Scott has composed and arranged extensively for the carillon. His works are published in print through American Carillon Music Editions and The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. He also publishes digitally through SMP Press as Scott R. Hummel Music. Scott’s introduction to the carillon came through listening to the 62-bell instrument housed in the Chimes Tower at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Learn more about his currently available publications below.
Carillon Compositions
Shadow and Light
Three Sketches for Carillon
The three sketches presented in this work can be performed both individually and as a set. Cascade introduces a gentle falling melody through the pentatonic scale. Gallop conveys the imagery of a horse through a lively melody and rhythm. Float closes the set with a flowing accompaniment in the hands over a lyric melody in the bass.
Morning Mist
An opening converging motif and hymn-like melody slowly transforms into a triumphant and fanfare-inspired conclusion. The softly falling morning mist dissolves into a bright new day.
Celebration on "O Sanctissima"
Celebration on “O Sanctissima” was commissioned for the 175th anniversary of St. Mary of Redford, Detroit, Michigan and was premiered at the Closing Mass on November 3, 2019 by Annette Wright, Director of Music. The work is a paraphrase on the hymn “O Sanctissima” which is often sung on feast days of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Celebration on “O Sanctissima” follows the history of St. Mary’s from a simple beginning in 1843, represented by a chant melody, through the church’s growth, hard times, and faithfulness. The work is a commemoration of 175 years and the promise of many more to come.
Lullaby
Lullaby began as a vocal work based on a poem of the same name by Horace Smith. Much as a lullaby is sung at twilight, a time not quite day yet not quite night, this piece exists in, and shifts between, D major and B minor. The melody, in the treble of the secondo part, should be performed sweetly and naturally with rubato, as a parent would sing to a newborn child.
Caribbean Dance
Caribbean Dance was conceived as a work that can be performed on any size carillon. The score is engraved to be performed on a 23-bell instrument, but instruments with a larger range, play the treble an octave higher. The piece contains both rhythmic and melodic elements designed to groove and be reminiscent of a dance. Caribbean Dance is a light and fun addition to any program.
Spring Rain
Spring Rain reflects the varied beauty of a fresh spring rainstorm. From the lively, wild drops of a sudden cloudburst to a gentle April shower, and finally, a wild and windy downpour. Through bouncing, flowing motifs, and rapidly changing time signatures, Spring Rain contemplates the simple elegance and the delightful whimsy of vernal rainfall.
Two Impressions of the Sky
Two Impressions of the Sky presents contrasting movements, “Twilight” and “Storm.” With cascading seventh chords and a hymn-like melody, “Twilight” reflects a peaceful evening as the last sunlight fades into a star-studded night sky. “Storm” opens with swirling fourths and a dramatic melody in the bass. The whirling winds of the trebles are frequently broken by musical thunder in the bass and an ascending lightning motif—the storm lulls and surges, reaching a rapid and dramatic finale. Two Impressions of the Sky was commissioned in 2019 by Austin K. Ferguson, Carillonneur, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Carillon Arrangements
Fountain Reverie by Percy Fletcher
Percy Eastman Fletcher (1879-1932) was an English composer and conductor known primarily for his lyric writing and his involvement in the London theatre scene. His varied oeuvre reflects his musical training on piano, organ, and violin. “Fountain Reverie” was first published as a work for solo organ in 1915. In this arrangement for carillon, Fountain Reverie provides a rippling accompaniment in the hands against a very lyrical melody in the feet.
Evening in the Meadow by Vladimir Rebikov
Ständchen by Franz Schubert
Arabian Dance by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Ronde by Maurice Ravel
Morgenstimmung by Edvard Grieg
Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant by Maurice Ravel
Toccatina by Pietro Yon
Toccatina a quick and playful piece was written for organ and intended to be played on a single manual with a single 8-foot flute stop. Pietro Yon was an Italian-born organist who made his career in the United States. He served for a time as an organist at the Vatican and at the Royal Church in Rome before coming to the United States in 1907. He is most famous for this piece, and for his Christmas piece, Gesu bambino.
Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky
Prière à Notre-Dame by Léon Boëllmann
Gretchen am Spinnrade by Franz Schubert
Believe (from The Polar Express)
A carillon arrangement of “Believe” from Warner Brothers Pictures’ The Polar Express. “Believe” captures all of the joy and magic of Chris Van Allsburg‘s Christmas classic.
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' by Rodgers and Hammerstein
A carillon arrangement of “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical, Oklahoma!
Goodnight Moon by Eric Whitacre
A carillon arrangement of Eric Whitacre’s beautiful setting of Goodnight Moon. Margaret Brown Wise’s classic children’s book is brought to life in this flowing lullaby.
Shepherd Playing on his Pipe by Vladimir Rebikov
A simple and fun carillon arrangement of Vladimir Rebikov’s “Shepherd Playing on his Pipe” from Silhouettes.
The Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre
When You Believe by Stephen Schwartz
A carillon arrangement of Stephen Schwartz’s “When You Believe” from the DreamWorks Animation film The Prince of Egypt. The stirring melody is handed between the treble and bass and finally climaxes with a dramatic toccata-style conclusion.
Introduction - Choral by Léon Boëllmann
My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose - Traditional
A fun and varied arrangement of the beautiful folk tune “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose,” the traditional Scottish ballad with simple but effective lyrics. “My luve’s like a red, red rose/That’s newly sprung in June” describes a love that is both fresh and long-lasting. This arrangement was written in honor of the union of Brad W. Hummel and Emily C. Hicks.
Last Rag by William Bolcom
William Bolcom’s Last Rag brings the quintessential rag style to a lyric and sentimental melodic line. Enjoy the fun and melodic piece in this arrangement for carillon.
Swedish Rhapsody (Midsummer Vigil) by Percy Faith
A carillon arrangement of Percy Faith’s Swedish Rhapsody (Midsummer Vigil). This piece of light music was based on folk themes from a larger work of the same name by Hugo Alfvén.
Benedictus (from The Armed Man) by Karl Jenkins
Welcome Christmas by Albert Hague
The Hour of Dreaming by Reynaldo Hahn
A carillon arrangement of L’Heure exquise, The Hour of Dreaming, by Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947) from Chansons grises (1902) for voice and piano. Hahn’s enchanting and dream-like vocal work comes alive on the carillon with flowing arpeggios and a delicate, woven melodic line.
About the Carillon
A carillon is an instrument of at least 23 chromatically tuned bells. The performer, or carillonneur, can execute a broad range of music through the expressive touch of a baton keyboard. Find a tower near you through the Tower Bells database.
The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America is an organization of professional musicians dedicated to promoting the carillon art. It supports the development of proficient carillonneurs and encourages the building of new carillons, the improvement of existing installations, and the composition and distribution of carillon music.
Founded in 2012, the North American Carillon School exists to nurture musicians toward and through a successful experience and appreciation of the carillon and its possibilities. Presenting both physical and remote learning options, the North American Carillon School offers a progressive, convenient, fun, and relevant carillon education for carillon musicians of today and tomorrow.
