Group brings back carillon

John Riester concentrates on the sheet music spread out before him as his hands fly expertly over the wooden levers and his feet pump the large pedals of the playing desk. The small room echoes with music. With a music school as renowned as IU's, an afternoon practice session such as this might seem run of the mill. But this particular practice session, and this particular instrument, is anything but ordinary. \nThe room is set on the highest point on campus, with windows exposing a breathtaking view, and the music can be heard from over a half a mile away. Riester is playing the Metz Tower Carillon.\nUp until last fall, the carillons had been silent for several years. Riester, an organ performance major, took notice and then took action. \nHe organized the IU Carillon Guild. Their goal is to peer teach and in his words, "bring music to campus on otherwise silent instruments." With minimal funding from the University, the five-member guild takes responsibility for basic upkeep of the carillons and teaching the instrument to interested students. They are supervised by music school professor John Schwandt. The guild also hosts master classes and recitals with professional carillonneurs. \nThere are 171 carillons in North America, two of which are at IU. The Metz Memorial Carillon is located near the intersection of Jordan Avenue and 17th Street. The cast bronze bells weigh a total of over 17 tons and hang in a 91-foot high limestone and concrete tower. Each bell is inscribed with a unique quote from scripture or literature. \nThe highest bell measures about seven inches in diameter and is inscribed with a quote from the book of Psalms: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands." \nThe largest bell is about 65 inches in diameter and weighs well over three tons. Because of its location, less than 100 yards away from several fraternities and apartment buildings, the Metz carillon can only be practiced one hour a day.\nFor practice purposes, the carillon players use the School of Music Carillon. It is located atop the Music Annex building and contains 42 bells. There is also a chime on the Student Building, which is sometimes referred to as a carillon. It is the only one of the three that uses an automated mechanism to chime on the hour.\nThe carillons were installed on campus in 1971, thanks to a donation from the Arthur R. Metz Foundation. Metz was a distinguished alumnus and Chicago physician and surgeon. The carillons cost $101,000. \nHerman B Wells also influenced the building of the carillons. \n"It's hard to exactly know if these instruments would've been here without Herman B Wells," Riester said. "He was really an ardent supporter of bringing carillons here. He was really big on making IU a national school to be reckoned with, and this really is one of those unique things for a university to have." \nRiester said when students hear the bells of the carillon they realize what a unique addition to the campus they are. \n"It's really neat when I've been playing, and I come down and see that people have gathered to listen," Riester said. "A lot of people say they've walked past this for years and didn't know it played, or thought that it was just there for looks. It's rewarding to hear that"