The new Schulmerich Celebration® Carillon

at Christ Chapel – Gustavus Adolphus College

St. Peter, Minnesota

A new digital carillon was installed in Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College during the first week of February, 2004. This carillon, the Celebration® model, was created and installed by Schulmerich. It is the most advanced digital carillon they make, and is also the first installation of its kind. With its three-manual console and eight choices of bell sounds, it is also the most advanced electronic carillon available today.

This instrument is a gift of the Gustavus Class of 1954, celebrating their 50^th anniversary. A previous electronic carillon, also built by Schulmerich, had been installed in 1961. The speakers were blown away by the tornado of 1998, and this new, much more advanced instrument, is a replacement.

With its very clear, realistic sounds, this instrument can be programmed to ring the hours, ring peals to call people to chapel services, toll for funerals, play seasonal hymn settings, ring changes, and also be played in live performances. The carillon has speakers both on the roof of the chapel and inside. Chapel Cantor David Fienen wrote a special hour chime which has been programmed into this instrument for ringing the hours.

The console, installed in the balcony of Christ Chapel.

Cantor David Fienen assisting Alan Foss

installing the speakers on the roof.

(photo by Jonathan Kraatz)

Trying it out.

The control box (during installation)