The University of Tampa’s new Susan and John Sykes Ars Sonora musical bell sculpture will be played in public for the first time on Saturday. UT’s Ars Sonora is the largest and most technologically advanced bell tower of its type in the world. The 105-foot-tall sculpture has 63 bronze bells. With 61 bells set up to play individual notes corresponding to keys on an electronic keyboard.
What is the Ars Sonora at UT?
The Ars Sonora is a musical sculpture soars over 105 feet in the center of campus. It is next to the Sykes Chapel. The sculpture forms a striking focal point as part of a park-like plaza for students to reflect, gather and interact. The landscaped plaza serves as a new venue for outdoor University events. And state-of-the-art lighting will light the area in the night as well as during the day.
The instrument has 63 hand-crafted bronze bells (which include two ornamental bells). The UT’s music program will feature the unique addition of The Ars Sonora is in outdoor concerts.
Related: Enjoy Music in the Museum At Henry B. Plant Museum
For centuries, specially trained “carillonneurs” have played bells with a cumbersome keyboard that has wooden levers. But the Ars Sonora–which loosely translates to “Art of Sound”–is a newer system to play bells. As the keyboard and digital connectivity allow the keyboardist to play the bells’ notes in what’s essentially real time.
The October 8 concert is for the University of Tampa community. The school will plan other concerts for the public for the coming months.
