The carillon atop Century Tower on the campus of the University of Florida has recently undergone an extensive renovation. The renovation, which was carried out by the instrument's builder, Koninklijke Eijsbouts (Royal Dutch Bell Foundry) of Asten, The Netherlands, was completed just in time for the 9/11 memorial of 2003. The renovation included the addition of the top octave bringing the total number of bells to 61. The bourdon, which weighs nearly 7000 pounds, sounds B flat/A sharp. The compass is now five octaves with the low B-natural and C-sharp omitted. The carillon also received a new playing clavier and new radial playing action. The new clavier employs new materials for bushings and baton pads, and the pedals are radiating, which brings the lowest and the highest pedals closer to the player. A new computer system was installed to play the quarter and hourly strikes. Five bells plus the bourdon are equipped with electric action which is connected to the new computer. Eijsbouts also provided a new, electronic practice clavier and computer. The practice clavier can produce touch-sensitive sounds from four, sampled bell tones. With the MIDI interface, the practice clavier becomes an excellent teaching aid by enabling the student to record and play back.
Century Tower, which is 157 feet tall, was completed in 1956. It is a monument in memory of students killed in World Wars I and II and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the University of Florida's parent institution, Kingsbury Academy in Ocala, Florida, in 1853. The completion of the carillon and the renovations to the playing action take place in this, the University's 150th year. The tower also received major renovations prior to the carillon renovation. The stairs, which had wooden treads, were completed with the pouring of concrete in the metal forms. New stair railings were installed along with new lights and wiring. The tower is now quite visitor-friendly.
Dr. Laura Ellis began her appointment at the University of Florida this fall as University Carillonneur and Associate Professor of Organ and Harpsichord. She takes over after the long and impressive career of Willis Bodine, who retired from teaching last spring. Professor Bodine's tireless efforts at improving the facilities of the School of Music have brought a world-class carillon to the Gainesville community. Bodine has written many compositions for carillon, and for the first concert on the newly renovated instrument he wrote and performed a fantasy on O sacred head sore wounded and Requiescent in pacem.
The first performances on the newly renovated carillon took place on September 11, 2003, as a memorial for those who lost their lives on that tragic day two years ago. Three performances took place during the class breaks on that morning beginning with Dr. John Duff, Director of the School of Music, who played the bagpipes from the bell chamber. Professor Bodine premiered his new compositions during the next class break, and Lee Cobb, graduate assistant in carillon, played a 15-minute program of patriotic music during the third interval. To celebrate the improved facilities, the carillon will be played daily, Monday through Friday throughout the school year for 15 minutes beginning at 12:35 pm. A series of concerts featuring well-known artists is also being planned.
