Campus carillonist Donna King rings students into post-grad life

The daily schedule of everyone on Lipscomb’s campus is guided by the bells of the Allen Tower. Each quarterly chime informs faculty, staff and students of the time of day. Although it is programmed to be this way, each time it rings is not always automatic. Dr. Donna King, Professor of Music, is the one behind the musical songs played on both random and special occasions.

“I’m not a virtuoso or a master carillonist, by any means, but I was able to learn enough to, you know, get me through graduations,” she said. “It’s become … a little fun, weird corner of my regular teaching job.”

“Carillonist”, also known as a carillonneur, is someone who plays the bells. 

King teaches and coordinates music theory classes in the school of music on campus. She also teaches music history and literature. 

Initially working part-time at Lipscomb, the sudden construction of the Allen Tower and its 35-bell carillon added this new occupation to her belt. However, the only prior experience she had was playing the piano, which she also has a master’s degree in. 

Despite both instruments sharing commonalities with the bells, it was still a learning curve. Fortunately, she was met with help. “I have a friend there [at Belmont] who plays the carillon.” She said, “I knew him then, as a teacher in the department, but they invited me to come over and use their practice keyboard because we didn’t have one at that point, and you had to learn how to do it somehow.”

Since then, King has been climbing the towers all these years to play various songs during ceremonies and events. She enjoys playing during winter graduations because she is able to play carols.  

Another thing King enjoys about tolling the bells is the anonymous aspect. “… You just play, and nobody’s looking at you[.] You’re not thinking about them and think ‘I’m going to mess up.’” she said. 

King is not the only one in charge of tolling the bell. Sometimes, students are behind the levers, tapping them and learning how to play songs. 

“… Students can typically learn to play something pretty quickly that sounds very nice,” she said. “… Last semester, … a student filled in [for] me for graduation, and he had so much fun.” 

King hopes to start a student program this year, where students are taught how to play the carillon. In order to schedule a tour and play, one simply has to email her and schedule an appointment.