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History of the CARILLON

         Associated Students of ASU purchased the 148-bell Symphonic Carillon in 1966 for $25,000, using funds accumulated through careful fiscal management of its student activity fees over the years.

         Then-President G. Homer Durham suggested the carillon purchase. 1966-67 ASASU President Robert McConnell, now a Washington, D.C., attorney, recalled that Durham "talked about the contribution the bells would make to the daily lives of students who would be able to count on the music to announce the hours of the day. He envisioned concerts that could be shared by students and faculty all across campus. He described how they would enrich special campus events."

         The carillon was installed in a glass studio in Matthews Center, so passers-by could watch the carilloneur as he performed, It was dedicated in January 1967 to ASU alumni who died in the service of their country in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

         Just a few years after it was installed, the carillon, still in prime condition, was removed from Matthews Center to accommodate remodeling for disabled-access. The carillon was placed in storage in the stacks of Matthews Center, where it has been ever since.

         Why was it put into storage? No one knows for sure, but we can only guess that no one was ever placed in charge of it.

         A carillon lover discovered the Symphonic Carillon in December 2002, and now the ASU community is working toward restoring the instrument to its rightful place.