Solstice Bells

About this event

Solstice Bells is an invitation to join people in over 160 countries in the Northern Hemisphere as light and sound unite us in a global chorus of hope. How? Through the light of the Winter Solstice on Dec 21st and the timeless resonance of a bell. At the moment when darkness reaches its greatest extent and the Earth begins to return toward the light, people everywhere will ring bells — from bell towers to bicycle bells — creating a shared moment that reminds us of our enduring hope in a more united and peaceful world. For more information about Solstice Bells, please visit, solsticebells.org. Event Details At Grace Cathedral, a composition written for carillon specifically for this global performance by Darren Zhu will be played at the exact moment of the winter solstice. Inspired by the changing relationship between the Earth and the sun, the composition transforms the rhythms of light into music that anyone, anywhere can play. We invite everyone to join us on the Plaza next to Grace Cathedral. Bring a bell to ring and let’s make a joyful noise! Sonatine (Stefano Colletti) — Dordrecht Carillon — Performed by Darren Zhu About Grace Cathedral’s Carillon Grace Cathedral’s bell carillon was the gift of Dr. Nathaniel T. Coulson (1853-1945), a British-born orphan and seaman, become San Francisco dentist and investor. Coulson gave his fortune to build the north or Singing Tower of the cathedral (1939-1941), and to supply it with a carillon of forty-four bronze bells from the Gillet and Johnston bell foundry in Croydon, England (cast 1937-1938). During his last years he lived on a dollar a day to realize his goal. The carillon was cast and ready well before the tower, so it was arranged to lend it to the 1939-1940 Golden Gate International Exposition on newly-created Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. The steel cage and bronze bells were placed in the lantern of the soaring Tower of the Sun, the centerpiece of the fair On Christmas Eve, 1940, the carillon was…

Description from gracecathedral.org