AN IN-PERSON LECTURE | PRE-REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY
This seasonal event will be held at the special venue of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, Sacred Space Room, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa
Like a phoenix, the Peace Tower and its carillon arose from fire and conflict. The Victoria Tower and its single clock bell, destroyed by the Centre Block blaze in 1916, were replaced in 1927 by the Peace Tower and its carillon of 53 bells, installed to keep in remembrance the sacrifice of Canada in the Great War. In the ensuing 97 years, five Dominion Carillonneurs have served to create a uniquely expressive musical voice on Parliament Hill reflecting all aspects of life. The current Dominion Carillonneur, Dr. Andrea McCrady, will chronicle the wide variety of events that the carillon accompanied, from solemn commemorations to festive celebrations.
We invite you to join us for light refreshments and a chance to mingle after the lecture and Q&A session.
SPEAKER: Dr. Andrea McCrady, Dominion Carillonneur
Dr. McCrady was appointed Dominion Carillonneur of the Peace Tower Carillon in 2008. She began playing the carillon in 1971 at Trinity College, Hartford, CT (B.A., 1975). While in Europe on a post-graduate fellowship, she studied at the carillon schools in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. During medical school at McGill University, Montreal, she was carillonneur at St. Joseph’s Oratory, followed by her hospital residency in Toronto, where she played at the University of Toronto and the Canadian National Exhibition. From 1990-2008, she coordinated the carillon program at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane, WA, where she also practiced family medicine.
In 2008, she retired from medicine upon receiving a Bachelor of Music magna cum laude from the University of Denver. She is an Adjunct Professor in carillon studies at Carleton University in Ottawa. Dr. McCrady served for many years on the board of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA), and as its President from 1988-89. She has co-chaired the GCNA Ronald Barnes Memorial Grant Fund and the Heritage Music Committee. She served as secretary of the World Carillon Federation (WCF), 1990 – 1996, and has performed for the 1996, 2002, 2014 and 2021 WCF congresses.
