Charles Baird Carillon

A carillon is a musical instrument consisting of least two octaves of carillon bells arranged in chromatic series and played from a keyboard that permits control of expression through variation of touch. A carillon bell is a cast bronze cup-shaped bell whose partial tones are in such harmonious relationship to each other as to permit many such bells to be sounded together in varied chords with harmonious and concordant effect. The carillon is played on weekdays at noon and on most Saturday mornings. The public may come up after the recitals to view the carillon. The Charles Baird Carillon, third heaviest in the world, contains 55 bells. The largest bell, which strikes the hour, weighs 12 tons and the smallest bell weighs 21 pounds. The bells are stationary, hung on a steel framework in the bell chamber 120 feet above the campus.