Carillion

Carillon
Art Studies 2 THR-2
Sir Roberto G. Paulino

Report by:
Alvin Bacero Bello
Maria Cristy Borcelis Buban
John Martin Rabino Caquilala

PAGE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I. History

The University of the Philipines Memorial Campanille with its carillon of 46 perfectly tuned bronze bells was one of its kind in the far east and one around hundred in the world. It was the first carillon tower in the South East Asia and the first Carillon in a campus setting.

The plan of constructing the Carillon was envisioned in 1940 by Mr. Bienvenido Gonzalez, former UP president; Architect Juan G. Nakpil, a UP Alumnus; and Conservatory Music director, Mr. Ramon Tapales. Unfortunately, all the efforts towards its formation were paralyzed because of the World War II. However, after the country’s liberation, the plan was again brought forward at the time when the University was preparing to move from the bombed-campus in Padre Faura to the green hills of Diliman. The plan was re-envisioned at a meeting of the board of directors of the UP Alumni Association, on September 18, 1948.

The bells of the carillon were casted by the Van Bergen Bell, Chimes and Carillon Foundry, of Greenwood, South Carolina and were delivered and installed under the supervision of a Dutch Carilloneur, Prof. Adrian Antonisse, director of the Music-school of Netherlands. Professor Antonisse became the first Carilloneur of the state university. The installation started from June and the last bell was set place on July 11. The tower was constructed under the direction of Juan Nakpil, a UP Alumnus and 1973 National Artist for Architecture. This was accomplished soon after the University transferred most of the units from Manila to Diliman.

It was the alumni who decided to donate the carillon as their contribution to the new campus. But due to lack of funds, the UP Alumni Association decided to create a funding committee. The Funding Committed formulated a project involving a nationwide campaign to raise funds for the purchase of the bells and the construction of the tower. The committee sent an appeal to more than 17,000 alumni all over the country. Struck by this gesture, the UP Board of Reagents authorized an advance sum for its construction with the understanding that the alumni association will pay them back. President Elpidio Quirino was the first to respond to call giving an amount of Php 1000. Prof. Juan Nakpil, consulting architect of the University, donate an amount of Php. 5 000 in memory of Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin. Other early donors include Juan J. Carlos, practicing engineer of Manila who gave Php 500 and Capt. Alfredo G. de la Cruz of San Miguel Tarlac, Php. 10. Php. 90 000 was the target amount from all donors including the alumni, private individuals, fraternities and student councils making the project a labor of love. It was finally inaugurated by President Elpidio Quirino on August 1, 1952 in commemoration of the former President Manuel L. Quezon’z death. On August 3, 1952, Prof Antonisse was presented by the UP Conservatory of Music at a carillon concert. This was followed by a farewell concert on August 14 of the same year. College of Liberal Arts and the Conservatory of Music also sponsored two identical lectures on carillon bells and music by Prof Antonisse on July 24, week before the dedication of the UP Carillon. On the first Christmas Eve with the carillon installed, it was heard for two solid hours until midnight, ushering in the birth of our Lord. Likewise, it was hard on the early Easter morning proclaiming our Christ arisen.

II. Structure and Design

The University of the Philippines Memorial Campanile is a 130-foot structure with a carillon of 46 perfectly tuned bronze bells. The tower was built under the supervision of architect Juan Nakpil, a 1973 National Artist. The funds for its construction were provided by the UP Alumni Association and donors.

From the outside view, the tower is painted with cream and maroon. It has a very stable foundation and has a system of vertical lines topped with a small dome. A sight of an endless spiral staircase could be seen in the building’s interior.

The carillon bells were installed up in the tower with the supervision of Professor Adrian Antonisse Jr., a Dutch carilloneur and director of Veendammer Muziekschool of the Netherlands. Those bells were casted by Van Bergen Bell, Chimes and Carillon Foundry. Some of the bells were named after individual donors. The largest bell which weighs about five tons was embossed of the names of the officers and the members of the board of directors of the alumni association. The last bell was set place on July 11, 1952.

The bells were tuned to the intervals of the chromatic scale similar to a piano, and having a range of three octaves or more. The bell which has the lowest pitch can weigh many tons. The smaller the size of the bell means the higher the pitch. There are two methods of playing the carillon. A carilloneur may strike a keyboard called a “clavier” which is similar to that of an organ but the difference is that it uses wooden pegs. According to Prof. Antonisse, one to two years of devoted study is necessary to master the instrument which requires a great deal of muscular effort to play because the fists are used in striking the keys. Each key of the clavier is connected to the clapper of the corresponding bell by means of wires and cranks. Those clappers are sufficient to bring out the full volume of sound required for carillon playing. Pedals are also attached to the levers connected with the heavier bells so that these can be played by foot. The alternative way of playing is an automatic machine which plays the carillon at pre-set hours