BY Sofia Ellis
Image credit - Top photo by Kendra Stanley-Mills
Jun 22, 2026
The Summer Carillon Concert Series returns June 30 with
a performance by Julianne Vanden Wyngaard, former GVSU carilloneur
and professor emerita of music.
Vanden Wyngaard's 6 p.m. concert at the Cook Carillon
Tower will be the first of six events that run weekly through August
4. The carillon concert series is free to attend, featuring food trucks and an
opportunity to enjoy evenings on the Valley Campus during its
quieter season.
A guest carilloneur will perform an hour of music for
guests to enjoy each Tuesday evening. Jon Lehrer, the current carilloneur, hand-picked these performers to create what he called
an “all-star American lineup.” Each musician’s performance will be
unique and provide something for everyone to appreciate.
Jon Lehrer is pictured in 2025 when he was introduced during a meeting
as university carilloneur. The Summer Carillon Concert Series returns on
June 30.
Image credit - Cory Morse
“You'll hear classical music, you'll hear pieces that
were composed specifically for carillon, you'll hear film scores,
popular music, folk music," Lehrer said. "It's a nice mix
of different styles over the course of the hour."
The open structure of the concert series also allows
attendees to soak in the music and Grand Valley’s campus, however
they prefer.
“People can bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs, food
or drink. There’ll be food trucks available. It’s fine to listen
while sitting, lying down or taking a stroll; kids can go off and
play nearby if they want. It’s a nice time outdoors where you can
enjoy music,” said Lehrer.
Lehrer said the carillon concerts increase
accessibility to music.
“Not everybody engages with music the same way. For
example, if you love music, but you’re neurodivergent, sitting still
in a concert hall to take in your music is not necessarily the
natural way that works for you," he said. "Being able to
do it outdoors, in a more casual environment, helps with the accessibility.”
Bringing back the Summer Carillon Concert Series after
its hiatus is a part of Lehrer’s larger goal of bringing Lakers
together through music. He expressed the value in hosting events
like these for the larger GVSU community.
“We're learning every day just how important it is to
be out in nature, to engage with the arts, to be around other people
and to absorb some vitamin D, slow down and take in something
beautiful," he said. "What I love about the carillon is
that it’s able to meet all of these different needs at once through
an event like this.”
— Sofia Ellis is a senior majoring in writing and a
student writer for University Communications.
