
Draper Tower Carillon - Berea College - Berea, KY
Posted by:
vhasler
N 37° 34.373 W 084° 17.531
16S E 739134 N 4161874
The 56 bell carillon at Berea College is the largest in the state of Kentucky
Waymark Code: WM5V84
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 02/15/2009
Views: 5
From the below website link,
Berea's carillon bells range in size from the 2,750 lb. "bourdon," or largest bell, with a diameter of 50", to the smallest, which is 5 1/2" in diameter and weighs 18 1/2 lbs. The bourdon was the first bell to be raised and installed in the tower with the others following in descending size order. The bells were cast and tuned in the Netherlands by Petit and Fritsen Bellfoundry, makers of bells since 1660, and are made of "bell bronze," an alloy of 80% copper and 20% tin. With 56 bells, the carillon has a range of four and 1/2 octaves, making it possible to play virtually any piece of music in full melody and harmony.
These bells are in Draper Building - not Phelps-Stokes Chapel which has its own 20 bell set - as incorrectly listed on one referenced website. The central staircase in the hall will take you to a locked door for the carillon view area.
4/5/09 Update: A 12/13/2004 USA Today article (still on-line) for 10 great places to chime in with the bells states for the Jessie Preston Draper Memorial Carillon, Berea College, Ky.
"Boasting one of the newest and most well-designed carillons in the country, Berea's bells were cast 20 years earlier for another facility. University carillonneur John Courter plays holiday and seasonal music throughout the month.."