Robin Austin is a carillonneur of national prominence and wrote the following letter urging preservation of the Grace Church Carillon.
TO: The Honorable Adrian Mapp, Mayor, City of Plainfield
The Most Reverend William Stokes, Bishop, The Diocese of New Jersey
The Honorable Barry N. Goode, President & Councilman-at-Large, First and Fourth Wards, Plainfield City Council
Ms. Valerie Jackson, Director, City of Plainfield, Office of Economic Development
Mr. Bill Michelson, Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission
Ms. Karen Moore and Mr. Jason Algeo, Wardens, Grace Episcopal Church
RE: Pittis Family Carillon, Grace Episcopal Church, Plainfield, New Jersey
Dear Mayor Mapp, Bishop Stokes, President Goode, Director Jackson, Mr. Michelson, Ms. Moore and Mr. Algeo:
I am writing to express my support for the preservation of the Pittis Family Carillon at Grace Episcopal Church. I am Grace Church’s former carillonneur (1985-1990). I have also held positions at Princeton University (1993-2012) and The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon (2012-2014).
During my years at Grace playing this magnificent carillon, I had the great pleasure of befriending Albert, Bertram and Albert Pittis, the nephews of Dr. Albert Pittis (1873-1927), the carillon’s benefactor in 1922. The three brothers preserved all of their uncle’s correspondence, which enabled me to write a detailed history. The article was published in 1993 in our scholarly journal, the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America Bulletin. Here’s a link to the article: https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ahz_5LuLUPxGgvBiDAH-7eoEl6vf-A?e=pcX2re
The Pittis Family Carillon at Grace Church is without question a national treasure! Thanks to Dr. Pittis, his vision and generosity, this carillon is the first in the United States by the renowned English founder Gillett & Johnston. Grace Church was first among many famous carillons installed in the United States during the 1920s, including those donated by John D. Rockefeller (Riverside Church, New York and University of Chicago) as well as the Houses of Parliament (Ottawa, Canada), and Princeton University among others.
I can attest to the outstanding musical quality of the Pittis Family Carillon, having played nearly 200 carillons worldwide as a professional carillonneur. It is an exceptionally beautiful instrument! The Pittis Family Carillon was the last design of Princeton professor Arthur Lynds Bigelow (1910-1967). The carillon incorporates Bigelow’s innovations, including the addition of bells from the world famous French founder Paccard. While Bigelow sadly passed away before he could finish the expansion of the Pittis Family Carillon, it was Walter and Bertram Pittis, Princeton engineering graduates and Bigelow’s former students, who masterfully completed the installation in 1975, adding their own ingenious designs to this beautiful musical instrument.
I respectfully urge each of you to do all you can to ensure that this unique treasure remains in situ in the tower of Grace Episcopal Church – and that the Pittis Family Carillon again be played for the enjoyment of the community! The 47 bells of the Pittis Family Carillon must remain forever together. They constitute an exceptional musical instrument. To remove or separate these bells would be a musical tragedy not unlike deconstructing a Steinway concert grand piano. While I add this reluctantly, if removal of the Pittis Family Carillon is unavoidable, a new, loving home must be found for this great carillon in another house of worship, educational or charitable institution.
Please feel free to contact me. I would be more than happy to answer any questions as well as travel to Plainfield to meet with you. Thank you for your leadership in preserving this musical treasure for future generations!
Sincerely,
Robin Austin
Former carillonneur, Grace Episcopal Church (1985-1990)
Princeton University (1993-2012)
The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon (2012-2014)