The carillon bells of the 150-foot Shafer Tower had student's heads toward the sky Tuesday evening as music performed by John Gouwens poured out over the campus.
Gouwens was appointed visiting lecturer of carillon at Ball State in 2002. He is also part of the faculty at The Culver Academies where he has taught organ, carillon and choir for 23 years. Since joining Ball State, Gouwens has performed numerous concerts and given lessons to students, as well as Muncie residents.
"I teach as an elementary school music teacher, and I just recently discovered the carillon. I started taking lessons right away," Ball State alumna Madeline Ayers said.
Forty-eight Paccard-Fondrerie de Cloches Foundry bells hang in Shafer Tower. Gouwens performs in a room located just below the bells with windows displaying Beneficence. Sitting at a keyboard with 48 keys, one for every bell, he must also control a set of foot peddles.
Gouwens said he is known for his improvisational skills, winning the first ever improvisation contest in 1983 of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. He has performed at numerous GCNA congresses, carillon festivals and at the World Carillon Federation.
Currently working on a book for beginning carillonneurs, Gouwens has contributed seven of his own compositions. His book is to be released sometime in June.
Raised in Ft. Wayne, Gouwens attended Indiana University in Bloomington, the University of Michigan, and the University of Kansas. Ball State is the only college where Gouwens performs. He hopes for carillon to become an option for music majors in the future. Currently students are able to practice on a keyboard set up like the carillon, but Gouwens notes that it is a lot different being in the tower. "Since you are playing for the whole neighborhood, everything you play has to be musical and not like an exercise," Gouwens said. "I hope that people who hear my music will become familiar with carillon music and come to find out more about it."
Gouwens said he hopes that through his music he can educate listeners and make outdoor chores more enjoyable.
"It definitely gets me in the mood to go to class," freshmen Angie Gorden said.
Although the crowd at Gouwens' recital was small his music reached every corner of campus.
"The music adds something to campus. I was riding my bike by Burkhart and could here it from there," Fifth-year student Rick Meyers said. "I had no idea that someone was actually up there playing."
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