BURTON MEMORIAL CARILLON TOWER

Listen to the bells!

Carillon Definition

A carillon is a musical instrument consisting of least two octaves of carillon bells arranged in chromatic series and played from a keyboard that permits control of expression through variation of touch. A carillon bell is a cast bronze cup-shaped bell whose partial tones are in such harmonious relationship to each other as to permit many such bells to be sounded together in varied chords with harmonious and concordant effect.

History

The carillon developed in the area of Europe that is now Holland, Belgium and Northern France in the 15th and 16th centuries. There are presently about 165 carillons in North America, and several new ones are installed every year- it is a growing art.

The Charles Baird Carillon, third heaviest in the world, contains 55 bells cast in 1936 and 1975 by the John Taylor & Co. Bellfoundry in Loughborough, England. The largest bell, which strikes the hour, weighs 12 tons and the smallest bell, four- and-one-half octaves higher, weighs 21 pounds. The carillon bells are stationary, hung on a steel framework in the bellchamber 120 feet above the campus.

The carillon keyboard, located in a small room at the center of the bell chamber, is connected to the bells via a system of wires, levers, and springs. To play the bells, the carillonneur uses loosely-closed fists to strike wooden batons which are arranged like the keys of a piano keyboard. In addition, the lowest bells are also playable with a pedal keyboard. No electricity is required for the functioning of this ingenious system. There are also two carillon practice keyboards located on other floors of the Tower.

The carillon was donated by Charles Baird, a former University of Michigan athletic director, and the tower, built with funds donated by many, is named for former U-M president Marion Leroy Burton. The tower and the carillon were dedicated in 1936.

The University of Michigan added a second carillon in 1996. The Ann and Robert H. Lurie Carillon (60 bells) is located on the North Campus.

For more information, please write to carillon@umich.edu or telephone (734) 764-4414.

Schedule

The carillon is played Monday through Friday at noon. The observation deck and bellchamber are open to the public from 12-1 on these days, and for most announced recitals and special events. Guest artists participate in an internationally renowned summer recital series on Monday evenings throughout July and August with announcements appearing at the University of Michigan School of Music Calendar of Events and in the various local arts calendars.

The Carillonneur

Steven Ball is widely recognized both for his work as a carillonneur and campanologist (someone who studies bells and bell ringing) and he can be heard frequently on both of the University of Michigan's carillons.

In addition to being granted a Fulbright Scholarship in 2001-2002 for the continued study of Campanology in the Netherlands, Mr. Ball is also a former student of both the Dutch and Flemish Carillon Schools. He was received into the Guild of Carillonneurs of North America as a member with "Carillonneur" status in 1998.