Campus: IU Bloomington

Indiana University has been home to several remarkable instruments, but one of the most impressive and rarest was the 91-foot tall, 61-bell tower known as the Metz Carillon. The Metz Carillon was one of only 600 carillons worldwide. Built in 1970 and dedicated in 1971, the carillon was named after Dr. Arthur R. Metz, a successful physician and strong financial supporter of Indiana University.

Unfortunately, as impressive as the carillon was, its less-than-desirable location near 17th Street and the 45/46 Bypass made it difficult to give many concerts. It had also badly deteriorated due to the elements. In April 2017 it was announced that a project funded by the Metz Foundation would update, upgrade, and move the Metz Carillon to the IU Arboretum, where it could be played again. Four more bells were added, bringing the total to 65 bells and upgrading it to the status of grand carillon, of which there are fewer than 30 worldwide.

Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture and Design, in collaboration with Browning Day Mullins Dierdord created the design for the new instrument and IU renamed it the Arthur Metz Bicentennial Grand Carillon. Royal Eijsbouts Bellfoundry in the Netherlands, crafted the instrument’s new bells. The new bells feature quotes from four women; the 6th century B.C. Greek poet Sappho; the 12th century German Benedictine abbess, composer, and polymath Hildegard of Bingen; American poet Emily Dickinson; and the writer, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.

IU unveiled the new Arthur Metz Bicentennial Carillon on January 20, 2020, to mark the university’s 200th anniversary. During its unveiling, a carilloner played the Alma Mater and the bells were rung 200 times.