Peace Tower concert honours Canada's First World War sacrifice

Parliament Hill denizens, downtown office workers, wandering tourists and anyone else who happened to find themselves within earshot of the Peace Tower Friday were in for a unique open-air musical treat.

Just after the Centre Block clock struck noon, Dominion Carillonneur Dr. Andrea McCrady serenaded the parliamentary precinct with a preview of the program she will perform at next week's World Carillon Federation Congress in Belgium.

Over the course of the seven-day confab, McCrady will also get the chance to share the story behind the Peace Tower Carillon with her fellow carillonneurs.

Fitting timing given WWI centenary: Speaker

The Peace Tower Carillon was inaugurated on July 1, 1927, "to commemorate the Armistice of 1918 and the sacrifice made by Canadians during the First World War," according to the parliamentary website.

Speaker Andrew Scheer's office notes that would seem to make both the timing and location for this year's congress "particularly fitting," as Canada, "like so many other nations, is marking the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War."

McCrady will also take part in a group recital of war memorial carillonneurs in Cloth Hall, which houses the Flanders Fields museum, named for Canadian John McCrae's iconic poem.

In a statement, Scheer described the Peace Tower Carillon as "a living memorial to the generations of Canadians who have defended our freedom and is an enduring reminder of our commitment to peace." 

Scheer wished "the very best" to both McCrady and student carillonneur Julie Tomicic, who will also be making the trip, as they represent Canada in Belgium.