Profile

Photo by Bruce Fox

NAME: Ray McLellan

OCCUPATION: Carillonneur and Lecturer, School of Music

At MSU, the bells toll for everyone É thanks to Ray McLellan, carillonneur and lecturer in the School of Music.

McLellan was appointed MSU carillonneur in 1997 and performs on the 49-bell Beaumont Tower carillon. He performs a half-hour concert on Tuesdays at noon and sets the programs for daily songs at 9 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. when "MSU Shadows" is played.

McLellan uses a computerized program that converts notes played on a keyboard to a system that signals the ringing of the bells.

In addition to his performances, McLellan teaches carillon performance.

"As long as you have an adequate piano background, you don't need to be a music student to study with me," says McLellan. "I have a student who is an associate general counsel here and another who is a professor of physics."

McLellan also offers a two-hour, non-credit Evening College course designed to teach the history of the carillon. The course includes a demonstration by McLellan and a chance to play a few notes at Beaumont Tower.

An important part of MSU and its history, the carillon has its share of devoted fans.

"We actually have carillon groupies," McLellan says.

– By Lisa Mulcrone