Carillonneur: Trevor Workman

 

Trevor's first application to become Bournville's carillonneur was turned down because he was "considered not to have the necessary physique". This was not surprising as he was only 15 and still at school. Despite his outstanding musical abilities Trevor had to wait until 1965, when the post was advertised again, to be given the opportunity to play this unique musical instrument. By then, having the necessary physical attributes, Trevor was appointed to the position which he has now held for over 50 years, making him the longest serving carillonneur in British history.

 

Trevor, who comes from a musical background, has had a lifetime association with Bournville. "Both my parents and grandparents were employed at the Cadbury factory and my father was the conductor of the Bournville Male Voice Choir." he said. "I began learning to play the piano at the age of seven and for over twenty years accompanied the choir on piano and organ. I eventually became the conductor in 1990. Over the years, because of family and career commitments I was unable to take up the many offers to play the carillon abroad but in 1995 I was asked to play in a European Carillon Festival in Bruges which I was able to accept". Following his performance at that event, Trevor has been asked to play all over the world.

 

Trevor is a past President of the British Carillon Society and has represented Great Britain in numerous European Festivals. He has also represented the British Carillon Society in World Congress events in Germany,  Belgium,  Holland and USA. In addition Trevor has on numerous occasions given formal recitals on prominent instruments in the USA including  Universities of Princeton, Yale, Iowa, Chicago Rockefeller Chapel, Washington Cathedral, Springfield Illinois and in Canada at the University of Toronto and in the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa.

 

One of the high notes in Trevor's long career is the establishment of the first British School for Carillonneurs. In conjunction with the Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn" Mechelen Belgium and the Dordrecht Carillon Institute in Holland. The "George Cadbury Carillon School" was inaugurated in Bournville by the late Sir Adrian Cadbury in 2007, to train promising musicians from the UK and further afield as necessary.