Experience the return of the landmark 53-bell Charles Baird Carillon, which went silent this summer for replacement of the 30 largest clappers as well as a restoration of the great steel frame from which the 43 tons of bells are suspended. Guest artist Jonathan Lehrer, University Carillonist of Grand Valley State University and Michigan State University, will perform the rededication recital, beginning with the first full performance of "The Victors" on the Baird Carillon since the 2017 U-M Bicentennial as a duet with U-M University Carillonist Tiffany Ng. "The Victors" will also be livestreamed to SMTD's YouTube channel.

Lehrer's program includes "To The Sun," an interactive 10-minute performance for carillon and audience cell phones celebrating data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe. The U-M Detroit Observatory will coordinate a solar observation station at the base of the carillon throughout the recital, weather permitting. Their solar telescope provides magnificent views of sunspots, prominences, and more.

The outdoor audience listening space is Ingalls Mall, and listeners are advised to dress for the weather. Tours of the bell chamber will begin after the conclusion of the recital around 4:00 pm. The bell chamber may be accessed via a combination of elevator and stairs, and is not ADA accessible.

GUEST ARTIST BIO

JON LEHRER is the sixth University Carillonist of Michigan State University and the second University Carillonist of Grand Valley State University. A laureate of five international competitions for carillon (including the Queen Fabiola, the Nederlandse Klokkenspel Vereniging, and the Alexius Julien Baroque competitions), he is now a prolific soloist on the global stage, with a CV that includes touring overseas on behalf of the Canada Council for the Arts, teaching masterclasses at Universities across the nation, and performing hundreds of shows on the North American renaissance festival circuit. Jon studied carillon with Geert D’Hollander, Eddy Marien, Koen Cosaert, and Ellen Dickenson and holds degrees from Yale University and the Royal Carillon School of Belgium. Having recently retired from data science and cancer research, he is focused on creating moments of beauty for busy university communities, growing the carillon art, and helping to train the next generation of expressive carillon virtuosi. Jon lives in Michigan with his partner Christy and their two cat-café adoptees, Henry and Juliet.