Carillon at Indiana University
The Bicentennial Grand Carillon project transformed an earlier carillon installation, augmenting and relocating it into a newly designed tower to commemorate the university’s 200th anniversary. The instrument was expanded by adding bells to upgrade it to “grand” status, increasing its musical range and capability. The new tower, standing more than 120 feet tall, establishes a prominent visual and acoustic landmark on campus. Key goals included honoring heritage (the original carillon was built in the 1970s), improving structural integrity, enhancing sound projection, and making the carillon more accessible for both musical performance and public engagement.
Construction & Renovation Experience
The work involved dismantling the older tower, restoring and retuning the original bells, commissioning new bells from a bell foundry in the Netherlands, and constructing the new support tower and housing structure. Structurally, the tower is built around radial steel components supported by multiple limestone piers and vertical precast concrete fins to carry the weight of around 65 bells (approximately 88,000 pounds total). Acoustical louvers were incorporated into the exterior to allow sound to radiate properly, while protecting the instrument from weather. Inside the tower, a console room and micro-classroom facilitate performance and instruction, accessed via a stair enclosed in glass. The project required coordination among architects, structural engineers, acousticians, foundry specialists, and contractors to balance aesthetics, durability, and sound quality.
Project Impact & Benefits
The upgraded Grand Carillon delivers multiple benefits. Musically, it provides a richer, more expressive instrument with expanded range and better tone, while its elevated, central location ensures sound carries into surrounding campus spaces. The structure itself becomes a gathering point and landmark—both visually compelling and symbolically meaningful in celebrating institutional history. Practically, the new tower improves safety and accessibility, replacing a deteriorating earlier structure. For the broader campus and community, the project offers improved cultural programming, enhanced educational opportunity (via the micro-classroom), and adds a durable installation expected to serve for decades. It also demonstrates how renovation, enhancement, and relocation can extend the life and significance of heritage instrumentation while meeting modern performance and design expectations.
