SU Offers Tour of Brown and Church Carillon January 17
SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University’s Center for Extended and Lifelong Learning (CELL) invites community members to get to know the campus better through “Discover SU,” a series highlighting the University’s offerings and services.
The next event provides a rare up-close look at SU’s Brown and Church Carillon in the Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons (GAC) from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 17. Dr. William Folger, co-chair of SU’s Music, Theatre and Dance Department, leads the tour, which begins at Hungry Minds Express on the first floor of the GAC.
The $3.2 million carillon, housed atop the largest enclosed structure in Wicomico County, opened in 2017 thanks to a generous gift from Delaware entrepreneur William Church in memory of his long-time partner, Samuel Brown. The 48-bell instrument is one of only three in Maryland and the only one on a university campus.
Its two largest bells, weighing nearly four tons combined, were cast by London’s Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which also made Big Ben and the original Liberty Bell. (It closed in 2017 after more than five centuries.) The remaining 46 bells were cast by Meeks, Watson & Co. of Georgetown, OH, the largest manufacturer of carillon bells in the U.S. Richard Watson, 71, who designed the instrument, tuned the bells to concert pitch.
Upcoming tours in the series during the spring semester include:
- February 21: Fulton Hall arts and music
- March 21: University Archives and special collections
- April 18: Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology
- May 16: SU arboretum
Those planning to attend should RSVP in advance through the CELL website. Admission is free and the public is invited.
For more information email Jody Dengler, call 410-543-6090 or visit the CELL website.