Oct 26, 2010

Woodstock Chimes® Used in Symphony As Commissioned by the National Kidney Foundation

Shokan, NY – Over the years, Woodstock Chimes®, a leading manufacturer of precision-tuned windchimes, has continued to expand its community-related efforts. In doing so, the company has both donated and created customized chimes for various causes and individuals worldwide.

Composer Linda Tutas Haugen, a professional musician and St. Olaf College alum, wrote “Transformations of Darkness and Light,” which featured custom-made chimes by Woodstock. The piece was commissioned by the National Kidney Foundation in 2004 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first successful organ transplant. Earlier this year, Haugen played the chimes in a moving performance at St. Olaf’s College in Northfield, Minnesota.

“With music a powerful lifelong passion in my own life, I am committed to supporting charitable causes and musicians’ efforts,” says Garry Kvistad, CEO of Woodstock Chimes. Kvistad is a professional musician in his own right, being a music professor and touring with other GRAMMY® Award-winning musicians as members of the percussion ensemble NEXUS.

Woodstock Chimes Honors Deceased Students at St. Olafs

In 2003, the St. Olaf community built the St. Olaf’s Memorial Chime Tower, which honored those students who had passed away over the years. They incorporated Woodstock Chimes, tuned to the key of D – using the melody notes of the school choir’s signature song, “Beautiful Savior.” The chimes are engraved with the names of the deceased students. On windy days, the sound of the chimes can be heard almost everywhere on campus.[1] To hear the melodic chimes, visit http://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/streams/special/chimetower.html

“The chimes used in both St. Olaf’s Memorial Chime Tower and Haugen’s score, celebrate life – for both individuals who have gained a second chance as a result of an organ transplant — and those who have perished, but left a lasting legacy,” says Kvistad

The Woodstock Chimes, heard in Tutas Haugen’s composition are tuned to the same notes as those heard in St. Olaf’s Memorial Chime Tower, a Scandinavian-style wooden tower. Tutas Haugen’s performance of “Transformations of Darkness and Light,” featuring the custom-made Woodstock Chimes products, can be seen at the 97-minute mark in the video at http://www.stolaf.edu/multimedia/streams/playevent.cfm?eventid=323.

For more information about Woodstock Chimes, please visit www.chimes.com.

About Woodstock Chimes: Woodstock Percussion, Inc., makers of Woodstock Chimes and the Woodstock Music Collection, is a leading manufacturer of precision-tuned windchimes, award-winning musical instruments and soothing home and garden décor. Grammy® recipient Garry Kvistad and his wife, Diane, created their first product over 30 years ago in New York’s Hudson Valley, where the company continues to design gifts and accessories using superior materials found around the world. The result is a unique collection of over 200 different products that bring joyful sounds to people of all ages. Popular collections include: Asli Arts, Precious Stones, Woodstock Gongs, Inspirational Chimes, Temple Bells and, of course, its Classic Chimes. For more information on Woodstock Chimes, visit www.chimes.com or call (800) 422-4463.