An echoing chime of bells will float through Grand Valley's Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses as Julianne Vanden Wyngaard, University Carillonneur, performs traditional holiday songs to ring in the season.
The first concert will begin at noon on Tuesday, December 21, at the Cook Carillon tower on the Allendale campus. Listeners will be provided with refreshments and will have the opportunity to climb the 61 steps of the tower for a look at how the bells are rung.
She will also perform her annual 45-minute long Christmas Eve concert, which will begin at 9:30 p.m. at the Beckering Family Carillon on the Pew Grand Rapids campus. This year's lineup will have a new piece titled "Prelude and Pastorale" written by John Courter, a professor of music at Berea College in Kentucky.
The Christmas Eve tradition was started in 2000, so those going to or coming from church could enjoy the sound of the tower's 48 bells. Visitors are welcome to listen from their cars, the base of the tower, or while walking the campus.
"We have watched the public's awareness of the concert grow steadily each year," said Vanden Wyngarrd. "It's a very rewarding experience. I don't get to see a lot of people, because they're in their cars and out of the cold, but I get a lot of comments afterwards."
