On Friday, Oct. 11, Grand Valley State University rang in the 30th anniversary of the Allendale campus’ Cook Carillon Tower with a Taylor Swift-themed carillon concert.
Swift’s music was played from the clock tower’s bells by musician Jerry Jelsema. The Swift-themed concert was part of a performance series celebrating the 30th anniversary of the clock tower. GVSU University Development, Campus Activities Board (CAB), the Office of Student
Life, the Office of Student Support and Belonging and the University’s cheer team participated in holding the event.
Asides from the music, there were other Swiftie-themed attractions and activities at the event. There were free T-shirts, food trucks, friendship bracelet making and a make your own flower bouquet table. GVSU’s mascot, Louie the Laker, also made an appearance, taking pictures and offering fist bumps to students.
Megan Wierenga, the director of student affairs marketing at GVSU, said she enjoyed working on the event. Wierenga said the Swift-themed concert helped to bring awareness to the instrumental piece.
“Not many people realize that the carillon is an actual musical instrument at the top of the tower,” Wierenga said.
The Cook Carillon Tower was built in 1994, under former University President Arend Lubbers. According to Wierenga, installing the tower was part of Lubbers’ vision for the University.
“During an address to staff back in 1994, (Lubbers) said, ‘I see the tower and the bells as a symbol of community. The ringing of the bells calls us together in a community of peace and common cause,’” Wieranga said. “I wanted to help bring awareness to the carillon and celebrate this GVSU landmark.”
A carillonneur is the musician that rings a clock tower’s bells. Jelsema is a church musician, organist, choir master and carillonneur on the side. This is the second concert Jelsema has played for the University. Over Laker Family Weekend, he rang the bells of the clock tower.
Jelsema said he was inspired to become a carillonneur during his time at the University of Michigan. However, his dream had to be put on hold due to his busy schedule and coursework. He said he later got the opportunity to take lessons with Wiley Crawford, a carillonneur. This allowed Jelsema to chase his dream, 50 years later.
“When I graduated with my master’s, they were playing the carillon outside, and I thought, ‘Someday I want to do that,’” Jelsema said. “(Working with Crawford was) a dream finally come true.”
Jelsema said he enjoyed playing Swift’s music for the concert. Despite not being a frequent listener of her music, Jelsema said the more he played it, he began to really like it.
“I’d never really listened to (Taylor Swift’s) music because I am a classical musician, and I really don’t listen to pop,” Jelsema said. “She’s got a style, and so it’s kind of easy to translate from one piece to another. It’s been a good experience for me.”
According to Wierenga, the reason Swift was chosen as the performance’s theme was because of the musician’s “popularity and her diverse fanbase.”
“I wanted to create an event that would draw a crowd of all ages and provide the opportunity for them to experience the carillon in a fun and engaging way,” Wierenga said. “What better way to celebrate Grand Valley’s icon (the clock tower) than with a pop culture icon?”
GVSU student Sam Knight was excited for the concert’s theme. Knight said the concert was a unique way to relate GVSU’s history to students’ interests.
“It’s cool that the school is relating their history to current topics,” Knight said. “I probably would’ve attended still if there wasn’t the Taylor Swift theme, but I was even more excited since there was.”
Jelsema said he hopes the event helped students learn about carillonneurs and their work.
“When you hear real music (coming from the clock tower), someone’s actually in there playing it,” Jelsema said. “It’s a wonderful instrument, and if they (students) have a chance, they should try and go up to the tower (to) see how it works.”
