The bell weighed 50 pounds. Julia Walton , who plays MSU's carillon, said it is great to work with Westcott. He's so pleased the carillon is back, because it was unplayable for at least 10 years since he retired. We enjoy having him, we can really learn from him. While MSU renovated the carillon and tower in 1996, current MSU carillonneur Ray McLellan said the tower has withstood the test of time as a campus landmark.
People have a reverence for it.
This is such a great setting. Not many places have this setting, with the trees and the nice open space. There are only about 160 carillons in North America. McLellan has taught the carillon at MSU since August 1997. He said there is a big difference between teaching students to play the carillon and similarly designed instruments such as the piano or organ.