 |
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| The Carillon Restoration
Project Committee has been having discussions with bell & foundry
experts, architects and engineers, UP administration officials,
musical artists and other knowledgeable people on the scope and
depth of the restoration needed to bring back the Carillon Tower
to life in mid-2008, in time for the University’s Centennial
Celebrations. Among the proposals and suggestions which have emerged
are the following: |
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| Bells
restoration |
|
These include
dismantling and reassembly of the 46 bells, repair of deformities,
sand blasting, refinishing, cleaning and polishing. In some cases,
as in the smaller bells where restoration could no longer be made,
they would have to be replaced. |
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| Bells
tuning |
|
Since the
bells are out-of–tune, it is critical that each and every
one of them be properly tuned, as much as possible, to concert
standards. Tuning carillon bells is a somewhat complex process
but with the aid of modern precision instruments such as tone generators
and electronic tuners, this is facilitated. |
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| Parts
replacement |
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There are
other important items to be replaced such as the clappers that
strike the bells, the cables and steel wires that connect them
to the clavier, turnbuckle nuts and bolts, spindle springs and
other miscellaneous items. |
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| Steel
frames |
Technical
evaluation is being made either to replace or to refurbish the
steel frames where the bells are suspended.
|
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| Clavier |
|
Since the
old clavier keyboard instrument is no longer operational, it will
be replaced with a new one, made of oak wood, silent, and designed
for heavy-duty performances. |
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| Computerized
operation |
In addition
to manual playing of the Clavier, it will be hooked-up to a master
clock, a synthesizer and a computer that would enable it to play
the bells automatically, at certain times of the day.
|
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| Tower
structure |
| Being well-built,
the building structure will only need to be cleaned-up, minor repair
work to be done, and repainting of both inside and outside walls. |
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| Landscaping |
|
The surrounding
areas outside the Carillon Tower will be cleaned, grass and flowering
plants will be planted, and proper landscaping will be put in place. |
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| Carillon
Plaza |
|
In addition,
a proposal has been made to make the outer surrounding areas encircling
the Carillon Tower in the formation of a flat amphitheatre where
concerts and musical performances could be held. Called the Carillon
Plaza, the proposal includes laying the ground with bricks, stones
and tiles lined-up with brass plates where names of donors to the
Carillon Restoration Project would be engraved. |
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| Operation & Maintenance |
| After its
restoration, it is essential that the Carillon Tower be properly
operated and maintained. Thus, the UPAA and the U.P. Administration
will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to ensure that
these are done, in a timely manner, on a long term basis. |
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| Scholarships |
| The breed
of
carillonneurs in the Philippines is in fast decline. In order
to arrest this, a scholarship program will be establish to support
the studies and training of promising would-be
carillonneurs in the
University of the Philippines and in other specialized institutions
abroad. |
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| The approval and implementation
of all the above proposals and recommendations would depend on
the amount of resources to be generated and mobilized by the UPAA
Carillon Restoration Project. Based on initial estimates, a total
of PHP 20 Million would be required. Your
donations and contributions will surely go a long way towards
meeting this requirement |
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