In keeping with Tim's earlier post, here's a Florence, SC TV report:
And I almost fell out of the chair when I saw the headline below in the Darlington newspaper, but the topic was not what I hoped:
A joyful noise returns to Darlington
Posted on August 30, 2011
By Samantha Lyles
Staff Writer
slyles@newsandpressonline.com
If youve been out and about in downtown Darlington in recent weeks when the clock strikes noon or 6 p.m., youve probably noticed a sound of bells, snippets of hymns and spirituals floating on the summer air. This twice-daily chiming emanates from the Pearl Street bell tower of Trinity United Methodist Church but there are no actual bells, per se. In fact, the beautiful and realistic peals originate from a rather unassuming black metal cube in the church vestibule.
Its a digital carillon system, explains Trinitys organist and choirmaster Dr. Keith Taylor. Youve got a large selection of hymns, patriotic songs, funeral tolls, peals for weddings, a call to worship, Christmas carols, or you can do it yourself with a keyboard.
The Apollo Digital Bell System is a digital jukebox of sorts, programmed with countless recordings of carillon bells, tunes suitable to all occasions. It also allows for MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) input from Taylors keyboard, so the system could project any number of spontaneously played songs or sound effects. Currently, the carillon is programmed for a regular schedule of Sunday calls to worship and twice daily peals.
Right now, it rings at 12 and six. It plays the Westminster Chorus, then it strikes the hour, and then it plays two hymns, says Taylor.
The system was donated by an anonymous family from the Trinity United Methodist congregation in honor of Dr. Taylors golden anniversary; hes been a music minister for 50 years. Taylor says he was honored and thrilled by the generous donation, and says the Trinity family is very supportive of music programs.
Taylor says the church auxiliary has investigated other carillon systems over the years, including some that merely played compact discs, but the Apollo system is much more flexible and the sound is very realistic. Trinity evidently had a bell-sounding or music projection system in the past, though no one who currently works there can recall one being in use. Taylor says that when audio system installers climbed into the belfry this summer, they found two dilapidated speaker cabinets all that remained of the churchs previous sound system.
They were so old, when they touched them, they literally crumbled, says Taylor. He notes that the carillon can be heard clearly to the north and west of the tower, and the resonance is much better than anticipated. That tower was not designed for sound because it has such small louvered windows. We were surprised were getting so much sound out of it.
Taylor says another visit from their audio technician is in order so the bells can project better to the south and east, especially toward the Public Square.
A statement from Trinity United Methodist explained the bells as a reminder of our great heritage and an inspiration of even greater things to come. When you hear the bells pealing out their message of praise and worship, say a prayer of thanksgiving to our God!
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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM