Meet The Chimemaker
Meet Garry Kvistad, founder of Woodstock Chimes and a professional musician. Garry Kvistad earned a Bachelor of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a Masters of Music from Northern Illinois University, where he studied music, art and physics in the pursuit of building musical instruments. In 2020 Garry was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame. He joins celebrates such as Ringo Starr, Jack DeJohnette, Mickey Hart, Buddy Rich, and Gene Krupa to name a few.
Garry Inducted Into The Percussive Arts Society Hall Of Fame
JULY 2020
During this time of a global pandemic, racial unrest, and economic uncertainty, there is a peaceful serenity from the soothing sounds (the natural harmonic overtone series) of the “Healing Chime,” made by Woodstock Percussion.
The man behind those musical chimes is Garry Kvistad, not only a master tuner and instrument builder, but a longtime performing percussionist and champion of the arts.
“I’ve known from a young age that good sounds are healing,” he explains, “and I’ve made the study of music and sounds my life’s work.”
In addition to founding Woodstock Chimes, Kvistad—a self-described “old hippie” who has spent the past four decades in New York’s Hudson Valley—has been a member of three historic ensembles: the Blackearth Percussion Group, Steve Reich and Musicians, and Nexus.
Garry Gives A Tour Of His Studio During A West Coast Fog Podcast
JUNE 23, 2020
In the summer of 2020 the folks from the West Coast Fog podcast visited Garry Kvistad at the Woodstock Chimes headquarters in the Hudson Valley. A great time was had by all! Listen to selections from Garry's 1990 cassette tape and hear sounds from his incredible collection of antique and current musical instruments.
My Swan Song
SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
One of my last product designs before retiring was the Singin' in the Rain Chime. Diane and I enjoy watching older movies and the Gene Kelly / Debbie Reynolds movie, Singin' in the Rain, is a favorite. That song is quite familiar to people of my generation and hopefully this chime will inspire other generations to check out the movie and enjoy the joyful song that was recorded by so many wonderful musicians.
