About the Chime Inscriptions of the first eleven bells
In 1917, 11 bells were installed
in South College. The bronze alloy
bells, the largest of which weighs well over a ton, were donated by the class of
1863. The original bells were rung individually by a set of ropes and pulleys.
This system fell into disrepair, then, in 1966, five new bells and a new
rosewood console were installed. There was also a practice console installed,
whereby ringers can test their songs on a miniature set of tubular chimes before
ringing them out to the whole world! To
our knowledge, the bell consoles at Wesleyan University are the only rosewood
consoles in the world.
Throughout the years, the South College Bells have periodically fallen into disuse, due to lack of maintenance, repair, and interest. We wish to ensure that the bells are never silent again. Bell and Scroll, the recently founded ringers guild, is working both to preserve the history of the bells and bring them triumphantly into the 21st century.
The Bells of Old South College are often mistakenly called a carillon. In actuality, this name only applies to instruments with 23 bells or more. If an instrument consists of nine bells or less, it is termed a peal. All instruments between nine and 23 bells is a chime. Thus, the set of 16 bells in South College is a chime. The chime consists of 12 full and 4 semi-tones, the equivalent of 12 white keys on a piano and four black. This means that many of the songs that are played must be arranged to fit the capacity of the bells. Even the alma mater must be played in a contrived manner, to conceal the absence of a G# in the chime!
The South College Chime rest in a framework of steel and hickory. The bells always remain stationary, and are struck by a clappers that move inside of them. The clappers are moved by a pulley system of springs, cables and bars that connect each individual bell to a corresponding wooden peg in a chamber beneath the belfry.
It is in this chamber that our intrepid bell players toll out their tunes, for yesterday, for today, for the future!
In 1917 the class of 1863 gave us to sound the summons of this college.
For the young man, heir of the past, maker of the future, I ring.
For the teacher who enlarges the mind and strengthens the will, I ring.
For the preacher of the fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom, I ring.
For the scholar who preserves learning, I ring.
For the philosopher who ennobles life, I ring.
For the man of science who widens knowledge, I ring.
For him who in letters interprets life, I ring.
For him who in art beautifies life, I ring.
For the citizen, free and just, prepared to serve the state in peace or war, I ring.
For him, who in any station seeks not to be ministered unto, but to minister, I ring.