JACKSON, Tenn. — July 12, 2016 — Miller Tower, a fixture of the 51社区 campus since 2000, is getting a new 49-bell carillon to replace its current speaker system.
Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said the addition of the cast bronze bells emphasizes the importance of beauty and art on the campus.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a musical instrument designed to bring beauty to the environment,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ne of the quickest ways to see God is through beauty. This will be a reminder even as we mark time that the Creator is the one who owns time.鈥�
The new carillon was designed by Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry in Charleston, South Carolina. The bells were cast at their foundry in France, and they began the installation process this week.
Oliver said Union鈥檚 emphasis on excellence in art and commitment to the gospel will be reflected in the new bells. Scripture verses are permanently inscribed on the 18 largest bells in the carillon. Each verse was selected for its significance in the life of the university.
Stan Christoph, owner of Christoph Paccard, said all of the bells will fit in the top portion of the tower. The largest bell weighs about 1,500 pounds, but the smaller bells take up very little space. He said he sees the new carillon as a way for this generation to be a testament to the next.
鈥淭hese bells will last for thousands of years,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ells that were made two or three thousand years ago are still around today.鈥�
Christoph said it is very difficult to replicate the sound of a bronze bell, so the quality and musicality of the sound will be greatly enhanced with the new bells. In addition to the bells, the tower is also getting new LED lights that can be programmed for special occasions.
Once the installation is complete, the tower will continue to chime at its regular schedule, playing the Westminster chime every quarter hour and a hymn at 9:50 a.m. and 5 p.m. A control system will play the bells automatically, but the new carillon also includes a keyboard in the leg of Miller Tower that allows the bells to be played by a musician.
Miller Tower is named after Opha Miller, who provided the funds for the construction of the tower. The funds for the carillon were provided by the Opha Miller Trust.