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July 22, 2026
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( Photo Credit: Wes Cipolla )

Mary's new carillon work, “Nossa Senhora”, will premiere on Friday Sept 4th @ 6:30pm at Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA; during the church’s yearly carillon concert series. The piece will be performed as a duet by Our Lady’s two resident carillonneurs, LuAnn Pallazola and Cynthia Cafasso Donaldson.

A carillon is a rare instrument in which a series of large tuned bells are played via a keyboard-like console, featuring both wooden levers and pedals. There are only about 170 non-automated carillons in the United States; and the instrument maintained by Our Lady of Good Voyage, known as the country's first "modern" carillon (source), is also one of its oldest (source).

The piece was named “Nossa Senhora” (“Our Lady”) in honor of the Portuguese fishermen that immigrated to Gloucester with their families and built the original church in 1892 (source). Inspired by the long-standing tradition of The Blessed Mother being the protector of seafarers; “Nossa Senhora” is meant to evoke a calm, gentle prayer whispered by devout fishermen in the midst of a tumultuous storm upon the waves.

Using her sound-to-color synesthesia, Mary selected the key of A-flat major to match the vivid hues found in the church's interior and exterior (A-flat - warm vibrant red, C natural - vibrant yellow and/or gold, E-flat - cobalt blue).

The outdoor concert will take place on September 4th @ 6:30pm at Gloucester's Our Lady of Good Voyage Church (142 Prospect St, Gloucester MA USA) and is open to the public. The event is part of a series of free carillon concerts held by Our Lady of Good Voyage every summer; with additional concert dates on Friday August 14th, Friday August 21st, and Friday August 28th @ 6:30pm.

Thanks so much to LuAnn Pallazola, Cynthia Cafasso Donaldson, Father Jim, and Our Lady of Good Voyage for this wonderful collaboration; and looking fowrard to the performance!🔔🎶