City Government

Bells To Ring Out in Advance of Christmas Day

December 22, 2008

Divine intervention is not responsible for ringing the tower bells at City Hall. Nor does the city employ a team of elves to play them.

Folks outside can’t see him, but everyone can hear Jerrold Eilander playing Christmas carols at Churchill Square during the lunch hour this week on days leading up to Christmas.

“It’s fun to play Edmonton’s City Hall carillon,” says Eilander, a pianist with the Winspear Centre and company manager with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. “Edmontonians and vacationers who are strolling the streets of Edmonton actually stop and listen.”

There are 23 bells atop the 61-metre tower that can play 99 melodies. Hidden away in City Hall, Eilander puts them all to use with a custom electronic keyboard reserved for special occasions.

“It’s a bit of tricky instrument to play,” says Eilander. “I play on a small keyboard inside City Hall that’s connected to a computer that sends an electronic signal to make the bells ring about 60 metres above where I’m sitting.”

Come watch and record as Jerrold Eilander works his Christmas magic this week from noon to 1 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

For more information:

Betty Loree

Telephone	780-496-8217

Jerrold Eilander

Telephone	Cell 780-964-0422