recitals, and our pizza party sponsor T. Verdin Legacy Bellworks. 🔔

Events for began this evening with an exciting opening recital performed by the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs...
06/05/2026

Events for began this evening with an exciting opening recital performed by the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs and a welcome reception sponsored by the McShane Bell Company! We are looking forward to officially opening our 83rd Congress tomorrow morning. 🔔

This week, the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs will host the 83rd Congress of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North...
06/01/2026

This week, the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs will host the 83rd Congress of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America! Be sure to follow along on our social channels starting this Thursday. 🔔

Yale University's Harkness Tower houses a 54-bell carillon that was cast by the John Taylor & Co. in Loughborough, England. The instrument is fully chromatic from G (concert F♯) to C. The playing cabin is accessible by stairs and is located about halfway up the tower.

Construction of the tower began in 1917, and the John Taylor Bellfoundry of Loughborough, England, cast the original 10 bells in 1921. The donation of the tower, the bells, and the residential college that adjoins the tower was made by Mrs. Anna M. Harkness, in memory of her son, Charles William Harkness, Yale College class of 1883. After the bells were installed in 1922, Yale's organ curator was the only person to ring the bells regularly until a student, Elliot H. Kone, class of 1949, took over and formed the Guild of Yale Bellringers. In 1964, Miss Florence S. Marcy Crofut donated 44 new bells, and the set of chimes became a 4.5-octave carillon. Along with this promotion of status, the student group renamed itself the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs.

With its 58 tuned bronze bells, the Valley Forge Carillon - Washington Memorial Chapel is celebrating its centennial thi...
05/25/2026

With its 58 tuned bronze bells, the Valley Forge Carillon - Washington Memorial Chapel is celebrating its centennial this year. The bells weigh a combined total of 26 tons (ranging from 13½ pounds to 8,000 pounds) and cover a range of nearly five octaves. The annual July-August Wednesday evening concerts feature performers from all over the world. All Wednesday evening concerts are played rain or shine. The Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge also host Sunday Afternoon Carillon Playings. Each Sunday in April, May, June, September, October, and November, 20-minute concerts will be performed live by Doug Gefvert at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm, weather permitting.

Learn more at https://www.wmchapel.org/the-carillon 🔔

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