We have a Carrilon and it plays music.  The system has disc lilke music that can get inserted and changed but for us, this stuff is pretty old.

You could refer your friend to the Carillon musician at the Parliament buildings.  That is a full time job , that person actually plays the bells but must know about where to get prerecorded stuff.

Our Carillon plays hymns for 15 minutes prior to service on Sunday and one hymn each day at noon. 

There are many commercial carillon companies. Shulmerich is the best known.  http://www.schulmerichbells.com/

 Don't however, even think of hooking a CD to a Tannoy horn on the church steeple and playing disco at 6:00 AM.

He has already played the blues but that was at 5 pm (on a Monday) so maybe people affirmed that sentiment.

Thanks for the suggestions, both of you. I will pass them along.

I believe disco is much more suited to midnight

I know a church here with many records. they are becoming obsolete. Wondermail me if I can be of help.

That would attract SOCAN fees.

DKS, explain please. i don't know what you mean.

If you are playing recorded music over a loudspeaker or equivalent it will likely count as a public performance.  Hence SOCAN fees may be payable.

We just got a note from our presbytery this week re playing the church bells in regard to the December Cogenhagen conference on the environment ... does that have anything to do with your request Mof5?  It sounded like a pretty cool idea to me.

I think you're probably right on the SOCAN fees, GordW. I'll remind that certain someone about this.

Carolla, can you tell me more? I haven't heard about this.

Mo5,

on my work account I have an e-mail  about the December 13th bell ringing.  I'll try to post info later.

Copenhagen is Coming!
What Will You Do?

The international climate change talks are set to start in Copenhagen in December, and the Earth’s future is at stake. It’s time for us to do everything we can to ensure that Canada takes a progressive stance at these negotiations, and that the world community emerges from Copenhagen with a just, binding, science-based climate treaty.

Brothers and sisters around the globe are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate injustice—show your solidarity with God’s peoples and the Earth!

RING YOUR BELLS!

KAIROS is asking every church in the country to ring its church bells 350 times for climate justice on Sunday December 13, 2009 at 3:00pm (your local timezone).

Sunday December 13 is a day of action for churches around the world. A global bell ringing action is timed to coincide with an ecumenical service that the World Council of Churches is coordinating at the height of the talks in Copenhagen. When it ends at 3:00 pm, churches all over Denmark will ring their bells.

If churches around the world ring their bells at 3:00 pm local time, we’ll have a 24 hour chain of bells!
Can’t manage at 3:00?
How about when church ends?
That way your entire church community can be involved!

Why church bells?
Because for thousands of years, they’ve been used to warn people of imminent danger … and also to call people to action.
Got no bells?
Gather outside with pots and pans, cowbells, whatever you have that can make a holy racket!

Why 350 times?
Because according to climate experts, 350 parts per million (ppm) is the upper limit for carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in our atmosphere. Until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 ppm of CO2, but now the concentration stands at 390 ppm. Unless we are able to rapidly reduce, we risk irreversible impacts on all of Creation.
350 a little too much noise for your neighbourhood?
Try 35!

The danger is real; the time to act is now!

To make sure people know why you’re ringing your bells, we’ve created a poster that you can put up outside your church. Register your event with us and we’ll send you a copy! You can also make banners or signs with slogans like “Ringing our Bells for Climate Justice Now! … Canada: Make a Real Deal in Copenhagen!” You could even invite those who pass by to come and join in. Offer some hot apple cider or another local drink! Bell ringing is a great intergenerational activity!
 

CLICK
HERE TO
REGISTER
YOUR CHURCH TO
RING 350 FOR COPENHAGEN

Remember! If you plan to ring your bells, let us know! Register your church on our Canadian Climate Bell Ringer list.

After the fact, send photos and/or videos of your activity to Sara Stratton, Education and Campaigns Coordinator for Sustainability: sstratton [at] kairoscanada [dot] org

ATTEND THE DAY OF ACTION

Saturday December 12 is the next global day for climate action. Find out what’s happening in your community, and join in. Nothing happening? Make something happen! Invite people you meet at the day of action to join with your church the next day for bell-ringing.

KEEP CURRENT WITH COPENHAGEN

KAIROS staff and partners will be on the ground in Copenhagen.

We will be sharing up-to-date reports from Copenhagen on the website and through Facebook and Twitter. To hear first hand from our staff and global partners in Copenhagen,

go to our website

.

Contact Sara Stratton, Education and Campaigns Coordinator for Sustainability at

sstratton [at] kairoscanada [dot] org

or by calling 1-877-403-8933x241.

Folks might also want to check their local noise bylaw (if your municipality has one). Ringing, tollling or pealing a church bell might spawn a noise complaint and the attention of a bylaw enforcement officer if it is not connected with a religious service.350 peals @ 5 sec each would last about 30 minutes. Do you REALLY want to tick your neighbours off that much?

Well, another option might be to get the local media's attention about the event too ... to let people know ahead of time about it so they can stock up on earplugs if they feel so inclined!   Also to bring some attention to the fact that churches do more than just pray ...

Good idea tho, to check noise bylaws.  Possibly an exemption/exception can be applied for ... I know in my municipality that can happen for special events. 

The Cathedral on church street (toronto) has a carillon. I took a tour one time.

Metropolitan United Church has a world-renowned carillon. But they are the exception as opposed to the rule

I can see how the nursing home next door would object. Frankly, I think this is an ill-conceived idea bred in Europe (it came from the World Council of Churches) and highly unaware of and insensitive to North American culture.

You're right DKS - church bells are much more a part of culture in Europe.  I must say I loved hearing them, even early inthe morning and right across the street, when I was in Italy a few years ago.  But then again, they rang for a few minutes, not a half hour.

When I was a kid, my great auntie lived in Alexandria ON - downthe street from the huge RC Cathedral & convent.  The bells there pealed out over the town half a dozen times every day ... kept us all knowing what time it was.

Why do you think we're so adverse to church bells in North America? 

Any number of reasons, including rampant anti-catholicism.