Raging Water
Reflection
Spirit of Rhythm
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Why the costume?
Cast in Bronze began as an experiment to see if people would accept the haunting sound of the carillon combined with other instruments. Through the encouragement and support of thousands of fans, Cast in Bronze slowly evolved into what it is today, including the costume.
Originally, Cast in Bronze was a musical group of live musicians that rose from obscurity to the stage of Walt Disney World's Epcot. Cast in Bronze's creator, Frank DellaPenna, had considered the possibility of performing as a silent and masked musician. His reasoning: Carillons are usually heard from bell towers. No one ever sees the performer. However, whenever he mentioned the idea to others, they all told him he was crazy!
During those years at Epcot, DellaPenna played without the mask and costume. However, when the contract at Epcot concluded, Cast in Bronze found itself without work and searching for other venues.
DellaPenna, unsure if Cast in Bronze would survive, agreed to perform at the Florida Renaissance Festival before returning to his home. Having nothing to lose and trusting his instinct, he donned the costume and mask for the first time at this festival. Audiences were drawn to this mysterious musical presentation and Cast in Bronze found work for the rest of the year. Perhaps the mask wasn’t so foolish after all!
The most surprising aspect of the costume and mask is that the "Spirit of the Bells", despite what some see as a rather dark and scary image, is often seen being hugged by children and adults of all ages.
Frank DellaPenna has willingly relinquished his identity to the "Spirit of the Bells" for the good of the carillon and Cast in Bronze. It is his hope that others will continue his mission to raise appreciation and awareness of this vanishing instrument so the carillon and the "Spirit of the Bells" will live forever.
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