The Muelder Summer Concert Series attracts music lovers to the Beaumont Tower on the campus of Michigan State University to hear artists from around the world perform on the tower’s carillon.
The concert series closes out its 13th summer schedule at 6 p.m. July 29, with Ray McLellan, the university carillonneur, giving the final performance of the season.
McLellan was studying for his doctoral degree in organ at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor when he first became interested in the carillon. Today, as a member of the College of Music’s piano faculty, he offers individual lessons for the instrument.
“Instead of using your fingers to play like a piano, you’re using your fists like that and also your feet, so the feet play as well,” said McLellan, who has been the university carillonneur since 1997. “You have to be able to play piano music and be able to read music for keyboard before you start to play the carillon.”
The carillon comprises 49 bells, the largest weighing 2 ½ tons while the smallest weighs 15 pounds. The university’s carillon is one of 13 in Michigan.
The Summer Carillon Series was established in 1996 through the generosity of Milton Muelder, now retired from his career at MSU of more than 40 years.
The MSU Beaumont Tower is located in the West Circle Drive oval area.
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