The Brigham Young University Centennial Carillon

The Brigham Young University Centennial Carillon and Tower

The Brigham Young University Centennial Carillon and Tower, dedicated October 1975, were funded by generoues contributions of faculty, student body, alumni and friends of the university. Designed by Fred L Markham, it stands 97 feet high from the plaza to the top of the columns. Access is gained through a metal spiral stairway, installed in the central column. Under the plaza are two practice rooms and a lrage storage space, with rooms located underneath the belfry.

The Verdin Company supplied the instrument, using 52 new Petit and Fritsen bells and a traditional baton keyboard. Its range extends from tenor c up four octaves through e 3 (tenor c # omitted). The bourdon, sounding tenor c, weighs 4,730 pounds; the smallest bell weighs 21 pounds, with a total bell weight of 26,695 pounds. "The Come, Come Ye Saints" and the half hour and hour strikes are rung automatically. An automatic playing mechanism using coded tape and two ivory keyboards was installed to ring the lowest 37 bells, but this was removed in 1993. Music faculty member John Longhurst undertook a shor course of study with Frank Law during the summer of 1975, then became the first university carillonneur. His carillon-playing career was cut short, however, when he was appointed Tabernacle organist in the spring of 1977. Student carillonneurs on assistanship then performed these duties, under the supervision of organ area head Parley Belnap.

During the 1980s the need for improvement in the playing mechanism of the instrument was recognized. Inspired by the vision of Thomas Hinckley, a committee was formed to deal with the future of the carillon. Music Department chair K. Newell Dayley, college administrator Scott Boyter, physical plant representative Jim Dain, and instrument curator Mike Ohman worked together for years in preparation, and a site visit was conducted by Richard Strauss, who made specific recommendations. The work of the committee and the Strauss recommendations led to approval for funding of the refitting in 1991. When Don Cook joined the music faculty in 1991, details of the project were worked out with the Verdin Company and Richard Watson. Later in the project, Karel Keldermans was brought in as consultant.

The refitting project was completed in October 1993. New playing and practice keyboards were installed, new cast-iron clappers were fitted, a radial trnasmission was provided, and bells were moved to accomodate the radial transmission, Keys and bell chamber space were provided for the eventual addition of a new a # bourdon and the missing c #, The practice keyboard was extended chromatically down to g for practice purposes. A bell monitor system was also installed.

The instrument is played daily, at noon for 30 minutes, before and after devotional assemblies at the nearby Marriott Center, and for occasional special recitals. Don Cook is the Unoversity Carillonneur.

Photos of the carillon:

Photo 1

Photo 2

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Photo 5

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