The sonic/ecological exhibition Otsi’tsistó:sera takes its name from a new carillon composition by Dawn Avery, a composer of Mohawk descent, based on planting songs that Haudenosaunee women of the turtle clan sing to the seeds and plants as they grow their gardens. During this two-day “open house,” visitors may enter the carillon all day and experience a belfry filled with music by Indigenous women and lush with native plants in both organic and virtual forms. Open 12-6pm.

Explore the ecology of local native plants and keystone species and their Indigenous significance, discover visual remnants of Michigan’s pre-logging forests, and hear Avery’s Otsi’tsistó:sera as well as piano and carillon performances of Beverley McKiver’s Canadian Floral Emblems during live carillon concerts and at an on-demand listening station. Performances and recordings by Tiffany Ng, Carson Landry, Grace Jackson, and Beverley McKiver. With special thanks to forest history consultant Hillary Pine, BA ‘11 (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians)

PROGRAM

Otsi’tsistó:sera [Planting Songs] (2023)
Dawn Ieri’hó:kwats Avery (b. 1961)

Performers:
Tiffany Ng, University Carillonist
Grace Jackson, DMA student in Sacred Music
Carson Landry, MMus student in Carillon

Arrangements from:
Canadian Floral Emblems (2020)
- Lady Slipper (Prince Edward Island)
- Blue Flag Iris, for Joyce Echaquan (Quebec)
- Western Red Lily (Saskatchewan)
- Mountain Avens (Northwest Territory)
- Aupiluktunnguat/Purple Saxifrage (Nunavut)
- Pacific Dogwood (British Columbia)

Beverley McKiver (b. 1958)

Additional information can be found here:
https://xrxf.net/carillon

Location Info: Charles Baird Carillon in Burton Memorial Tower, 10th floor. The bell chamber may be accessed via a combination of elevator and stairs. Take the elevator to the highest floor possible (floor 8), and then climb two flights of stairs (39 steps) to the bell chamber (floor 10). Ear protection will be available. Built in 1936, the Charles Baird Carillon is not ADA accessible. Visitors with mobility needs are invited to visit the Lurie Carillon during the regular weekday recitals from 1:20–2:00 pm