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Hopeman chimes and carillon papers

 Collection
Identifier: UA217

Biographical/Historical note

The Hopeman Memorial Chimes were presented to the University of Rochester in 1930 by Albert A. Hopeman, Bertram C. Hopeman, and J. Margaret Hopeman in memory of their father, the late Arendt Willem Hopeman. The seventeen bells were installed in the Rush Rhees Library tower by Meneely and Company of Watervliet, New York, with Harold Gleason of the Eastman School acting as music consultant.

The ringing of the chimes was an unpaid service provided by various members of the University community. In 1930, the year the River Campus opened for students, English professor John R. Slater was placed in charge of the chimes, which he rang regularly for the next twelve years. By the time he retired in 1942, Slater had composed several hundred pieces especially for the Hopeman Memorial Chimes.

Robert F. Metzdorf became assistant bellman in 1937 and was promoted to chief bellman in 1942. He was succeeded in 1949 by Arthur Frackenpohl. G. Marshall Abbey succeed him circa 1953. In May 1954 the Bellman's Society was organized to involve students in the ringing of the chimes. It consisted of a limited number of undergraduates selected through competition, with two senior bellman in charge. The Bellman's Society disbanded sometime in the mid-1980s.

Two additional bells, a middle F sharp and upper G, were made by the Dutch company Petit and Fritsen, Ltd. and added in 1956. All necessary expenses, along with a $10,000 maintenance endowment, were borne by the Hopeman Family in addition to their original gift. By 1973, however, an extensive study pf the proper care of the chimes determined that some were beyond repair or tuning. Repair costs were high enough to consider a replacement of the entire installation. Through Schulmerich Carillons, Inc. the University was put in touch with the Royal Eijsbouts Bellfoundry Ltd. of Asten, Holland, who conducted a thorough evaluation of the bells. It was their strong recommendation that a full carillon be installed to allow for a greater range of music.

The Hopeman Memorial Carillon was formally dedicated on December 9, 1973 with a concert on the Eastman Quadrangle. Its fifty bells cover four octaves and weigh a total of 6,668 pounds. Today, the Hopeman Memorial Carillon is one of only seven carillons in New York State. It is performed frequently throughout the year by Carillonist Doris Aman and her students. An electronic system is programmed to chime on the quarter hour.

Scope and Contents note

Box 1 of the Hopeman Chimes and Carillon Papers contains material from various bellfoundries related to the purchase of the original chimes from 1926 to 1929. Boxes 2 and 3 deal mostly with the purchase, installation, and dedication ceremony for the carillon, while boxes 4-8 include information on the Bellman Society, the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, and concerts, as well as objects, brochures, and audio recordings. Box 9 and Box 10 include ephemera and publications related to concerts performed on the Hopeman Memorial Carillon. Box 11 and Box 12 contain administrative material related to maintaining the carillon and planning concerts. The collection also contains oversize materials such as posters and signs.



Until February 2018, the title of this collection was Library: Hopeman Chimes and Carillon.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1926-2016

Language of Materials

English

Extent

3.78 cubic feet (12 boxes, 1 flat box, 2 flat files)

Restrictions on Access

For access to this collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu) at least two business days prior to your planned visit.

Please note: Some materials may be restricted or require permission for use.

Restrictions on Use

To request reproductions or permission to publish materials from the collection, please contact the University of Rochester Archives (archives@library.rochester.edu). Researchers may be responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Materials in boxes 2 and 3 were transferred in July 1986 by University Associate Treasurer Bruce D. Wolfanger. Materials in boxes 4-7 were transferred on July 29, 2011, by Doris Aman, with additions in April 2012 (materials in box 8) and September 2014 (materials in boxes 9-12).

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Hopeman Chimes and Carillon Papers, UA217, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Related Materials

The University Archives Museum Objects Collection contains a Bellman's Society slate (object #62) and a Bellman's Society decorative brass nameplate hanger (object #109).

Title
Hopeman chimes and carillon papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the University of Rochester Archives Library

Contact:
Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation
River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd.
Rochester New York 14627-0055 USA