Beaumont Tower - East Lansing, MI - Carillon on Waymarking.com

Beaumont also houses a full carillon, with 49 bells. Originally the tower had only ten bells but over time additional bells were added until a full range of music could be played from these. The bells now play frequently throughout the day activated by a computer. The Campus Circle where the tower is located often serves as a gathering place for students where free concerts on the lawn are available in the summer. The Beaumont Tower is one of the most recognizable and most photographed landmarks on the MSU campus. Its likeness as a line drawing is used on MSU letterhead. Special performances using the carillon are provided for specific occasions. -Beaumont Tower

The MSU carillon contains 49 bells and is capable of playing the full range of literature composed for the instrument. The first ten bells were installed in the new Beaumont Tower in 1928. Thirteen additional bells were installed in 1935. The smallest bell weighs about 15 pounds; the largest weighs 2.5 tons. The interior of the tower was completely renovated in 1996 and the carillon, clock, and Westminster chimes were restored. The lower 27 bells were retained and the upper bells were replaced by new bells specially designed to match the lower ones in respect to timbre and pitch.

The carillon clavier is located on the fourth floor of the tower, behind the clocks and near the bells. To play the bells, the carillonneur’s loosely closed fists strike the wooden keys and the carillonneur’s feet depress the foot pedals. When the keys and pedals are depressed, wires move the clappers to hit the bells and the bells sound. The more force used in moving the clappers, the louder the bells sound. There is only mechanical assistance involved in playing music on the instrument.

One never hears recorded music from the tower. Twenty-seven bells have a hammer on the outside. These bells, activated by a computer, strike the Westminster Quarters every 15 minutes during the day and play MSU Shadows daily. A carillon practice clavier is located on the ground floor of the tower.

The carillon itself was developed in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries in the area of Europe that is now Holland, Belgium, and northern France. There are about 185 carillons in North America, including 13 in Michigan.
Volunteer assistant carillonneurs play the MSU carillon at noon on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the summer and for special tours and events. -History of Beaumont Tower and the MSU Carillon

Location: 375 W Circle Dr. East Lansing, MI USA 48824 Who controls the carillon?: Michigan State University Number of bells: 49 Schedule of regular public performances: Volunteer assistant carillonneurs play the MSU carillon at noon on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the summer and for special tours and events. It chimes on the hour also. Year of construction: 01/01/1928 Structure: Located in Beaumont Tower in the center of Michigan State University campus Location web page: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
An original photograph of the carillon is required. One of you and your crew doing your very best imitation of Quasimodo and/or Esmeralda will be most appreciated.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.