Guild of Carillonneurs records

Wellesley College’s 30-bell carillon was gifted to the college in 1931 by Charlotte Nichols Greene. Until 1940, it was only played at Commencement and on special occasions. The article October 15, 1942 article “Carillon Rings Out Invitations For All Ambitious Bell-Players” in the Wellesley News explains that since 1936, Head of Pomeroy, Florence Risley, in collaboration with Dr. Harvey Spencer (the Wellesley Hills pediatrician), organized the playing of the carillon. Other players at this time included the Head of Dower, Mrs. Scott, and alumnae Emily Winch and Anna Meister. The only requirement to play was a moderate music-reading ability.

The Friends of the Wellesley College Carillon was organized in Spring 1940 by Florence Risley and Harvey Spencer, requiring annual dues and soliciting gifts to support carillon concerts. As of 1942, the Friends had nearly 90 members. A November 6, 1958 letter to the editor of the Wellesley News by Sandy Gill, President of the Guild of Carillonneurs, noted that “it was at the death of Mrs. [Charlotte Nichols] Greene and Dr. [Harvey] Spencer that the Friends of Wellesley Carillon disappeared.” (Greene passed away in April 1955.) The Guild of Carillonneurs was formed in 1945; student members would play before and after Sunday Chapel services, and Guild officers would train inexperienced members on how to play. The article “Fugues, Anthems Vary Carillon Style” in the November 21, 1963 Wellesley News described the Guild’s innovation of playing non-classical songs (as well as classical music) to increase interest in the carillon.