University of Montana

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John C. Ellis Carillon Tower

Carillon Plaque	John C. Ellis Plaque

A group of alumni offered to give a "new type of electronic carillon" to the university in 1951, which led to the installation of a traditional carillon two years ago.

The university installed a 47-bell van Bergen carillon that was funded by individual donations as memorials to individuals or groups.  The instrument was dedicated on October 18, 1953 by Kamiel Lefevre.

The carillon tower was renamed after former university carillonneur John C. Ellis in 1992.

References
1951 "Chimes Offered University by Alumni Body," The Missoulian, January 13, 1951, Page 1.
The alumni group wishes to install a new type of electronic carillon in the present tower of University hall.

1953 "MSU to Have Carillon of 47 Bronze Bells," The Missoulian, May 31, 1953, Page 1 | Part 2 |

1953 "Dedication Set for Carillon at University," Great Falls Tribune, October 8, 1953, Page 4.

1953 "Concert Will Dedicate MSU's Carillon Today," The Missoulian, October 18, 1953, Page 1 | Part 2 |
Includes a list of donors for each bell.

1977 "UM Carillon to Ring Again," The Missoulian, March 16, 1977,. Page 7.

1992 John Ellis, The Missoulian, July 10, 1992, Page 15.

2013 "Ringing from the Sky," The Missoulian, January 28, 2013, Page 9 | Part 2 |

2013 "Artifacts: The Bells! the Bells!" by Betsy Holmquist, Montanan
Each bell is embossed with a special seal that says "Montana State University"-UM's official name from 1917 to 1965. Bells 48 and 49 are still awaiting purchase and dedication, and Cooper says they would give the carillon its intended full four-octave range. 

2014 "47 University of Montana carillon bells each have a story to tell," The Missoulian, January 27, 2013 Updated May 2, 2014

© 2023 Morris A. Pierce