Mobile Carillon Enchanting Sewanee

By Katie Lafferrandre, C’15, Special to the Messenger

The semi-truck parked outside of St. Luke’s Hall in Sewanee is more than just a tractor-trailer: it is also a musical instrument. Attached to the back of the truck is what looks like a block of bells. A closer look finds a cab-like space in the center of the bells, where the musician sits pressing the keys of the organ-like structure. This is a carillon, an instrument that usually can’t be accessed unless one climbs up a tall tower. Many Manigault Park frequenters have been surprised to find mid-afternoon bell music coming not from Shapard Tower, but from a musician playing on the ground. Michael Doar, a recent graduate of the University, said: “It was crazy. I thought the chimes were coming from Shapard, and then I turned a corner and there was this big truck!”

University Carillonneur John Bordley has wanted to bring the Chime Master Mobile Millennium carillon to Sewanee for the summer so that people could be closer to the source of the music that they enjoy on a daily basis. Built in 1992, this is one of two mobile carillons in the United States.

Bordley usually has to climb all the way up to the top of Shapard Tower—124 steps, he can assure you—to play the carillon, but now with the mobile carillon, he can see and be seen in the middle of Manigault Park. And he only has to ascend a meager five or six steps via ladder to arrive in the bell cabin. 

The mobile carillon weighs 26,000 pounds and consists of 48 bells. These bells can be played in succession to produce a melody, or sounded together to play a chord. The carillonneur plays by pressing the stick-like keys, or batons, with fists and by pressing the pedal keyboard with his or her feet. The keys connect to metal clappers that strike the inside of the bells according to the amount of pressure applied by the carillonneur. 

Bordley says he first became interested in learning to play the carillon while he was still a chemistry professor at Sewanee. The carillon studio was located above his office so he could hear carillonneurs practicing their craft from below. Bordley says that he knew then he would become involved with the University carillon some day. 

The University carillon is most often played at church services, but that doesn’t mean Bordley doesn’t get to have fun. He recalls arranging “Let it Go” from Disney’s “Frozen” for the carillon, as well as Lady Gaga’s popular song “Bad Romance.” Many students have enjoyed hearing the Harry Potter theme song being played from Shapard Tower on their way to the library. 

Given the regularity with which the carillon’s music pervades the campus, it seems appropriate that residents have the opportunity to learn more about the music and how it is played. Bordley and the big rig are now allowing the public to view from the ground a musical process that is normally very removed from the audience.

The mobile carillon participated in the Fourth of July parade (though the musicians were too busy playing to throw candy), and has also been featured in Sunday concerts and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. 

Charlene Williamson and Parks Greene will play the final carillon recital at 4:45 p.m., Sunday, July 19, in Manigault Park. After that, the mobile carillon will bid farewell to Sewanee and leave on its next adventure.