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The Bells Of Bok Tower: New Carillonneur Named At National Landmark

Steve Newborn/WUSF

The bell tower at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Fla., is a national historic landmark. The tower has one of the world's finest carillons-- an instrument made up of 60 bells.

There have only been three resident carillonneurs in Bok Tower's 83 year history. Now, a new one is ready to take the reigns.

Geert D'hollander, carillonneur at the main cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium, was named as the newest inhabitant of the famed "Singing Tower."

He beat out several of the best carillon players in the world for the job at Bok Tower.

"I think it's because I have bells in my blood,” D’hollander said. “My father was a carillonneur. I grew up with it. I worked in towers since I could walk, three, four years old. Yeah, bells are just a thing in my life."

D'hollander performed his first recitals Thursday afternoon and is scheduled to play their Boktoberfest Plant Sale Saturday.

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