1. Toccata No. 2 (for Erin)
2. Consolation (for David)
3. Waltz (for Tim)

This set of pieces is intentionally a departure from the lengthy, virtuoso pieces I am often inclined to write for the carillon. My friend and colleague Beverly Buchanan was the driving force behind building the Music Publications Committee of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, bringing forth a major and enduring legacy to the carillon profession woldwide. It was largely due to her encouragement that I decided to write some pieces that are moderately easy (Level 2 in the difficulty rating system I use with GCNA-published compositions in the booklet, Information on Composers and Compositions Published by the Guild.) Also, I decided it would be nice to write some new pieces especially for my current students. All three pieces are written for a three-octave carillon (though low E-flat is needed at times), and are readily playable by most carillonneurs. It isn't really my intention that these be played as a set. Players should certainly feel free to play them separately or in any combination.

"Toccata No. 2" is dedicated to Erin Brady, my student at The Culver Academies (studying carillon 2003–2006). She enjoyed some of the didactic pieces in my method book that involved quick figurations that lay easily under the hands and feet, but also appreciated more lyric pieces, so this one includes both, as well as some strong chords, allowing the player to revel in the sonority of the bass bells in particular.

"Consolation" is dedicated to David Eicher, organist of The Presbyterian Church in La Porte, Indiana. David began lessons with me shortly before his church installed a three-octave carillon. (These pieces are written with that instrument in mind.) The technical demands are modest, allowing the player to concentrate especially on matters of balance and phrasing.

The sweet, dainty "Waltz" is dedicated to Tim Sleep, from Naperville, Illinois. Tim played his examination recital to become a carillonneur member of The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America in 2004. While he had no special need of an easy piece—he has already performed some quite challenging literature, actually—it seemed appropriate to write a piece for him as well.

Tim Sleep premièred his "Waltz" in a recital at La Porte on August 28, 2005. David Eicher performed the "Consolation" after a church service at La Porte on November 20, 2005. Erin Brady premièred the "Toccata" in the spring of 2006 at Culver, shortly before she graduated (going on to Princeton University, intent on continuing with carillon).

—John Gouwens