GLENCOE, Ill. (July 26, 2006) – Wylie Crawford, resident carillonneur at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe was elected president of the World Carillon Federation (WCF) at the organization's recent fifteenth World Congress of the WCF in Gdansk, Poland. Crawford served on the WCF's executive committee as treasurer since 1990. He is currently the vice president of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. Locally, he is the university carillonneur at the University of Chicago, the seminary carillonneur for Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, and the Naperville city carillonneur.

The World Carillon Federation (www.carillon.org) is an organization dedicated to advancing the 500-year-old art of the carillon around the world. Its 12-member guilds represent 21 countries in which the carillon culture exists today. Worldwide, there are approximately 600 carillons and an equivalent number of performers (carillonneurs).

            Originating in the Middle Ages in the area then known as Flanders, the carillon is a completely expressive, totally mechanical instrument. It consists of at least 23 carefully-tuned bronze bells connected to a playing keyboard and pedalboard. It can render music of all genres, from folk tunes to Bach preludes, Beatles music to hymns, and atonal music to blues.

            Carillons are the largest, heaviest musical instruments in existence and have one of the largest audiences, as their performances are broadcast from towers to the general public in surrounding areas. The Chicago Botanic Garden's Theodore C. Butz Memorial Carillon, on Evening Island, has become a noted landmark and a beloved icon with Garden visitors since 1986. Crafted in Holland, the tower has 48 bronze bells and the playing device has a range of four octaves. The largest bell weighs 5,000 pounds. The majestic beauty of carillon bells on a warm summer evening is one of the loveliest sounds heard throughout the Garden.

            Carillon recitals begin at 7 p.m. each Monday through Aug. 28. Visitors are invited to take carillon tours beginning at 5:30 p.m. and picnic on the lawn adjacent to McGinley Pavilion. An espresso/wine kiosk offers cappuccino, espresso and bottled beverages, both alcoholic and non-alchoholic, for purchase.

            For information on the carillon season and other summer activities at the Chicago Botanic Garden, call (847) 835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.

Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Melissa Schuler at (847) 835-6829 or at mschuler@chicagobotanic.org.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden’s newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

 The Chicago Botanic Garden is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. Through the Institutes of Plant Conservation and Ornamental Plant Research, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.