St. Stephen’s Church announces the Summer Carillon Concert Series to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Stephen’s Carillon

June 27, 2024 By St. Stephens Church

St. Stephen’s Church, located on the hill above Cohasset Common, announces that it will mark the 100th anniversary of the carillon’s installation with a summer carillon concert series.

“Here in Cohasset, we have one of the oldest concert series in the United States,” says John Whiteside, music director and carillonneur at St. Stephen’s Church. “Our carillon was installed in 1924, and the first concert was given that summer by renowned carillonneur Kamiel Lefevre. Since that first concert, St. Stephen’s has hosted a concert series every summer, making it the oldest continuous concert series in the United States.”

St. Stephen’s has the largest carillon in New England, measured by the number of bells. It is one of the few carillons in the world with a range sufficient to perform any piece composed for the carillon. The bourdon, or lowest, bell weighs 11,280 pounds and sounds the note G; the smallest bell sounds the note E and weighs 29 pounds.

The 100th Anniversary Concert Series will be held on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. July 7 through August 25. The carillon is an outdoor instrument and is best heard from around the church. Many people come to the church yard where there is a seating area on the patio. Others listen from the Town Common and bring a blanket and snacks to enjoy the listening. We look forward to seeing you this summer!