Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon - Springfield, Illinois
Posted by: 
paulspaper
N 39° 47.363 W 089° 41.009
16S E 270221 N 4407825
Quick Description: The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon is located on the west end of Washington Park. It is located next to the Botanical Garden and near the Rose Garden.
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 1/26/2009 2:48:15 PM
Waymark Code: WM5NQ2
Views: 9
Long Description:Within the open tower hang 67 cast bronze bells covering a range of
5 1/2 chromatic octaves. The total weight of the bells is 82,753
pounds; the largest (bourdon) bell, a G-flat, weighs 7 1/2 tons,
while the smallest weighs 22 pounds. The carillon was cast by the
300-year-old bellfoundry of Petit & Fritsen, Ltd.,in
Aarle-Rixtel, The Netherlands. All of the bells are played manually
by means of the keyboard located in the carillonneur's cabin.
The newest bell, the B flat bell, was installed in February
2000, bringing the total number of bells to 67.
In 1987, a new keyboard and practice keyboard with the new
American standard were installed in the Rees tower. The renovation,
which included numerous mechanical improvements, has been widely
praised by all the performers who have played on the new
instrument. In addition to manufacturing the keyboards themselves,
the Verdin Company of Cincinnati was responsible for all of the
installation on the renovated instrument.