On Tuesday evening, March 23rd, Sarasota residents will have a rare opportunity to see a 48-bell, 5 1/2-ton traveling carillon in performance at the Westfield Sarasota Square Mall (at Beneva and U.S. 41). Two performances will be given - the first, at 6:00 pm, will be by the silent, masked “Spirit of the Bells” and the second, at 7:00 pm, will be an interactive discussion/recital by Sarasota resident Wylie Crawford, who is the president of the World Carillon Federation.

Carillons are massive sets of bronze bells, typically found in universities or church towers. These bells are connected to a six-foot long console that is activated by the performer’s hands and feet. The performer is known as a “carillonneur,” and as the French flavor of this word indicates, carillons originated in northern Europe. They were first built in the early 1500s, yet they are still being manufactured today - in France, as well as in The Netherlands, England and the United States.

Perhaps the best-known carillon in Florida is the Bok Singing Tower at the Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, which offers regular live performances on its 60-bell, 60-ton instrument. While these performances are televised, visitors are not permitted to see and appreciate the bells up close.

Driving directions to Traveling Carillon Comes to Sarasota

8201 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34238