ATHENS, W.Va. – Jesse Ratcliffe, Carillonneur and Choir Director at McMurry University, will present a concert on the Marsh Memorial Carillon at Concord University on Wednesday, May 4 at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the music from either the lawn in front of Marsh Hall or under the covered walkway at University Point.
Jesse is a 2010 graduate of Concord University and a native of Hinton. He went on to study at Shenandoah Conservatory, Westminster Choir College, and the North American Carillon School. For seven seasons, he served as Carillonneur at the Luray Singing Tower in Luray, Va.
The program will feature music ranging from patriotic tunes, hymns, and familiar classical melodies, to Broadway and Disney melodies, ragtime, and more. Jesse will be available afterwards to talk with the audience about the instrument and program.
Concord University houses West Virginia’s only true carillon and one of only 185 in the United States. The instrument, located on top of Marsh Hall, has 48-bells with the largest bell weighing around 4,000 pounds. Funding for the instrument and establishment of a carillon and organ endowment was provided by former Concord President, Dr. Joseph F. Marsh.
No tickets are required and the event is free to the public. For more information on the performance or to schedule a tour of the carillon contact Dr. Jacob Womack at 304-384-5306 or email him at jwomack@concord.edu.
