Belgium / Wallonia  |  March 1, 2025

The carillon, an instrument in its own right in the Walloon local music schools

Since 2009, the carillon course has been organized in the Walloon music academies as a "heritage" instrument. It was already a great step forward for Wallonia to give an official status to this course.

However, learning the instrument has been considered a complementary course; it is not an instrument course like the violin, flute or piano for example. We choose a course, not a musical instrument--a course that is added to others.

The music academy is the music school for all beginners, whether they are children, young people or adults. It is the "Royal Conservatories", the IMEP and the Lemmens Institute in Belgium that organize higher education at the "Master" level.

The good news of 2024 is the recognition of the carillon course as an instrument course in its own right. This will certainly create a higher level of demand, but also the notion of equivalence to other instruments will be felt by young and old musicians when they register.

The heritage status remains in place. This involves playing both the local repertoire and that of carillon composers, passing on the know-how of one's predecessors and making Walloon carillons ring.

Currently, four music academies offer the possibility of learning the carillon: Soignies, Ath, Wavre and Liège. The academies of Mons and Tournai could follow in their footsteps in the future.

All that remains is to organize this teaching in one of the Royal Conservatories!

Wavre  |  Belgium / Wallonia  |  June 7, 2024

The Wavre carillon has a makeover

In 1954, 49 bells were installed in the tower of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church.

No major work had been done in 70 years and signs of wear were beginning to jeopardize its operation.

Thanks to the Church Factory, the City of Wavre, VisitWavre, Koen Van Assche (consultant), Audrey Dye (carillonneur) and the Royal Eijsbouts firm, the restoration project was able to see the light of day.

Specifically, what has changed?

The arrangement of the bells has been revised. The Wavre carillon is now more audible in the city center.
All the bell hammers have been changed, as well as the most worn linkage and clappers.
A new keyboard replaces the old one, which was deformed by use and water infiltration.
A pneumatic auto-play system has replaced the electric hammers.

Inauguration of the restored carillon

Blessing, official inauguration, concerts of carillon only and carillon plus, and guided tours took place on the weekend of April 15-16, 2023. There was even a preview with the descendants of the godmothers of the bells.

New adventures are being developed thanks to the City, the Carillon Committee, the students in the class and especially Audrey Dye, the carillonneur!

Gembloux  |  Belgium / Wallonia  |  March 8, 2024

The 60th anniversary of the Gembloux carillon

Sixty years ago, in the belfry, the 5-ton great bell was cracked. The town of Gembloux preferred to replace it with a light carillon of 47 bells. A carillonistic adventure began!

This Petit & Fritsen carillon was increased by 2 Voegelé bells in 2012 and later by an additional bass bell from P & F. The appointed carillonist of this central carillon in Wallonia is the Past President of the ACW, Serge Joris. He is assisted in his task by Cécile Vandenbyvang who studies carillon at the Wavre Academy. The most recent adventure is the discovery of a 17th century foundry in the foundations of the Belfry, where intact molds were found!

The anniversary of the carillon was celebrated with dignity on October 7: concerts on the tower carillon and on the Bell Lab carillon, a treasure hunt in the city, a presentation of the academy's percussion instruments, visits to the belfry, poetry and songs by the students of the music theory course. All Gembloutois know their carillon and can better appreciate its music now!

The belfort of Gembloux

The carillon consists of 50 bells.