49-Bell Plumb Memorial Carillon One of Finest in the Nation

Hartford, Conn. – Ellen Dickinson, a multi-talented musician, will begin her job as Trinity’s new carillonneur beginning September 1, it was announced by Trinity Chaplain Allison Read.

“I am thrilled that Ellen will join us,” said Read. “In consultation with leadership from the Guild of Carillonneurs of North America, an on-campus search committee…selected Ellen from among several qualified applicants. We were all very impressed with her application, performance, and interview.”

The carillon is one of the more unusual and unknown of all musical instruments. “Most people don’t know the carillon until at some point they’re at a place where there is one,” said Dickinson. “It’s not an instrument that students learn to play in the 4th grade.”

Ellen Dickinson, Trinity’s new carillonneur

In her case, Dickinson discovered the carillon at Yale University, where she received a B.A. in Music and a master’s degree in organ from the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music.

Upon entering Yale, Dickinson had already been interested in keyboard instruments, and the carillon caught her attention.  Although the carillon’s keyboard is laid out similar to a piano, the keys are bigger and heavier. Thus, it’s played with closed fists and feet, rather than with one’s fingers.

As an undergraduate, Dickinson was co-chair and Summer Carillonneur of the Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs. She has attended the Summer Academy at the Netherlands Carillon School in Amersfoort, and in June 2000, she played an advancement recital to become a carillonneur member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA). She serves as GCNA vice president and as editor of its annual Bulletin. Dickinson has performed carillon concerts throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Dickinson currently serves as Yale University's carillon consultant and adviser. She is Director of Music at Norfield Congregational Church in Weston, Connecticut. In 2006, she co-founded the Jubilate Ringers, a community hand bell ensemble. She is the founding director of the Weston Summer Chorus and directed the Yale Summer Chorus for five seasons.

At Trinity, Dickinson will play the carillon for such College events as convocation and commencement, as well as for Chapel events. She will also direct the Carillon Summer Music Series held on Wednesday evenings; instruct students in playing the carillon; oversee the use and maintenance of the instrument; and coordinate and promote the Trinity Guild of Carillonneurs.

Said Dickinson: “Trinity College has a beautiful carillon and a beautiful setting for listening to the carillon. It’s really exciting to be playing the instrument and to be working with Trinity students.”

The 49-bell Plumb Memorial Carillon housed in the Trinity Chapel tower is one of the finest in the country. Built by the John Taylor foundry, the carillon was dedicated in 1932, with the consecration of the Chapel. In 1934, Trinity President Remsen B. Ogilby founded the Guild of Carillonneurs of North America (GCNA). The carillon was expanded in 1978 from its original 30 bells to 49, which extended its range to four octaves. The bourdon weighs 5,600 pounds and is tuned to B natural.

“I trust that this historic instrument is in good hands and have no doubt that the tradition of excellent musicianship, as well as community life and student involvement that are the hallmarks of Trinity’s Plumb carillon, will continue,” said Read.