Carillon Congress concerts pair Naperville bells

One isn't such a lonely number in the world of carillons.

Naperville's Millennium Carillon, well, she's used to being bigger than other musical instruments. And louder. And, frankly, she relishes being the star of her own show.

But she's going to be learning to share at this year's 68th Carillon Congress in Naperville today through Thursday.

"It isn't that it doesn't play well with others," said Tim Sleep, Naperville's head carillonneur. "Playing with another instrument just has some pretty unique challenges."

More than 150 carillon lovers from throughout the world will marvel at her elegance and beauty and enjoy the experiment of pairing her with other instruments.

Each congress held by the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America has a theme and this year's is the carillon with other instruments such as percussion and orchestra.

"Ninety-five, 98 percent of the time, we play by ourselves, so it's not like you're a vocalist who always has a piano accompaniment," Sleep said. "Being a carillonneur is a solitary existence. We're up in the air. Often we don't see our audience. Putting it with other instruments is a growth experience for both the carillon and the carillonneur."

The annual congress mixes business with pleasure. Several lectures, workshops and business meetings take place Sunday through Thursday, as well as public recitals at 7 and 8 p.m. today, Monday and Wednesday, June 13, 14 and 16.

Today, the Naperville Park District Concert Dance Ensemble will perform in the plaza at the base of the carillon to the music it plays.

Wednesday's performances focus on Naperville and will feature a 25-minute piece written for the carillon by Naperville Central Director of Percussion Ben Wahlund.

The piece will be played by Sue Bergren, an assistant carillonneur in Naperville. Her daughter Maggie will accompany her by playing her drums atop the carillon tower. Maggie's performance will be played on a large screen TV at the base of the carillon so people can see it.

"There's some unique challenges to playing with an instrument that is that big and that loud and that tall," Sleep said. "But this will be a spectacular performance."

Bergren will play in the cabin about 100 feet above the ground, while Maggie will play from the observation level 40 feet above her.

"You can't see each other and you can barely hear each other," Sleep said. "You have to figure out how to keep it together."

During practices, a person with a walkie-talkie on the ground communicates with the musicians to tell them if they're too loud or not together.

"It's a question of balance of volume and then timing artistry," Sleep said.

The congress coincides with the 10th anniversary of the carillon's construction. Throughout the years, it has become a community icon and a place were people gather to mourn, such as after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, as well as a place to celebrate weddings and the homecoming of celebrities like Olympic figure skating gold medalist Evan Lysacek.

The congress last was held in the Chicago area in 1977. Carillonneurs from France, Spain, Belgium, Australia and Canada are expected to attend.

Pairing the carillon with other instruments is a challenge, but trying new things and pushing the envelope to become the best is what Naperville is all about, said Fred Gusel, superintendent of recreation.

"It's exciting for us. It's Naperville," Gusel said. "We pride ourselves on being the best that we can, and this is just another example of that."

Although the Naperville Millennium Carillon will be learning to make nice with others this weekend, she'll always be the star of the show to those who play and love her, Sleep said.

"She is very elegant and responsive to play," he said. "The carillon is capable of producing a wide range of emotions."

Throughout the summer, weekly concerts take place at the carillon 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, noon on Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays.

This week's Tuesday concert is canceled due to the event.

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>If you go</b></p>

<p class="factboxtext12col">What: Carillon Congress performances</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col">When: 7 and 8 p.m. today, Monday and Wednesday, June 13, 14 and 16</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col">Where: Naperville Millennium Carillon, near Rotary Hill on Aurora Avenue west of Eagle Street</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col">Cost: Free</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col">Info: (630) 848-5000 or napervilleparks.org</p>