WALLACEBURG ARTS: The lost sounds of Wallaceburg

I belong to quite a few special interest Facebook groups including one titled “If You Grew Up in Wallaceburg Ontario, Canada, You Might Remember…”

On July 31, I woke-up feeling rather nostalgic and made a post titled “Things I Miss in Wallaceburg.” That post struck a chord with many people garnering 363 comments and 451 likes.

To be clear though, my life does not revolve around how many people respond to what I write. I was just pleased that it started some great conversation and memories.

A few of the things that I mentioned that I miss had to do with the “sounds” of Wallaceburg, including the Glass Factory Whistle (I at least knew what time it was three times a day!), the sound of trains going through town and the hydroplane races. Not everyone likely misses that noise, but it was a fixture on summer weekends in Wallaceburg for many years.

“So, what does this have to do with the arts?” one might ask. Another one of the distinctive sounds of Wallaceburg has now faded into the sunset.

In my mind, one of the sounds of beauty that has reigned over Wallaceburg for many years, has been the carillons playing from the rooftop of First Baptist Church on Napier Street.

Since 1972, the sounds of a carillon played each evening, on Sunday shortly after church, and occasionally for special events such as a wedding.

A carillon consists of a set of at least 23 cast bronze bells, often in a tower suspended high above a building such as a church (but not limited to) and played on a piano-like keyboard with clenched fists. Larger chimes also have foot pedals like a pipe organ.

A similar instrument with less than 23 bells is considered to be a “chime” and not a carillon.

The keys of the chime are mechanically connected to the “clapper” in each bell via a wire. The clapper strikes the bell, as the bells themselves do not move.

The most famous carillon in Canada is the one in the Peace Tower high above the Center Block of the House of Parliament in Ottawa.

Several years ago, my son Ryan and I were the guests of Bev and Barb Shipley on Parliament Hill for a day. One of the absolute highlights of our day-long tour was getting up into the Peace Tower where the carillon is played daily by Andrea McCrady, Canada’s official Dominion carillonneur.

On our VIP tour we were whisked by hundreds of tourists awaiting an elevator ride up the Peace tower to a special elevator that stopped at the room where the carillons’ console was located.

McGrady was so gracious in explaining the instrument to us, and we had the rare privilege of watching her perform. Carillonneurs are a rare breed, and I can assure readers that playing the carillon is a mechanically noisy task, and a serious physical workout!

The best part of our tour was when Ryan and I were both afforded the opportunity to ring one of the bells over Parliament Hill. It felt so good!

In getting back to the carillon high above First Baptist Church here in Wallaceburg, it must be explained that there are no real bells. A real carillon would have no-doubt cost in the millions of dollars.

The sounds of the First Baptist carillon are recordings.

In 1972, Don Harrett and his wife Grace were on a family vacation when Grace passed away very suddenly.

In memory of Grace, Don donated the Schulmerich carillon, where it has rung out over our community for the past 51 years.

While I have always loved the sounds of the carillon at any time, I particularly loved to go for a walk at night in the Christmas season and hear the old familiar carols ring out across the community.

But recently, the carillon has fallen silent.

It is now an electronic dinosaur that is no longer serviceable or at the very least, cost-effective to service.

The sounds were played from very large magnetic recording tapes that resemble the old 8-track tapes of yesteryear. The tape was pulled from the center of the reel and placed back on the outside. That they still exist at all without the oxide falling off the mylar backing is a testament to their longevity.

Just this past week, I went to the church and had my brother Doug who’s looked after the carillon for many years, attempt to start it up. Like an old tape deck with a worn-out belt, the tape moved very slowly providing comical slow-motion sounds for about two minutes before suddenly firing up to speed.

In taking advantage of the situation, Doug flipped the outside speakers off and I quickly started my digital recorder to preserve a copy of the sounds of the Christmas chimes that won’t be heard this coming Christmas season for the first time in 51 years. At least I have a digital recording for my personal use.

Another one of the sounds of Wallaceburg has now been silenced.

On another note (pun intended) the organ at First Baptist Church is slated to be removed very soon. It needs a great amount of work and there is no longer anyone to play it. The King of Musical Instruments will also fall silent.

On a much happier note, I’m pleased to announce that local clarinet virtuoso Gavin Warren is offering another recital Sept. 29 at 7 pm at First Baptist Church.

I had the pleasure of hearing Gavin rehearse a bit this past week and can assure everyone that as incredible as his May recital was, this one will top that one in terms of technical virtuosity. You will be wowed, and anyone serious about music should not miss this.

The recital will include pieces by Widor, the Weber Clarinet Concerto No. 1., and an unaccompanied selection that must be seen as well as heard. Gavin’s lightning fingers and impeccable articulation are difficult to describe.

It’s extremely rare that we have the opportunity to hear music of this caliber in Wallaceburg so I encourage everyone to take advantage of it.

Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door.

And don’t forget our Wallaceburg Concert Band concert in Brander Park in Port Lambton on Oct 1 at 2 pm As always, it’s free!