Clemson Memorial Carillon marks 25th anniversary with concert

Published: August 30, 2012

This Carillon bell was donated by the Hortons. image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON — It has announced the beginning of each academic year, celebrated victories on the football field, entertained concertgoers and marked the passage of members of the Clemson University family for a quarter of a century.

The Clemson Memorial Carillon's 25th anniversary will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, during “Music in the Air: X.”

As the largest musical instrument on Clemson’s campus, this iconic university symbol in Tillman Hall started as an idea by Rembert "Red" Horton (Class of 1930) and his family. With the Hortons’ 1985 donation of the first six bronze bells in 1985 — known as the Clemson University Victory Peal — a two-year fundraising and building effort began. The rest of the bells were acquired through the generosity of many other Clemson donors and supporters. Forty-seven handcrafted bells were dedicated Oct. 18, 1987.

The Undergraduate Student Senate, along with the 2011-2012 student body, found a way to add their marks to the carillon and complete the circle of giving. As part of the annual Capital Improvement process, the Senate voted to allocate $63,000 for a 2,800-pound D#/E flat 3 bell needed to complete the instrument. A special inscription approved by the student body will don the last bell that is set to be installed in this anniversary year.

University carillonneur Linda Dzuris will perform at the annual “Music in the Air” carillon concert. The public can bring a picnic and hear the music at recommended listening spots that include the Cox Union Plaza, Military Heritage Plaza, Bowman Field or the Clemson Memorial Carillon Garden.

The free concert will take place rain or shine and visitors are invited to tour the playing cabin following the performance. For information, call the Brooks Center Box Office at 864-656-7787 or visit www.clemson.edu/Brooks.

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