Carillon

The Muelder Summer Carillon Series

With consecutive Wednesday recitals throughout July and into August at the MSU Beaumont Tower, we present performances featuring one of the most recognizable sounds of MSU. Located next to the MSU Museum on West Circle Drive, each concert begins at 6:00 p.m., rain or shine (canceled if there is severe weather is present). Concerts are free and open to the public. Picnics welcome.

Click here to view details about performances scheduled for this series.

The Summer Carillon Series was established in 1996 through the generosity of Dr. Milton Muelder whose career spanned more than 40 years at MSU. “People enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of an outdoor recital and you can’t get much better than the scenery MSU has to offer,” said MSU Carillonist Jon Lehrer. “All are welcome to attend and even bring along a picnic and spread out a blanket while they listen. It’s a great opportunity for children to come to a recital, too, as they don’t have to sit and be quiet all the time.”

All Carillon recitals are free and open to the public. Beaumont Tower is located in the West Circle Drive oval area on the MSU campus. It is recommended that those attending park at Stadium Lot #62. After each recital, the tower will be open for tours and a demonstration of the carillon. Click here for a map to Beaumont Tower.

Tours

Groups wishing to arrange a tour of the tower and carillon should contact University Carillonist Jon Lehrer at least one month before the proposed date of the tour.

Except where noted, tours of the tower and carillon are free and are usually offered for at least 20 minutes either before or after a concert. In a few instances, tours may occur during a carillon performance.

The carillon performance chamber is on the fourth floor of the tower (73 steps up) behind the clock face. There is no elevator or restroom facility in the structure.

Lessons

MSU College of Music and Community Music School are offering students the opportunity to learn to play MSU’s 49-bell carillon in Beaumont Tower, on either a credit or not-for-credit basis.

Our carillon is a fully mechanical, touch sensitive keyboard instrument played with the hands and feet and is one of only several hundred of its kind.

Are you…

• A current or former student musician (yes, childhood piano lessons count!) who is looking for a musical activity at MSU?
• Someone who wishes to connect to the university community and contribute to the “soundtrack” of campus?
• Someone with an interest in rare or unusual musical instruments?
• A person who enjoys developing their advanced physical coordination skills?
• Someone with musical experience (can read bass and treble clef) in any major, music or otherwise?

Then you are welcome to participate! Interested students should contact University Carillonist Jon Lehrer for more information.