Quick Facts
Biography
Mary Mesquita Dahlmer (1897 – 14 October 1993) was the first carillon performer to hold a position in the United States and the first woman carillonneur in North America.
Life and career
As a member of the Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester, Massachusetts she helped raise funds to build the church's 23-bell Taylor carillon by selling flowers. The carillon was inaugurated in July 1922 by church organist George B. Stevens. When he was unavailable several months later to play for a wedding, Dahlmer was asked based on her abilities as a pianist to fill in for him. She was subsequently appointed carillonneur, and studied with Anton Brees and Kamiel Lefevere. She was often asked to demonstrate the carillon for visitors, and in the process performed for John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Mrs. Hugh Bancroft. She also had a career at the Frank E. Davis Fish Company. Dahlmer retired from her carillon post in 1945, after 25 years.
In 1987, Dahlmer was elected an Honorary Member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America.