To the Honorable Mayor Mapp, Bishop Stokes, President Goode, Director Jackson, Mr. Michelson, Ms. Morre, Mr. Algeo and Concerned Citizens:
My name is Lisa Lonie, a carillonneur from the Philadelphia area. I serve two parishes, as well as Princeton University as its University Carillonneur. I have over 40 years of experience in concertizing and teaching.
I am writing to join the support of my carillon colleagues to encourage the preservation of the Pittis family carillon bells located at Grace Church, Plainfield, NJ. I would like to focus my comments on the instrument’s musical relevance to a community and my hope that the instrument remains a manually played carillon.
I believe the primary motivation of the Pittis family to donate the bells nearly 100 years ago was not for the elusive enjoyment of the parishioners of Grace Church, but rather as a gift to Plainfield – to promote community engagement and unity in a new and artistic way.
Unlike other instruments which are heard within the confides of a building, the music of the carillon can spread upwards of 1/2 mile in all directions, traveling freely into the surrounding neighborhoods. One can only image the impactful and inspiring music that was heard in the 1920s, and continued until 2020 when sadly the pandemic and other factors silenced the music in Plainfield.
Neither wearing out nor falling out of tune, the Pittis carillon bells are a lasting and outward expression of the voice and cultural fabric of Plainfield. When they rang and the songs they played expressed the hopes, sorrows, celebrations and joys of all who heard it.
Whether in a concert setting or a weekly ringing session, the carillon fosters community – bringing people together for a free and accessible musical experience. This is particularly relevant for those under-served populations who otherwise cannot attend, nor afford a traditional concert-hall experience. Everyone, regardless of income or physical ability can enjoy “music on the green.” In the words of noted campanologist, Percival Price, “The carillon is a civic instrument that represents to the poor man the privilege of enjoying the rich man’s concert.”
In closing, the relative scarcity of this magnificent, multi-ton instrument – particularly for New Jersey – makes the preservation of the Pittis carillon even more critical and important. Every effort should be made to keep the carillon in its current location. However, should circumstances preclude this, it is imperative that the Pittis carillon remains complete as a manually played 47 bell carillon, and is relocated so that it may honor its past while being appropriately supported to continue its musical legacy: to enrich and enhance the community in which it resides.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Lisa J. Lonie, Carillonneur