MIDDLEBURY — The beautiful sounds of ringing bells will fill the air again this summer, as the 28th annual Middlebury College Carillon Series treats audiences to free performances on Friday evenings at 5 p.m. in and around Mead Memorial Chapel. Each year, musicians from around the world come to Middlebury to perform in the chapel’s soaring tower high above the college campus. All of the concerts are free and open to the public, and can be enjoyed inside Mead Chapel or on the surrounding lawns.
Organized by Middlebury College Organist and Professor Emeritus of Music Emory Fanning and Middlebury College Carillonneur George Matthew Jr., this year’s impressive lineup includes seven carillon concerts and a special “Carillon Series Extra” organ concert. Concerts are as follows:
•  George Matthew Jr., carillonneur at Middlebury College and Norwich University: Friday, July 5, at 5 p.m.
•  Elena Sadina, instructor at the Middlebury College Language Schools and the Royal Carillon School, Mechelen, Belgium: Friday, July 12, at 5 p.m.
•  Tatiana Lukyanova, instructor at the Royal Belgian Carillon School and St. Petersburg Conservatory: Friday, July 19, at 5 p.m.
•  “Carillon Series Extra,” organ concert by Tatiana Lukyanova, Sunday, July 21, sponsored by the Middlebury College Russian School. Please note special start time of 4 p.m.
•  Sergei Gratchev, instructor and carillonneur in Hulst, Netherlands, and at the Middlebury College Russian School, Friday, July 26, at 5 p.m.
•  Philippe Beullens, associate city carillonneur, Mechelen and Leuven, and Instructor at St. Martin’s College in Overijse, Belgium: Friday, Aug. 2, at 5 p.m.
•  Gordon Slater, Canadian Dominion carillonneur emeritus: Friday Aug. 9, at 5 p.m.
•  George Matthew Jr., carillonneur at Middlebury College and Norwich University: Friday, Aug. 16, at 5 p.m. (Matthew will repeat this program at 7 p.m. to precede the Middlebury College Language School’s commencement ceremonies.)
All performances take place at Mead Memorial Chapel, located on the campus of Middlebury College at 75 Hepburn Road. Free parking is available on Route 125/College Street, and on Old Chapel Road. In the case of inclement weather, the concerts will still take place, and audiences are welcome to listen from inside the chapel or on the chapel steps and front landing. For further information, contact the Mahaney Center for the Arts at 802-443-3168 or www.middlebury.edu/arts. See a full schedule of campus events at www.middlebury.edu/events.