Baylor’s McLane Carillon Will Toll Nov. 11 to Commemorate 100th Anniversary of the End of World War I

November 8, 2018

Bells of Peace logo

McLane bells — McLane Carillon Bells, caption: Baylor University's McLane Carillon in the tower of Pat Neff Hall will participate in "Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance," a nationwide tolling of bells at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. , to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. (Matthew Minard/Baylor University)

Lynette — University Carillonneur Lynnette Geary will perform simultaneously with carillons across the United States as part of "Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance," at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. (Matthew Minard/Baylor University)

Baylor will join nationwide simultaneous tolling of bells as part of “Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance”

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-6275
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by Gabrielle White, student newswriter

WACO, Texas (Nov. 8, 2018) – Baylor University’s McLane Carillon in the tower of Pat Neff Hall will participate in “Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance,” a nationwide tolling of bells at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. , to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

This national program, led by the United States World War One Centennial Commission, is designed to honor the American men and women who served 100 years ago during World War I. The war ended by an armistice agreement between the warring countries at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, 1918 – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

On Sunday, University Carillonneur Lynnette Geary will perform simultaneously with carillons across the United States, beginning with a recital at 10:45 a.m. on the McLane Carillon. The recital will be followed by a 21-stroke toll at 11 a.m., as the McLane Carillon joins places of worship, schools, town halls, public carillons and cemeteries in tolling their bells as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice and service of veterans of World War I, and of all veterans.

Geary’s recital will begin with Genevan Psalter’s “Doxology,” followed by the “Prelude” from Prelude and Fugue for Carillon by Albert Gerken, the John Courter arrangement of “Abide With Me” by William Henry Monk and the Roy Hamlin Johnson arrangement of “Saint Anne” by William Croft. Geary will conclude with Geert D’Hollander’s “Da Pacem Domine,” the first movement from A Sacred Suite written for the Nov. 11, 2018, dedication of the Peace Carillon in the Norbertine Abbey of Park in Leuven, Belgium.

“Geert D’Hollander, who is the carillonneur at the Bok Tower Garden in Lake Wales, Florida, has written this special piece to commemorate the dedication of the Peace Carillon in Leuven,” Geary said. “Each of the three movements of A Sacred Suite is based on 16th-century Gregorian melody, and it has a very contemplative character.”

World War I took place between July 1914 and November 1918 and was one of the deadliest conflicts in world history. Over 9 million combatants and 7 million civilians died as a result of the war. The United States officially entered the war on April 6, 1917. Some 4.7 million Americans stepped forward to serve in uniform during the war, 2 million of whom were deployed overseas to fight, and 116,516 of them never made it home.

On April 6, 2018, the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission issued a public proclamation about the nationwide tolling of the Bells of Peace:

Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance

WHEREAS, a century ago 4.7 million American families sent their sons and daughters off to World War I;

WHEREAS, the resources of our entire nation were brought to bear on the war effort;

WHEREAS, 116,516 Americans gave their lives in the war, and more than 200,000 were wounded;

WHEREAS, the tolling of bells is a traditional expression of honor and remembrance; and

WHEREAS, in November 2018 the world will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the fighting in World War I at 11:00 a.m., November 11, 1918 – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the United States World War I Centennial Commission does hereby call upon all Americans across the nation to toll bells in remembrance of those who served in World War I at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 2018.

This carillon recital is free and open to the public. Founders Mall in front of Pat Neff Hall provides the best location to listen to the McLane Carillon. In the event of rain, the public is invited to use the covered walkway along the Draper Academic Building, facing Founders Mall.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.