John Courter, college carillonneur at Berea (Ky.) College, will present a guest recital on Shafer Tower’s 48-bell carillon at 5 p.m.  America’s Hometown Band from Muncie performs at 6:30 p.m.

In additional to a distinguished career as a carillonneur and as an organist, Courter has emerged as America’s foremost composer of carillon music.

He was twice awarded prizes in a carillon composition competition organized by The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. The winning pieces quickly became established as part of the repertoire of carillonneurs not only in the United States but also throughout Europe.

This success has led to commissions from several U.S. institutions, including a three-movement suite written for the dedication of the carillon at Ball State and commissions from Utrecht (The Netherlands) and Barcelona (Spain).

Courter will be performing a set of whimsical dances called “Gaudi’s Chimneys” (written for Barcelona) on the July 10 program. Courter’s sensitive performances offer another perspective on the instrument for Muncie carillon audiences.

The program will also include three selections from the Baroque period: a prelude written for carillon by Belgian Matthias van den Gheÿn and arrangements of two pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach (including “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”).

Settings of traditional spiritual songs (including “Amazing Grace”) and several familiar folk songs from various countries will be included as well.

Courter’s program will end with two of his arrangements of music by Norwegian romantic composer Edvard Grieg, with the finale being the brilliant “Wedding Day at Troldhaugen.”

The next recital scheduled at Shafer Tower will be performed by John Gouwens, visiting lecturer in carillon at Ball State and carillonneur of The Culver Academies.

That program will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26. (Note change of day and hour.)