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.
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.