The bells have grown silent: A restoration is underway atop Plummer Building

I always enjoy hearing the bells when I am in Rochester for my appointments. During my recovery period after my transplant surgery, I wanted to go outside and sit in the Annenberg Plaza to enjoy one of the noontime carrilon concerts. It was a cold and windy day. The sound of the bells was so loud that it seemed to shake the surrounding buildings. After seeing the size of the bells in these photos, I know why!
I once met couple who said that they were able to go up into the tower, and meet the carillonneur. I wonder if it was noisy up there.
I am looking forward to listening to them when I return in a few months. But I will sit at a more distant place.

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Thank you so much for the kind words! The best part of my job is getting to hear from the Mayo community that they appreciate the bells as much as I do--I chuckled when I read your observation about how loud the bells can be... That's especially true during the winter months. For whatever reason, the bells sound best when it's bitingly cold outside. It is very noisy up in the tower, but quite the scene to see the bells "at work" up close and personal. I can't wait 'til they're back.

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Thank you so much for the kind words! The best part of my job is getting to hear from the Mayo community that they appreciate the bells as much as I do--I chuckled when I read your observation about how loud the bells can be... That's especially true during the winter months. For whatever reason, the bells sound best when it's bitingly cold outside. It is very noisy up in the tower, but quite the scene to see the bells "at work" up close and personal. I can't wait 'til they're back.

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@carillonghorn Austin, you must fill out your profile bio that you are the Mayo Carillonneur. Not many people can say that! The bells stop me in my tracks every time they are played. I miss them.
How will you keep up your practising while the restoration is underway? What are you most looking forward to when you return to the newly restored carillon?

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Bio is now filled out—I thought I had done that already, whoops! 😉

They’ve been down since the last week of September, but luckily I’ve been able to keep my chops up on a practice instrument in my office. It’s like the real thing but with time bars instead of bells (think a xylophone).

I’m most looking forward to just getting to play every day again, ha! These are some beautiful bells—especially the older ones from England—and I miss hearing them. To my ears this is an exceptionally well-rounded carillon to listen to.

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