OCR Text |
Show "THE BELLS OF WEBER STATE" The Schulmerich-Eijsbouts cast bronze bells installed in the Stewart Carillon Tower, represents a combination of american engineering ability and old world craftsmanship at its finest. Cast in Asten, Holland by the Eijsbouts Netherlands Bellfoundry LTD., the bells carry the endorsement of the Netherlands Carillon Society. Two types of carillon bells are actually used in the Stewart Tower. The large full size cast bells are visibly suspended below the clock faces and produce the hour strike and play the familiar Westminster Chime melody. The tower also houses an electronic carillon instrument of 61 Flemish, 61 Harp, and 61 Celest bells for a total of 183 bells; the largest carillon of bells in the state. The electronic carillon instrument is housed in the base of the tower and consists of miniature precision tuned bell metal tone generators, struck by metal hammers as their tone sources. Because its action duplicates that of a metal clapper striking a cast bronze bell the tones are produced in the traditional manner of a large cast bell carillon. The sound is then amplified and relayed through stentors or speakers positioned near the top of the tower to produce true bell tones undisinguish-able from a carillon of full sized bells. The instrument can be played manually from a dual manual keyboard console located in the base of the tower or activated through an automatic roll player or clock controlled accessories in the structure. As a major point of interest, bells through the centuries have been interpreted as a voice to the people and following this tradition the Bells of Weber State carry inscriptions selected by the donors as an admonition and challenge to all who hear their message. The latin inscription together with the translation is as follows: Bell No. 1 - Scientiam Discite - Learn Understanding Bell No. 2 - Sapientiam Capite - Gain (grasp) Wisdom Bell No. 3 - Virtutem Agite - Practice Virtue Bell No. 4 - Deum Amate - Love God It was the donor's wish that the tower contain in addition to the 183 bell instrument, four large cast bells which would toll the hour strike and play the Westminster melody. The bell which were cast in Asten, Holland, are inscribed in latin as an admonition to those who hear them. Cast in 1970, the bells arrived on the Weber campus in August of 1971. Because of the interest shown they were placed on display in the Science Lecture Hall Museum. A large poster contained facts, translation, etc., and information-sheet handouts were distributed to the viewers. Donors of the tower structure and carillon instruments are Mr. and Mrs. Donnell Stewart, former students of Weber State College, who have retained their love and association with the school over the years. Many thousands of dollars have been donated to scholarship programs, loan funds, grants for scientific equipment, museum, band equipment, and a host of other programs. Because of their love for music and in the desire to provide a lasting memorial to all former students, faculty, administration and governing boards, the donors have thus provided a campus landmark and symbol uniting traditions of the past with the hope of the future. |