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The bell tolls for centennial
Bells will literally ring when Mount Royal University’s centennial celebrations officially kick off in September.
As part of the 100th anniversary festivities, the Kerby Memorial Tower and Carillon is getting an upgrade. The improvements will allow for easier use and a better sound.
“Now we can digitally copy the sound of cast bells. It will sound exactly like cast bells — it is a great sound,” says John Nelson, the Schulmerich Bells sales representative who not only sold Mount Royal the upgrade, but also sold Mount Royal the original carillon in 1969.
“The carillon hasn’t been played as often as it should,” says the 88-year-old, who lives in a condo on the Lincoln Park campus border. “I know the community would like to hear it more often.”
The carillon refurbishment completes work on the amphitheatre named in recognition of a generous donation from TransCanada Corporation. With the update, the carillon can either be played live using a keyboard or it can play a recorded piece using a memory card. Currently, the carillon uses a system of brass rods to duplicate the sound of bells when played live. Recorded tunes are played using a roll similar to a player piano.
Lara Hamnett, Mount Royal’s centennial events strategist, says the carillon’s improved ease of use means it will be used more frequently than just for special occasions such as Convocation.
“Mount Royal’s carillon was officially unveiled in 1972 — when the Lincoln Park campus opened — and has been an iconic and beloved symbol for Mount Royal ever since. But over the years it hasn't been played very frequently,” says Hamnett.
New soundsThe carillon will include six unique bell voices:
Listen to some samples of carillon sounds posted by Schulmerich. |
“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together, and to bring back and celebrate an important part of our history while leaving a lasting legacy for all to enjoy in our future."
The President’s Centennial Address on Sept. 20 will include the unveiling of the new and improved carillon. It will also mark the start of a daily chime.
Nelson is thrilled not only for the repeat business, but for legacy left for Mount Royal.
“I love it,” says Nelson. “It will become the voice of the campus.”
The personable mounted police veteran is also looking forward to attending the September Centennial event.
He hopes it goes a little more smoothly than the first time around.
“When we tested the carillon for the original dedication, there was no sound,” recalls Nelson. “Some students from the University of Calgary had disconnected some speakers the night before.”
In the place of the missing speakers was a ransom note asking Mount Royal to donate money to a charity.
Luckily, the engineers were able to reconnect the remaining speakers and the dedication continued with a live performance by carillonneur John Klein.
— Anika Van Wyk, March 12, 2010