Grand Valley's university carillonneur named president of national guild

Julianne Vanden Wyngaard, university carillonneur at Grand Valley, has been named president of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA).

The GCNA’s mission focuses on promoting the carillon art by supporting the development of proficient carillonneurs, encouraging the building of new carillons and improving existing carillons, and composing and distributing carillon music. The GCNA is a member of the World Carillon Federation.

Vanden Wyngaard said that as president of GCNA, she hopes to nurture the next generation of carillonneurs.

“We have a nice group of young carillonneurs, and I want to work hard at keeping them interested, active and contributing to the growth of the carillon culture,” she said.

Vanden Wyngaard has served as the principal performer and teacher on Grand Valley’s Cook Carillon Tower since its dedication in 1994 on the Allendale Campus. In 1999, she completed the requirements for carillonneur member status in the GCNA and is currently serving a term on the guild’s board of directors through 2020. In the past, she also served two terms as vice-president.

In 2000, Vanden Wyngaard completed the diploma requirements at the Netherlands Carillon School in Amersfoort.