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Carillon
48th Annual Summer Carillon Concert Series
During the summer of 2026, McDonogh will host the 48th Annual Summer Carillon Concert Series. Featuring renowned carillonneurs from across North America, these free concerts will be held rain or shine each Friday in July.
All concerts are held in Tagart Memorial Chapel and begin at 7:00 p.m.—with the gate at Shell Road opening at 6:00 p.m.—and typically run for one hour. Guests are invited to picnic on the grounds surrounding the chapel or enjoy the recitals from inside. Tours of the tower will be given after each concert. Children are welcome to use the playground behind the Lower School.
Summer 2026 Recitalists
- July 3: Buck Lyon-Vaiden (McDonogh School)
- July 10: Gerald Martindale (Toronto, Canada)
- July 17: Keiran Cantilina (Cleveland, Ohio)
- July 24: Michelle Lam (Washington, D.C.)
- July 31: John Gouwens (Bloomington, Indiana)
McDonogh's Carillonneur
Buck Lyon-Vaiden
Buck Lyon-Vaiden, a member of the Foreign Language Department of McDonogh School for 36 years before retiring in 2007, became interested in the carillon while a student at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, where he began studying under Albert Bonholzer in 1963. He played there regularly until his graduation in 1967. He continued his studies with Frank Dellapenna after the installation of the McDonogh Carillon in October 1978. An associate member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, he plays the McDonogh Carillon for various school events. He has organized the McDonogh Summer Carillon Concert Series since its inception in 1979 and continues to serve as the School Carillonneur.
The Bells of McDonogh's Carillon
A carillon consists of 23 or more cast bronze bells connected with mechanical wires to a keyboard and a pedalboard. The keyboard is similar to that of a piano; it is split into two rows of spindle-like wooden keys that are struck by half-closed fists. The pedalboard, similar to that of an organ, controls the two lowest octaves. Repertoire ranges from original compositions to arrangements of classical music, hymns, and popular melodies.
The McDonogh Carillon, one of approximately 180 in North America and only three in Maryland, includes 48 bells weighing a total of nearly 10 tons. The smallest is 24 pounds and has a diameter of 7 ½ inches; the largest weighs more than 1.6 tons and has a diameter of 53 inches. The bells were cast and tuned in the Netherlands by the Petit and Fritsen Foundry, which dates back to 1660. Additionally, there is a practice keyboard in the bell tower that is attached to a set of tuned bars, similar to a xylophone.
Throughout the year, the carillon chimes the Westminster Quarters and Hours. When school or camp is in session, 23 bells are programmed to play a hymn or familiar tune every weekday in the morning and again in the afternoon. During the summer, McDonogh hosts a Carillon Concert Series. Guests are invited to picnic on the grounds surrounding Tagart Memorial Chapel or enjoy the free recitals from inside. Tours of the tower are typically given after each concert.
Buck Lyon-Vaiden is McDonogh's resident carillonneur. He learned to play at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Lyon-Vaiden plays for many events during the school year, including Dedication Day, the Alumni Memorial Service, Head of School Day, and Commencement. By request, he will play for weddings and other ceremonies on campus.