The Center for Humanities in Medicine supports Mayo Clinic’s primary value, the needs of the patient come first, by integrating the arts and other expressions of human culture into the healing environment. The Center engages interconnected communities of patients, families, staff, learners, and the public to promote the artful and compassionate delivery of healthcare. Humanities in Medicine activities are open to Mayo Clinic patients, staff, visitors and community members and are made possible by the generous donations of grateful benefactors.

Public blog

The Rochester Carillon

Inspired by a love of music and the desire to honor American soldiers following the First World War, the original 23 bells were the gift of Drs. William J. and Charles H. Mayo. They were cast in the foundry of Gillett & Johnston in Croydon, England, and consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury before shipment to the United States. The largest bell is almost six feet tall and weighs 7,840 lbs.

Thirty-three bells, along with a new clavier (keyboard), practice console and glass-enclosed performer’s cabin, were added to the carillon in 1977. These enhancements were made possible with gifts from Mrs. Frances G. Sheets and Mrs. Isabella Gooding Sanders, descendants of Alphonso Gooding, a Rochester pioneer. The smallest of these bells weighs a mere 19 pounds.

The new bells were cast at the Petit & Fristen Foundry in Aarle-Rixtel, Holland. Now at 56 bells, the Rochester Carillon covers a 4.5 octave range and is the largest musical instrument in the state of Minnesota. Mayo Clinic is the only medical center in North America to have a carillon.

For more information, please email carillon@mayo.edu.

 

Mayo Clinic Carillon Intensive

The Mayo Clinic Dolores Jean Lavins Center for Humanities is pleased to announce the launch of a new carillon intensive program at our Rochester, Minnesota campus. This unique opportunity is designed to enhance your carillon skills through a week-long immersive experience.

The Rochester Carillon is a 1928/1977 installation with bells from Gillett & Johnston and Petit & Fritsen, respectively. The instrument was recently rebuilt and equipped with a new bell layout, playing action, and World Standard console. More information may be found on the Mayo Clinic History and Heritage website.

Program Highlights:

  • Duration: Monday through Friday, with dates mutually agreed upon by the awardee and host. Five 20-30-minute recitals will be given during the week (one per day), providing ample performance experience.
  • Practice and Performance: Enjoy generous practice time on the carillon, lessons in performance, composition, and/or arranging, and the opportunity to perform daily recitals.
  • Recording: Benefit from state-of-the-art recording equipment, making this opportunity ideal for carillonneurs working towards the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America’s Associate Carillonneur and/or Carillonneur exams.
  • Financial Support: Awardees will receive an honorarium per recital, along with reimbursement for lodging and meals.

 Call for Carillonneurs:

  • Requirements: Applicants will provide a short statement outlining goals for the intensive, two references (including one from a current carillon instructor, if a student), two sample programs, and at least ten minutes of recordings. Priority will be given to current students, though the intensive is open to all.
  • Submission Period: The call for submissions opens on February 1, 2025, and closes on March 31, 2025. Materials are available for download here.
  • Contact: For more information, please contact Austin Ferguson, Mayo Clinic Carillonneur, at carillon@mayo.edu.

We look forward to welcoming talented carillonneurs to this exciting new program!