Michigan State University

Beaumont Tower Carillon at Michigan State University

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The carillon in the John W. Beaumont Memorial Tower at Michigan State University is a traditional carillon of 49 bells. The instrument started in 1929 with 10 bells cast by the Gillett and Johnston Bell Foundry in Coydon, England, which along with the tower were donated by John W. Belmont and his wife, Alice. Three bells were added in 1930 and ten more in 1935, making the instrument a carillon. Fourteen Petit and Fritsen bells were installed in 1950 and six more in 1952. Four Gillett and Johnston bells were added in 1957. The carillon was silent for a decade until 1996 when the Petit and Fritsen bells were removed and replaced by 22 bells from the Royal Eijsboots Bell Foundry, bringing the total to 49 bells.

The new chime was first played on March 20, 1929 and the carillon was first played on November 22, 1935. The carillon was rededicated on May 3, 1996.

References
1929 "Memorial Tower Is Rising on State College Campus," Lansing State Journal, January 1, 1929, Page 45.

1929 "Chimes in Beaumont Tower are Sounded," Lansing State Journal, March 20, 1929, Page 1.

1929 "Campus Chimes Sounded Friday," Lansing State Journal, March 23, 1929, Page 20.
Timepieces at M.S.C. Unnecessary with Operation of Memorial Clock

1929 "Michigan State College Chimes," Lansing State Journal, May 10, 1929, Page 6.
If the $3,833 duty on the Michigan State college chimes is remitted the act may. at least, be regarded as a shot that helped to ring the bell.

1935 "College Carillon To Be Enlarged," Lansing State Journal, June 11, 1935, Page 8.
Board of Agriculture Acts on Purchase of 10 More Bells for Tower

1935 "Mortar Board to Initiate Wife of College President," Lansing State Journal, November 22, 1935, Page 24.
While Mrs. Shaw is being initiated the Beaumont tower carillon will ring out Mortar Board and college Songs.

1935 "College Chimes Range Widened," Lansing State Journal, November 27, 1935, Page 3.
Music of much greater variety Is emanating from Beaumont tower on the Michigan State college campus these days. The reason is that 10 additional bells have been installed along with the 13 placed ln the tower originally, bringing the total up to 23. Previously only chimes could be played but now with the added bells carillon music is ringing out over the campus.
The Glllett-Johnston company of Croyden, England, installed the bells

1941 John Wesley Beaumont (30 Jul 1858 - 17 Jul 1941) grave

1941 "Beaumont Mourned by M.S.C.," Detroit Evening Times, July 19, 1941, Page 11.
Mr. Beaumont's last visit to the college was in 1937 when he saw for the first and only time the $75,000 memorial towr which he presented in 1929.

1950 "Carillon Art Originated in Low Countries," by Wendell Wescott, Lansing State Journal, July 30, 1950, Page 20.

1950 "Bells Have Long Musical History," by Wendell Wescott, Lansing State Journal, August 6, 1950, Page 22.

1950 "There are 63 Carillons in North America," by Wendell Wescott, Lansing State Journal, August 13, 1950, Page 22.
13 Are on Campuses of United States Universities.

1950 "Bells to Have A New Sound," by Wendell Wescott, Lansing State Journal, December 29, 1950, Page 2.
Soprano Chimes Added to Belmont Tower at College. 14 new bells from Petit and Fristen.

1966 "Music of the Bells," Carillons Peal Out Distinctive Melodies In Downtown Lansing, on MSU Campus," Lansing State Journal, April 10, 1966, Page 17.

1996 "For Keeps: Beaumont Tower a Lesson in Preserving Heritage," Lansing State Journal, May 1, 1996, Page 8.

1997 "The Bells at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan," by Margo Halsted, Bulletin of the Guild of Carillonneurs of North America 48:20-29 (1997)

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