Carillon

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See The Carillon for the University of Regina student newspaper

Image:Netherlands carillon.jpg A carillon is a musical instrument composed of at least 23 cup-shaped bells played from a keyboard using fists and feet (such an instrument with fewer than this number of bells is known as a chime). Carillon bells are made of bell bronze, approximately 78% copper and 22% tin. Carillons are normally housed in towers (campaniles). The carillon has the widest dynamic range of any mechanical (non-electric) musical instrument.

The word "carillon" is pronounced Template:IPA, Template:IPA or Template:IPA (transcribed in IPA), according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Contents 1 History 2 Musical Characteristics 3 Noted carillons 3.1 North America 3.1.1 Canada 3.1.2 Mexico 3.1.3 Eastern United States 3.1.4 Central United States 3.1.5 Western United States 3.2 Europe 3.2.1 Belgium 3.2.2 France 3.2.3 Germany 3.2.4 Italy 3.2.5 Lithuania 3.2.6 Netherlands 3.2.7 Poland 3.2.8 Portugal 3.2.9 United Kingdom 3.3 Oceania 3.3.1 Australia 3.3.2 New Zealand 3.4 Traveling 4 Bell Foundries 5 See also 6 External links

History

Carillons originated in the 15th century in the Low Countries of Europe: Belgium, the Netherlands and Northern France, when bell-makers perfected their art by tuning bells at several points so that they could be sounded together to produce concordant harmonies. The greatest concentration of carillons is still to be found in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the northern regions of France, where they were commonly installed in the grand towers of rich cities as tokens of civic pride and status.

They were usually housed in church towers, belfries, or in municipal buildings, and the same holds true for those carillons that have been installed in other parts of the world since the art of casting precisely tuned bells was rediscovered in the late 19th century. In Germany, such a carillon is also called a Glockenspiel.

Musical Characteristics

Since each separate note is produced by an individual bell, a carillon's musical range is determined by the number of bells it has. Different names are assigned to instruments based on the number of bells they comprise:

• An instrument with fewer than 23 bells (two octaves) is considered a chime, not a carillon.
• Carillons with 23 through 27 bells are referred to as two-octave carillons. Players of these instruments often use music arranged specifically for their limited range of notes.
• A concert carillon has a range of at least four octaves (47 bells).
• The carillon with largest range contains 77 bells, or six and a half octaves (Kirk in the Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States).

In comparison, standard grand pianos can play 88 different notes. Image:Mobile carillon bells.jpg The carillonneur, the musician who plays the carillon, sits in a cabin beneath the bells. The carillonneur presses down, with a loosely closed fist, on a series of baton-like keys arranged in the same pattern as a piano keyboard. The keys activate levers and wires that connect directly to the bells' clappers; thus, as with a piano, the carillonneur can vary the intensity of the note according to the force applied to the key. In addition to the manual keys, the heavier bells are also connected to pedals. These notes can either be played with the hands or the feet.

Noted carillons

Image:Bellcontrols.jpg Noted carillons can be found in the following locations:

North America

Canada

• Guelph, Ontario: St George's Church, 1926. 23 bells.
• Hamilton, Ontario: Cathedral of Christ the King, 1933. 23 bells.
• Montreal, Quebec: The Carillon of St. Joseph's Oratory, 1956. 56 bells.
• Niagara Falls, Ontario: Rainbow Tower, 1947. 55 bells.
• Ottawa, Ontario: The Peace Tower carillon, at the Parliament of Canada, 1927. 53 bells by Gillett & Johnston.
• Ottawa, Ontario: St-Jean-Baptiste Church, 1940. 47 bells, inactive.
• Simcoe, Ontario: Norfolk War Memorial, 1925. 23 bells.
• Toronto, Ontario: Soldiers' Tower at Hart House, University of Toronto, 1927. 51 bells, starting with 23, expanded to 42 in 1952, renovated and enlarged finally in 1975.
• Toronto, Ontario: The CNE Carillon, 1974. 50 bells, inactive.
• Toronto, Ontario: Massey/Drury Memorial Carillon at Metropolitan United Church. 54 bells. [1]
• Victoria, British Columbia: The Netherlands Centennial Carillon, 1967. 62 bells, increased from 49 bells in 1971.

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Mexico

• Mexico City, D.F.: The Banobras Carillon. 47 bells, in the world's tallest carillon tower (125 m), which is part of a Mexican government development bank office complex in the Tlatelolco neighbourhood.

Eastern United States

• Arlington, Virginia: The Netherlands Carillon. 50 bells, gift from the people of the Netherlands, with bells cast by all three major Dutch foundries.
• Gainesville, Florida: Century Tower at the University of Florida, 1979. 61 bells, including twelve bells added in 2003.
• Lake Wales, Florida: The 'Singing Tower' at Historic Bok Sanctuary, completed 1928. 60 bells, by Taylor. Smallest bell 16 pounds, Largest 11 and 1/2 tons, total 62 tons of bell metal. Built as the centerpiece to the Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. designed gardens by editor and philanthropist Edward W. Bok.
• Hartford, Connecticut: The Plumb Memorial Carillon at the chapel of Trinity College, 1932. 49 bells, expanded from 30 bells in 1974.[2]
• Middlebury, Vermont: The Mead Chapel Carillon at Middlebury College, completed 1986. 48 bells, originally cast in France, which are regularly played in the late afternoon. Funded by Allen Dragone '50. [3]
• New Haven, Connecticut: The Yale Memorial Carillon in Harkness Tower at Yale University, 1922. 54 bells, by Taylor. (originally a chime of 10 bells; additional 44 bells installed 1966).
• New York City, New York: Riverside Church. 74 bells, by Gillett & Johnston and Van Bergen in memory of Laura Celestia Spelman Rockefeller. [4]
• Norwood, Massachusetts: The Walter F. Tilton Carillon, in the Norwood Memorial Municipal Building. 51 bells, by Gillett & Johnston, with bells ranging in size from 6½" to 71" (16.5 to 180 cm).
• Frederick, Maryland: The Joseph Dill Baker Memorial Carillon in Baker Park. 49 bells, by Meneely, Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry and Petit & Fritsen.
• Owings Mills, Maryland: Tagart Memorial Chapel on the campus of McDonogh School. 48 bells, by Petit and Fristen. Weights and sizes range from 24 pounds and a diameter of 7 ½ inches through more than 1.6 tons and 53 inches.
• Princeton, New Jersey: The graduate college of Princeton University, 1927. 67 bells.
• Richmond, Virginia: The World War I Memorial Carillon tower, 1932. Built with 66 bells (53 notes). After a 1970's renovation, 53 bells.
• Sewanee, Tennessee: Leonidas Polk Memorial Carillon, All Saints Chapel, University of the South. 56 bells installed in 1958 by Paccard.
• Valley Forge, Pennsylvania: National Patriots Bell Tower at the Washington Memorial Chapel, 1953. 58 bells, lower 28 by Meneely and upper 30 by Paccard. Smallest is 13.5 lb, largest is 4 tons, 26 tons total.[5]
• Erie, Pennsylvania: Floyd and Juanita Smith Carillon at Penn State Behrend. 48 bells installed in April, 2002. By Meeks, Watson, and Co.. Smallest is 15.25 lb. largest is 1,344 lb.
• Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Janet Jeffrey Carlile Harris Carillon in Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University, 1978 and 1981. The last carillon cast by Alfred Paccard. [6]
• Washington, D.C.: Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon near the Capitol building with 27 bells cast at the Paccard Bell Foundry in Annecy-le-Vieux, France.
• Washington, D.C.: Kibbey Carillon at the National Cathedral installed in 1963, is the 3rd heaviest in the world. 53 bells by Taylor. [7]
• Washington, D.C.: Bells of Congress at the Old Post Office installed in 1976, as a gift from England. [8]
• Luray, Virginia: The Luray Singing Tower. 47 bells by Taylor, 1937

Central United States

• Allendale, Michigan: The Cook Carillon at Grand Valley State University, Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry, 1994. 48 bells.
• Ames, Iowa: The Campanile at Iowa State University, 1899. 50 bells, originally built with 10 bells in 1899, with 26 more added in 1920, another 13 in 1954, and one final bell in 1967.
• Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Charles Baird Carillon in the Burton Memorial Tower at the University of Michigan. 55 bells, claims to be tied for the 4th heaviest carillon in the world (43 Tons).[9]
• Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Lurie Carillon in the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Tower at the University of Michigan. Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry; 60 bells.[10]
• Austin, Texas: The Main Building Tower at the University of Texas at Austin. 56 bells.
• Bloomfield Hills, Michigan: Kirk in the Hills. 77 bells. Largest carillon in the world in terms of number of bells.[11]
• Chicago, Illinois: Rockefeller Chapel, University of Chicago. 72 bells, by Gillett & Johnston in memory of Laura Celestia Spelman Rockefeller. [12]
• Clayton, Missouri: Luther Tower on the Campus of Concordia Seminary was completed around 1966. Its crown contains a 49-bell carillon. [13]
• College Station, Texas: Albritton Bell Tower at Texas A&M University. 49 Bells
• Culver, Indiana: Memorial Chapel at Culver Military Academy, 51 bells, the final Gillett & Johnston carillon installation in North America.
• Dayton, Ohio: Deeds Carillon at the Carillon Historical Park, 1942, 151 feet tall, art moderne style. In memory of the family of Edward A. Deeds. Ohio's largest with 57 bells, it was refurbished in 1988 from an electronic carillon to a traditional, mechanical carillon. The Park's carillonneur performs live carillon concerts every Sunday during June, July and August.
• Detroit, Michigan: The Nancy Brown Peace Carillon at Belle Isle (Michigan). The 85 foot tower was dedicated in 1940 to honor Nancy Brown, one of the first advice columnists in the United states. The 49-bell carillon has recently been restored and computer automated. [14]
• East Lansing, Michigan: The Beaumont Tower Carillon at Michigan State University, 1928. 49 bells, originally included ten bells, thirteen added in 1935, 49 today. The tower and carillon were renovated by Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry in 1996.[15]
• Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Beckering Family Carillon on Pew Campus of Grand Valley State University.
• Houghton, Michigan: The J. R. Van Pelt Library of Michigan Technological University houses a carillon on the roof, and carillon console in the library.
• Lubbock, Texas: The Baird Memorial Carillon, west bell tower of Texas Tech University Administration building, includes 43 bells, including bells from Whitechapel, Paccard, and Meeks, Watson, and Co. The carillon was installed in 1976 and was completely refurbished in 2004-2005 by Meeks and Watson.[16]
• Madison, Wisconsin Carillon Tower[17] on campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, designed under direction of Arthur Peabody, (1934).
• Manhattan, Kansas: The Anderson Hall tower on the campus of Kansas State University features a 98-bell carillon.
• Naperville, Illinois: The Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower within the city's "Riverwalk" park complex. 72 bells by Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry.[18]
• North Dakota: The Arma Sifton bells includes 14 bells (a chime) by Gillett & Johnston. Located at the International Peace Garden, they were a gift from Central United Church of Brandon, Manitoba in 1972. The tower was supplied by North Dakota Veterans and dedicated in 1976. [19]
• Rochester, Minnesota: Plummer Building of the Mayo Clinic. 56 bells, by Gillett & Johnston and Petit & Fritsen.
• San Antonio, Texas: The Nordan Memorial Carillon at Central Christian Church. 48 bells (47 in 1953 and one in 1969), ranging from 19 pounds to 3,850 pounds, by Petit & Fritsen.[20]
• Springfield, Illinois: Rees Memorial Carillon in Washington Park. 67 bells by Petit & Fritsen.[21]
• Springfield, Missouri: Jane A. Meyer Carillon, Meyer Library at Missouri State University. 48 bells, by Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry, dedicated in 2002. [22]

Western United States

• Berkeley, California: The Berkeley Carillon in Sather Tower at University of California, Berkeley, 1917. 61 bells, originally 12 bells (a chime), with an additional 49 bells installed in 1978 and 1982.
• Provo, Utah: The BYU Centennial Carillon, 1975. 52 bells.
• Riverside, California: University of California, Riverside, The carillon and tower were a gift from former University of California regent Philip Boyd and his wife Dorothy. The bells range in weight from 5,091 pounds to 28 pounds and are housed in the bell chamber at the top of the 161 foot high tower. The dedication of the carillon and tower took place on October 2, 1966.
• Santa Barbara, California: Storke Tower at University of California, Santa Barbara.
• Stanford, California: Hoover Tower at Stanford University, California.

Europe

Belgium

• Grimbergen: 49 bells (Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry).[23]
• Lommel: Sint-Petersbandenkerk. 63 bells (Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry).[24]
• Mechelen: The St. Rumbolds Cathedral contains two carillons (Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry).

France

• Douai: 62 bells.
• Pamiers: Cathédrale St.-Antonin. 49 bells, played by students of the local music school. [25]
• Tourcoing: Cathedral. ~60 bells, plus a carillon museum located in the tower.

Germany

• Geisa : Church tower. 49 bells.[26]
• Munich : Olympiapark. 50 bells.
• Halle/Saale : Red Tower (Roter Turm). The carillion contains 76 bells (2nd largest in the world), plus 5 hour bells (total 81 bells), weighs 46.5t in total. [27]

Italy

• Rome: St. Paul's Within the Walls. 23 bells.

Lithuania

• Kaunas: Vytautas the Great War Museum. 49 bells.
• Klaipeda: Tower of Central Post Office. 48 bells.

Netherlands

• Roermond: Roermond City Hall. 47 bells, 4 octaves to be played automatic or manual.
• Utrecht: Domtower. 50 bells. [28]
• Emmeloord: Poldertoren. 48 bells.

Poland

• Gdańsk: St. Catherine church. 49 bells.
• Gdańsk: Main Town Hall. 37 bells.

Portugal

• Mafra: In royal palace. 2 carillons totaling 114 bells.
• Porto: Tower of Clerigos. 49 bells.
• Leiria: Tower of cathedral. 23 bells.
• Alverca: Church. 72 bells.

United Kingdom

Wendover Drive [Motspur Park]: Atkinson's Carillon. 23 bells.

• Bournville, Birmingham: The Bournville Carillon. 48 bells, by George Cadbury for his model village.[29]
• Kilmarnock: Bell tower of St Marnock's Church. 30 bells, by Whitechapel Bellfounders
• Loughborough: 47 bells.
• Manchester: Bell tower of Manchester Town Hall. 23 bells, by Taylor

Oceania

Australia

Image:National Carillion, Canberra.jpg

• Canberra: The National Carillon. 55 Bells.

New Zealand

• Wellington: The National War Memorial Carillon. 74 Bells.

Traveling

• Cast in Bronze: 35 bells. Frank DellaPenna is the founder of this traveling carillon, one of a few in the world.[30]

Bell Foundries

Bellmaking is an old art. Carillon bells, which can weigh many tons, can be made in a foundry by casting or by turning on a lathe. Campanology is the study of bells — the methods of casting and tuning them, and the art or science of ringing them. Noteworthy foundries around the world include:

• Royal Eijsbouts bell foundry, Asten, the Netherlands [31]
• Gillett & Johnston
• John Taylor Bellfounders, Loughborough, England [32]
• Meneely
• Paccard bell foundry, Annecy-le-Vieux, France
• Petit & Fritsen, Aarle-Rixtel, the Netherlands
• Kruszewski Brothers Bell Foundry,Poland

See also

• Belfry
• Campanile
• Guild of Carillonneurs in North America

External links

• World Carillon Federation
• Guild of Carillonneurs in North America
• Yale University Guild of Carillonneurs
• 10 Great Places to Chime In with the Bells, December 2, 2004 USA Today article.
• Chimes & knells ringed in traditional music from county of Nice, France.de:Carillon

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