Memorial for carillonneur
DURING the week before Christmas, a bench and plaque were installed in Queens’ Park, in memory of Peter Shepherd, Borough Carillonneur Emeritus, who died in 2016.
Peter was appointed in 1980 after serving as deputy and continued this role for 26 years.
After basic tuition from the original Carillonneur Eric Jordan, Peter went to Michelin (Malines) in Belgium, to the Royal Carillon School.
Over the years, Peter travelled far and wide to give recitals, including trips to America, the Netherlands and Berlin.
He also played carillons in the UK, such as Bournville, Perth (Scotland) and London. One of his visits to America was to attend the World Carillon Conference, at which he had been chosen to play a recital on behalf of Great Britain.
In 2000, the composer John Knox wrote a new piece of music for the carillon called Millennium Bells, dedicated to Peter.
In 2005, Peter retired from regular playing, becoming borough carillonneur emeritus, ending a total of 30 years’ service. He had already begun to teach the present carillonneur, Caroline Sharpe.
Following his death in 2016, a plaque was placed in the clavier room of the Carillon Tower in his memory. His family also commissioned this bench and plaque which has now been installed in a prominent position in Queen’s Park, within sight (and sound) of the tower and its instrument to which he dedicated years of service.