Warren Elmer Hinds Memorial Chime
   Henry Vincent Couper Memorial Carillon

*Location:

   Old Chapel
   University of Massachusetts
   (formerly Mass. State College)
   Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
   LL: N 42.38888, W 72.52779

Site locator map

*Carillonist:

   (None appointed)

   2004  Kenneth Samonds

*Contact:

   Richard P. Nathhorst '79
   Capital Project Manager
   Facilities Planning Division
   University of Massachusetts
   360 Campus Center Way
   Amherst, MA  01003-9248
   T: 413-545-6497   F: 413-545-3684
   E: nathhorst@facil.umass.edu

*Schedule:

   Not played except for Commencement,
   Reunion, and July 4th.

*Remarks:

   Original added semitone was flat 7th;
   interim added semitones unknown.
   Also a swinging bell from 1892 by
   Meneely (Troy), struck by Seth Thomas
   tower clock.
   Expansion dedicated June 2004.
   Playing console is 4 octaves;
   identical practice console
   includes missing bass semitones.
   Electro-pneumatic Auto-Play system
   by Eijsbouts, 2013.
   2015: Building to be rehabbed as a
   multipurpose (non-religious) facility
   by 2016.

*Technical data:

   Traditional carillon of 42 bells
   Pitch of heaviest bell is F  in the middle octave
   Keyboard range:     C G   /    C A   
   Transposition is up  5 semitone(s), i.e., from C to F 
   There are two missing bass semitones
   There is an identical practice console
   The instrument was enlarged in 2004
     with bells made by Eijsbouts    
   Prior history:
     In 1999, the instrument was begun with 12 bells
       by Eijsbouts   
       (12 bells remain from that work.)
       Keyboard range was:     C G 42/    C A   
     In 1937, a complete instrument of 10 bells was installed
       by Meneely/Troy
       (0 bells remain from that work.)
       Keyboard range was:     C D   /    C F  4
       There was one added semitone
   Auxiliary mechanisms: E     
   Tower details not available
   Year of latest technical information source is 2013

The university Website has various bits of information about the building; they can be found through the Search facility using "old chapel".

There is an unofficial Website related to the project for restoration of the building, clock and bells; while it is incomplete, it does have some very interesting old photos of the building.

A Waymarking page has two photos of the building.

Historical article prompted by addition of this building to the National Register of Historic Places.

Where the initial phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Meneely (Troy) bellfoundry.
Where the second phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Eijsbouts bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.
Where the final phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Eijsbouts bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.

Ranking among all North American traditional carillons by weight.
Ranking among all North American traditional carillons by size (number of bells).
Ranking among all North American traditional carillons by year of completion.

Other medium carillons with similar keyboard ranges.

Index to all traditional carillons in MA.

Index to all tower bell instruments in MA.

   This page was built from the database on 14-Oct-24
   based on textual data last updated on 2015/07/20
   and on technical data last updated on 2014/08/06