McMurry University

Radford Memorial Auditorium at McMurry University

Links to Carillon Inventories
GCNA	Tower Bells	Bok Tower Gardens

A 35-bell Petit and Fritsen carillon was played at the Netherland Exposition of the International Trade Fair in Mexico City from October 29 to November 13, 1952. The instrument was then bought by Abilene businessman Omar Radford and his son, who had it installed in the Radford Memorial Student Life Center at McMurry College. The carillon was dedicated on March 11, 1953 by Wendell Westcott.

References
1952 "Texans Going All-Out for Music With Bells," The Austin American, November 9, 1952, Page 19.
The $23,000 carillon will go direct from Mexico to McMurry College, Abilene.

1952 "McMurry Will Install Carillon," Abilene Reporter-News, December 7, 1952, Page 19.
At present the bells are on exhibition at the International Trade Fair in Mexico City.

1953 "Bells of McMurry To Ring Out Today," Abilene Reporter-News, March 11, 1953, Page 13.
Wendell Wescott

1953 "McMurry's Carillon Resounds--But It Almost Didn't Make it," Abilene Reporter-News, March 12, 1953, Page 17.
Due to upset airline connections in Dallas, Westcott parted company with his baggage which not only contained his carillon music, all irreplaceable, but also a pair of special shoes he wears while playing and two very necessary special-made leather gloves which protect the artist's hands while striking the wooden batons which serve as keys to the carillon.

1953 "Omar Radford, WT Business Leader, Dies," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, September 11, 1953, Page 7.
He recently joined his son James Omar Radford of Abilene and the Radford Estate in placing a 35-bell carillon in the tower of the Radford Memorial Student Life Center at McMurry College The student life center was named in honor of Omar Radford's parents/