It is not every day a carillon is installed in Canada.

In fact, it has been almost fifty years since Canada’s eleventh carillon was installed, but Canada’s twelfth carillon has been installed at Yorkminster Park this summer. Thanks to two very generous gifts, one from our original donor of the memorial bells, Judy MacDonald, and a second made by the late Tom Logan prior to his passing, we have installed an additional twenty-three memorial bells and a carillon keyboard from which they can be played. The additional memorial bells and the keyboard will all be dedicated to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Dr. Donald MacDonald and for the Logan Family. We pray that these bells will be the instruments of many a joyful song unto the Lord!

We have planned a weekend of dedication and celebration.
From Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 1, our special guest for the weekend will be Dr. Andrea McCrady, the Dominion Carillonneur from the Peace Tower in Ottawa. Dr. McCrady will give a lecture on Friday evening, play a recital on Saturday afternoon and be on hand to play for the Dedication Service on Sunday morning followed by a recital after the service. We are honoured to have Dr. McCrady as our guest as she is one of the leading carillonneurs in North America. She anticipates a number of carillonneurs from Toronto and beyond will visit the tower on the inaugural weekend in order to celebrate the arrival of North America’s newest carillon. Some of them may also offer a piece or two on the Saturday.

Video: David King
Photography: Rob Mee

Schedule of Events:

July 10, 6:30 am – 5:00 p.m.
Memorial Bells and Carillon keyboard installed in Yorkminster Park Bell Tower

Friday, September 29, 7:00 p.m.
YP Speakers Series presents: Dr. Andrea McCrady, Canada’s Dominion Carillonneur from the Peace Tower in Ottawa. “Toronto: Home of the Oldest and Newest Carillons in North America”

Saturday, September 30, 4:00 p.m.
Inaugural Recital on the Yorkminster Park Carillon with Dr. McCrady

Sunday, October 1, 11:00 a.m.
Dedication of the Yorkminster Park Carillon

Sunday, October 1, 12:30 p.m.
Sunday Recital on the YP Carillon with Dr. McCrady