The 54 bells of Metropolitan United Church's Massey/Drury Memorial Carillon are located high in the tower facing Queen Street. Metropolitan's Carillonneur, Roy Lee, performs before each Sunday service and at special events through the year.
ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT
Installed in 1922, Metropolitan's carillon was the first well-tuned carillon in North America. The first 23 bells, cast by the Gillett & Johnston Bellfoundry in England, were donated by Chester D. Massey as a memorial to his wife, Margaret Phelps Massey. The largest bell, or bourdon, weighs 8,456 pounds (3,836 kg). It is 72 inches (183 cm) in diameter, and is almost the same in width.
In 1960, twelve midrange bells, cast by Petit & Fritsen in the Netherlands, were added. They were a gift from Dr. Charles Drury.
In 1971, nineteen small bells, cast by Paccard in France, were donated by the Massey Foundation, bringing the total to its current complement of 54 bells (four and a half octaves). The installation was completed in 1972, in time for the 50th anniversary of the carillon.
Between 2019 and 2022, a major renovation project was conducted by Meeks, Watson & Company of Ohio. The improvements made to the carillon included:
New cast-iron ball clappers and headpieces for all bells, and return/counter springs
New playing keyboard (North American standard) and adjustable bench
New transmission actions for all bells
Retuning of the 1960 Dutch bells to correct a pitching error made at the time they were cast
Repositioning the upper 26 bells to the front (south side) of the bell chamber and hanging them on a new frame, to improve sound egress, as well as to provide optimal positioning for the new actions
The transposition of the instrument was also changed. Before the renovation, the bourdon (sounding a low A) was connected to the C key/pedal on the old keyboard. Now, the bourdon is connected to the B-flat key/pedal on the new keyboard. In other words, the transposition is now down by a minor second. The new playing keyboard has a manual range of B-flat, C, D chromatic to F (4.5 octaves), and a pedal range of B-flat, C, D chromatic to C (2 octaves).
THE SCENE IN 1922
Metropolitan's Carillon was dedicated on Sunday, April 2, 1922.
According to the Globe, "every available seat in the church was taken, while huge crowds of people lined Queen, Bond and Church streets. Promptly at 10.30, and amid an impressive hush that fell on the waiting throngs, the sweet and beautiful notes of the chimes vibrated for the first time in a paean of praise to the Creator and Giver of every good and perfect gift." The Toronto Daily Star reported that there were thousands of listeners that morning.
On each of the original 23 bells of the carillon is inscribed: "May the Spirit of the Lord reach the heart of every one where the sound of these bells is heard." The inscription serves as a mission statement for the church's carillon: a reminder about its potential as part of the church's outreach to the wider community is cast right into the bronze. On the day after the carillon's dedication in 1922, the Globe reported that it was the wish and expectation that Metropolitan would stand "pre-eminent on the continent for the beauty and sweetness of its bell music, with exquisite melody pouring daily out of its 'singing tower' to cheer the workers in the vast city that surrounds it." A century later, there are many more workers needing cheer, and many more hearts for the Holy Spirit to fill through the beauty of the bell music.
REDEDICATION IN 2022
On October 16, 2022, Metropolitan will celebrate the centenary of its carillon and its rededication following the completion of a multi-year carillon renovation project (somewhat delayed due to the global pandemic). Metropolitan's Carillonneur, Roy Lee, will perform a 30-minute recital (10:30-11am) before worship. After the service (at around 12:20pm), a short rededication ceremony will take place, including the performance by featured guest recitalist Margaret Pan of the world premiere of "Bells United" by Naoko Tsujita, an original carillon composition specially commissioned for this occasion.
The rededication weekend festivities will also feature a conference for about 25 carillon students and professional performers, travelling from as far away as Boston and Chicago, to participate in presentations, lectures and masterclass sessions.