On Saturday The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is hosting its annual Fourth of July Carillon Concert on the grounds of the church. The concert starts at 9 p.m. and continues until the downtown firework display begins.
The family-friendly annual concert began its tradition in the early 90s and generally attracts over 100 attendees. Attendance is free, and everyone in the community is invited to listen. Generally, people arrive around 7:30 or 8:00 to secure their spot.
Wesley Arai, a guest performer from Southern California, will play, along with The Cathedral’s carilloneur Byrl Cinnamon. The music is a mix of patriotic songs and traditional numbers, including arrangements of Scott Joplin tunes.
Arai has been playing since he learned the instrument at the University of California: Berkeley.
“[Arai] does a fine job every year that he has done it,” says Cinnamon.
It’s a unique opportunity to see a rather uncommon instrument in action: The cathedral has one of just two active carillons in Washington, and is the only church in Spokane that features the instrument.
Installed in 1968, The cathedral’s carillon has been in constant use in Sunday services. Cinnamon says that the instrument is one thing that sets their worship apart.
“It does give a unique aspect to the services,” says Cinnamon, “the congregation enjoys hearing it as they approach the Cathedral, or as they sit in preparation for the service.”
The carillon is composed of 23 tuned bronze bells controlled by a keyboard of “batons,” stick-like objects that are hit with a closed fist to operate the bells. They are massive instruments that can only be heard correctly from outside, as they will be at the Fourth of July concert.
Cinnamon, a former piano and organ player, started playing the carillon in 2006. He says that the instrument poses some unique challenges.
“It’s a completely different technique,” he says, “you’re playing with semi-closed fists so you can’t play as many notes, you aren’t playing with your fingers.”
Familiar patriotic tunes will be played throughout the concert, such as “Star Spangled Banner”, “Grand Old Flag”, and “America the Beautiful.” Last on the set list is a duet between Cinnamon and Arai of “Stars and Stripes Forever”, which often runs into the beginning of the firework display.
“It’s pretty spectacular to hear ‘Stars and Stripes Forever,’ and then see the fireworks go off,” says Cinnamon.
