*Location:

   John W. Beaumont Memorial Tower
   Michigan State University
   within West Circle Drive
   East Lansing, Michigan, USA
   LL: N 42.73196, W 84.48227

Site locator map

*Carillonist:

   Jon Lehrer,   (C)
     University Carillonist
     (effective 15 Aug 2022)
   E: jonathan.lehrer/@/gmail DOTcom
   - and -
   Laurie Harkema,
     Assistant Carillonist
   - and -
   (Mrs.) Sally S. Harwood,   (C)
     volunteer assistant
   43 Agate Way
   Williamston, MI  48895-9423
   H: 517-655-4798   W: 517-353-4934
   F: 517-432-4567
   E: Sally.S.Harwood@gmail.com

   1929-41 Russell Daubert
   1941-87 Wendell Westcott (1911-2010)
   1985-87 William Vajda
   (1987-96 silent)
   1996-97 Margo Halsted   (C)
   1997-2021 Ray I. McLellan (1958-2021)

*Contact:

   College of Music
   Michigan State University
   East Lansing, MI  48824
   T: 517-353-5340

*Schedule:

   Wednesday at noon.
   Westminster quarters 0700-2300 daily;
   alma mater daily before 5pm strike

*Remarks:

   Last 4 basses were the last bells cast
   by G&J (using Taylor foundry); one is
   dated 1954, though not installed then;
   reports of these 4 being installed in
   1959 appear to be incorrect.
   Restored 1995-6, with new keyboard;
   bass C# key in manual and pedal is a
   spring-loaded dummy.  20 P&F trebles
   (14 from 1954, 6 from 1951) removed;
   disposition unknown.
   Practice keyboard range -Z54:GC/GC30,
   allowing use in support of Ann Arbor
   North Campus.

*Technical data:

   Traditional carillon of 49 bells
   Pitch of heaviest bell is C  in the middle octave
   Keyboard range:     A#C   /    A#C 25
   Transposition is up  2 semitone(s), i.e., from C to D 
   There are two missing bass semitones
   There is a non-identical practice console
   The instrument was enlarged in 1996
     with 22 bells made by Eijsbouts        
   Prior history:
     In 1957, the instrument was enlarged to 47 bells
       by Gillett & Johnston
       (4 bells were added in and/or remain from that work.)
       Keyboard range was:     C C   /    C C 23
       Transposition was nil (concert pitch)
     In 1952, the instrument was enlarged to 43 bells
       by Petit & Fritsen
       (0 bells remain from that work.)
       Pitch of heaviest bell was E  in the middle octave
       Keyboard range was:     C --  /    ----  
       Transposition was up  4 semitone(s), i.e., from C to E 
     In 1950, the instrument was enlarged to 37 bells
       by Petit & Fritsen
       (0 bells remain from that work.)
       Keyboard range was:     C D   /    ----  
     In 1935, the instrument was enlarged to 23 bells
       by Gillett & Johnston
       (10 bells were added in and/or remain from that work.)
       Keyboard range was:     C C   /    ----  
     In 1930, the instrument was enlarged to 13 bells
       by Gillett & Johnston
       (3 bells were added in and/or remain from that work.)
       Keyboard range was:     C --  /    ----  
     In 1928, the instrument was begun with 10 bells
       by Gillett & Johnston
       (10 bells remain from that work.)
   Auxiliary mechanisms: E27Q  
   Tower details: 
     Height of console:                 10 meters above ground
     Height of lowest level of bells:   15 meters above ground
     Height of highest level of bells:  18 meters above ground
     Belfry openness:  80%
   Year of latest technical information source is 1996

The Beaumont Tower carillon has it own Website, with lots of information available.

The campus map page about Beaumont Tower has a building photo.  On Section B of the main campus map, Beaumont Tower is at B-12.

News article (Dec.2024) with photo

Waymarking page, with two photos of the tower
Another Waymarking page has three photos.

Where the initial phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Gillett & Johnston bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.
Where the second phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Gillett & Johnston bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.
Where the third phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Gillett & Johnston bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.
Where the fourth phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Petit & Fritsen bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.
Where the fifth phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Petit & Fritsen bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.
Where the sixth phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Gillett & Johnston 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 concert class carillons by year of completion.

Other concert carillons with similar keyboard ranges.

Index to all traditional carillons in MI.

Index to all tower bell instruments in MI.

   This page was built from the database on  2-Mar-25
   based on textual data last updated on 2025/02/24
   and on technical data last updated on 2003/04/22