Featured Carillon Projects
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
This carillon
of 36 bells was cast partly by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London,
England, and partly by Paccard, Annecy, France, and was installed by
Harry Van
Bergen, Sr. in 1976. This installation
was never completely satisfactory and the instrument had deteriorated
to a point where it was nearly unplayable by the time the bells were
removed to storage in early 2004 during the restoration of the stonework
of the bell chamber and domed tower top section. (It is interesting that
12 of the larger bells of the carillon bear the inscription “Van
Bergen Bellfoundries”; in all printed references to this instrument,
it was said that the 15 largest bells were cast by that foundry. However,
in actuality, when we brought the bells to our foundry for the refitting
project to begin, we discovered that twelve bells in question had been
cast by the Whitechapel Foundry in London, England; and that, in fact,
there were no bells made by the Van Bergen firm in the instrument, as
all the remaining bells were cast by the Paccard firm.) In the Fall of
2004, we received the order to completely rebuild this instrument, furnishing
new bell frame, new clappers and fittings, new manual action and playing
and practice keyboards; this restoration included enlarging the compass
by seven new bells, bringing it to 3 1/2 octaves, 43 bells; two of the
Paccard bells were replaced, and several more received corrective tuning
while in our foundry. Reinstallation of the carillon was completed in
early September of 2005. The following month, the instrument was formally
rededicated during the Texas Regional Gathering of carillonneurs of that
year, with a recital by George R. Gregory, Carillonneur of Central Christian
Church, San Antonio. (www.ttu.edu/traditions/carillon.php)
 |
 |
 |
An unusual view: photo taken from the carillon
tower atop the Administration Building at Texas Tech University,
showing the twin tower (containing two swinging bells known as
the “Victory Bells”), which tower is a mirror image
of the carillon tower; downtown Lubbock appears in the distance |
The original Van Bergen playing keyboard |
The new playing keyboard in final assembly
in our keyboard shop at the foundry |
 |
 |
 |
The new playing keyboard in the process of
installation in the tower |
The new four-octave practice keyboard in final
assembly in our keyboard shop |
A glimpse of the original Van Bergen action
prior to disassembly |
 |
 |
 |
A section of the new MW&Co. radial transmission
system in process of installation |
One of the new treble bells in the process
of tuning in our foundry |
Other new treble bells, some finished and some
waiting for tuning, in our foundry |
 |
 |
|
Some of the larger Whitechapel bass bells mounted
in the new bell frame |
Several treble bells on the upper levels, including
two of the new trebles; note the new clappers, and the design of
the frame which was designed to fit around the chamber walls to
make the most of the space available |
|