Carillon series brings Beaumont's bell players into spotlight

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Beaumont Tower is a university landmark, a symbol synonymous with MSU and recognizable to people who’ve never been to East Lansing, let alone on campus, all over the nation. We walk by it every day, hurrying from class to class, without ever stopping to pay attention to it.

But what most people fail to realize, even though the sounds of “Westminster Chimes” can be heard every 15 minutes, is that the tower isn’t just a symbol of MSU pride; it also houses an instrument.

The 13th annual Muelder International Summer Carillon Recital Series featured Ray McLellan of the MSU College of Music and works to make the performers more visible.

McLellan played to the largest crowd that has gathered for the series beneath the bell tower Wednesday evening, said Sally Harwood, an assistant carillonneur.

The Beaumont Tower Carillon is comprised of 49 bells, the smallest of which weighs 15 pounds and the largest weighs 2.5 tons, assistant carillonneur Patricia Johannes said.

McLellan plays half-hour recitals Tuesdays during the school year for those who missed the summer series, she said.

“Dr. McLellan played one of the best recitals ever played on this carillon Wednesday night,” she said.

In the crowd for the performance was the series’ sponsor, Milton E. Meulder. Meulder began sponsoring the summer carillon series in 1996 as a tribute to his friend, Wendell Wescott, a carillonneur at Beaumont Tower for more than 40 years.

He said Wescott made the carillon the signature of MSU at every major athletic event on campus during his tenure at the bell tower from 1947 until 1988.

Meulder continues to attend the annual concert series during the summer to enjoy music in the outdoors. Meulder will celebrate his 101st birthday in August.

“I sponsor the series to provide first-rate music in one of the most beautiful settings in the U.S.,” Muelder said. “I regard it as a privilege.”

Johannes said McLellan offers private lessons to students and people around the community with a background in keyboard. After a short audition, Johannes was accepted as an assistant carillonneur and now spends many noon hours practicing in Beaumont Tower.

If the whiteboard is outside during a recital, visitors can come in to the tower and climb the steps up to the playing cabin and see the carillon for themselves, she said.

Johannes said he considers playing the Beaumont Tower carillon an honor as an alumna of MSU.

“You don’t choose the bells,” she said. “The bells choose you.”

Michael Townley, an MSU alumnus and East Lansing resident, brought his family of four down to MSU’s campus to hear the carillon concert.

“It’s beautiful music in an open-air environment,” he said. “It’s a real social time to spend with your family.”

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