Old Main, Jan. 27, 2012
Chimes 1
Brian Michaels of New Vibrations Audio and Video checks the newly installed carillon system for the Old Main bell tower. The new system is a digital recording of the original Old Main Bell that now sits on display adjacent to Old Main, combined with other bells of comparable sizes to get a full tonal range. The new system has been set up to play a wide range of sounds, from the roar of the Nittany Lion, to Penn State's Alma Mater, "Fight on State" and "Hail to the Lion," in addition to the familiar Westminster Quarter chimes.
Chimes 2
Now that the new carillon system is installed in the Old Main bell tower, the crew from New Vibrations Audio and Video works to remove the old speakers for the Old Main chimes from outside the tower. The new speakers, seen here, are located an the area above the lookout area of the bell tower that is open to the public a few times a year.
Chimes 3
Ben White of New Vibrations Audio and Video works on a ledge of the Old Main bell tower, to remove the speakers from the old chime system. The company installed a new carillon system today (Jan. 27) that will play a digital recording made of the original Old Main bell that now sits adjacent to Old Main and other bells of comparable sizes.
Chimes 4
Sparks fly as Ben White of New Vibrations Audio and Video removes a bracket that had been holding one of the speakers broadcasting the Old Main chimes. The speakers no longer are needed, as a new carillon system has been installed using other speakers mounted inside the top of the bell tower.
Chimes 5
With Nathan Crook of New Vibrations Audio and Video keeping tension on his tether, Ben White works on a ledge of the Old Main bell tower to remove speakers and their support brackets from the tower. The old speakers no longer are needed, as a new carillon system was installed today (Jan. 27).
Chimes 6
The new clock faces for the Old Main bell tower are loaded onto a truck at New Vibrations Audio and Video for delivery to Penn State's University Park campus this morning (Jan. 27). Workers from the company installed the new carillon system in the bell tower today, and will install the renovated clock faces, originally a gift of the Class of 1904, this weekend.
Chimes 7
Just after 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, a crane pulled into the Old Main parking lot on Penn State's University Park campus. The crane will be used to lift the restored clock faces into place.
