Luce 3rd graders learn about the ‘Science of Sound’

On Wednesday, March 2, the third grade from the Dean S. Luce School took a field trip to the Norwood Town Hall, which houses a rare instrument called a carillon. A carillon is a series of bells that are housed in the tower of a large building. There are only 146 carillons in the United States.

The Norwood bells range in size from 4 tons to 11 pounds. These bronze bells are attached to cables that lead to one piano-like keyboard, which is played by the carillonneur. The Canton students got a chance to not only see the keyboard and the bells, but actually play them as well. The sounds of their experimental playing were heard throughout downtown Norwood.

The Canton third graders attended this field trip because of their shared science and music class unit, the “Science of Sound.” Seeing a carillon was a larger-than-life example of sound and how it is created.

Netherlands Carillon near the USMC Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, VA Copyright stockphotoshowcase.com

During the trip, one student proclaimed, “Whoa! Those are really cool bells!” Many of the students counted stairs as they ascended, eventually coming up with a total of 107 stairs. After the trip, students were all buzzing with excitement, having seen such an unusual and interesting sight. Most people go their entire lives without seeing a carillon. These third graders from Canton actually played one!

Mr. Daniel Kehoe, a well-known carillonneur from Suffield, Connecticut, donated his time to play a concert and do workshops with the kids. A special thanks to Dan Kehoe and Lee Leach from the town hall for their help with this endeavor.

The next time you’re driving through Norwood Center, roll down your window and listen for the carillon!

Submitted by Sarah Collmer, CPS K-12 performing arts coordinator

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Mar 17 2011. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.