CICO
International Center for the Carillon and the Organ
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Why This Initiative?
In the 18th century, the King D. João V of Portugal acquired for his country the two largest carillons in the world, the Carillons of Mafra. For Mafra, King D. João V also envisioned the installation of six church organs in one single room, which was also unique. The six organs of Mafra were eventually installed during the regency of King D. João VI, in the beginning of the 19th century. King D. João V understood the cultural importance of these acquisitions to Portugal and, in order to have the Carillons od Mafra played, he brought to Portugal one of the best carillonist of the time, Grégoire Le Roi. Almost three hundred years later, we are proud to follow in João V's steps, continually striving to promote the art of the carillon and of the organ, with a particular focus on education, for which we are among the few with such qualifications and recognition worldwide, particularly in terms of carillon performance.
We were awarded First Prize of the “Prémio Milénio 2004” by the Portuguese brewing company Sagres and the Portuguese newspaper Expresso. The mission of this prize was to “…give expression to potential new Portuguese values through projects that are innovative and relevant to the Portuguese society.”
Our project proposed the acquisition of a travelling carillon - the LVSITANVS Carillon. However, the monetary value of this prize provided us with only a small fraction of the total value of the proposed project. What to do?
Given our experience and involvement with a number of carillon projects, one of which entailed the installation of one of the world’s largest carillons - the Pastorinhos Carillon in Alverca, Portugal - and of which we are extremely proud of having been the coordinators/consultants, we were very aware of the financial difficulties that we would experience to carry this project to completion. We decided to not give up and, instead, to persevere.
As a result, we created a nonprofit venture, CICO - International Center for the Carillon and the Organ, the first goal of which was to acquire a travelling carillon, so that we could bring carillon music to various locations in Portugal and, why not, worldwide. Our approach has always been pedagogical, in the sense that we wish to provide not only an aesthetic experience to the surrounding community, but also educational possibilities for those interested in learning the art of playing the carillon and the organ, with a especific focus on our youth.
Our project proposed the acquisition of a travelling carillon - the LVSITANVS Carillon. However, the monetary value of this prize provided us with only a small fraction of the total value of the proposed project. What to do?
Given our experience and involvement with a number of carillon projects, one of which entailed the installation of one of the world’s largest carillons - the Pastorinhos Carillon in Alverca, Portugal - and of which we are extremely proud of having been the coordinators/consultants, we were very aware of the financial difficulties that we would experience to carry this project to completion. We decided to not give up and, instead, to persevere.
As a result, we created a nonprofit venture, CICO - International Center for the Carillon and the Organ, the first goal of which was to acquire a travelling carillon, so that we could bring carillon music to various locations in Portugal and, why not, worldwide. Our approach has always been pedagogical, in the sense that we wish to provide not only an aesthetic experience to the surrounding community, but also educational possibilities for those interested in learning the art of playing the carillon and the organ, with a especific focus on our youth.
As a testament to our efforts, we ultimately received a grant from the European Network for Rural Develpment, through TAGUS, an Association for the Promotion of the Ribatejo Interior. This grant, in addtion to the support and generosity of a number of entities and individuals, eventually allowed the dream of the LVSITANVS Carillon to become a reality. Its inauguration took place in Constância, Portugal on May 16, 2015.
Throughout this process, we faced many difficulties, among which were the project's extremely high costs and unique logistic needs. To overcome such adversities, we were very fortunate to be able to count with the help, understanding, and trust of many entities and individuals who believed in our potential, expertise, and drive. To them all, our THANK YOU!
Our special thanks to:
Prémio Milénio 2004 - Sagres brewing company / newspaper Expresso
City Hall of Constância
Municipality of Constância
Parish of São Julião Mártir of Constância
TAGUS - Association for the Promotion of the Ribatejo Interior
ProDeR - Program for Rural Devlopment
Sponsors of the LVSITANVS Carillon
Brigada de Reacção Rapida do Exército em Tancos (Portuguese Army)
Antena 2 - Portuguese Classical Rádio
Supporters of CICO, TINTINNABVLVM and LVSITANVS Carillon
YTIC
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CICO's objective
To achieve its objective,CICO will:
a) Creation of a music school;
b) Organize national and international events;
c) Participate in national and international events;
d) Promote national and international events;
e) Sign cooperation protocols with national and foreign entities;
b) Edit books as well as audio- and video-recordings of musical works;
g) Engage in consulting and in coordinating the installation of new carillons and organs, as well as in the restoration of existing carillons and organs;
h) Engage in the inspection and maintenance of carillons and organs;
i) Make and maintain campanological inventories, as well as inventories of organs;
j) Support and participate in research aiming at further developing the carillon and the organ;
k) Promote extra-curricular activities.