Like most performing artists, Music Professor David Neiweem admits to some anxious moments on stage. Understandable for one who has conducted numerous choral groups and sung as a baritone in the United States and Europe. Understandable when performing Beethovens Ninth or Berliozs
L enfance du Christ. But when plunking out Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits on a keyboard?
A little perspective: As Neiweem played those seven notes recently, they were being broadcast across the campus from a tower 168 feet in the air and that could make anyone choke up a bit. In that mini performance, Neiweem was running a test on his newest instrument the Ira Allen Memorial Carillon.
Every time you put your finger on a key there could be an irate telephone call to the university, he says, not totally in jest. It would be a powerful weapon in the wrong hands.
Neiweem, in his new role as the University Carillonneur, succeeds emeriti professors of music James Chapman and Francis Weinrich. He brings a sense of commitment, art and fun to his duties playing what he calls the loudest single musical instrument in the city of Burlington. But, he also is mindful that the carillon is a memorial to UVM students who died during their time on campus. He says, I cant think of a better way to remember the many souls who have been a part of this university than to send this incredible sound from the highest spot in town.
Neiweem developed his carillon chops at the University of Wisconsin, where he completed his graduate work in the late 1970s. Playing the 56 bells in the Memorial Carillon Tower in Madison, Neiweem learned the incredible choreography involved in manipulating the wooden batons and pedals of an acoustic carillon.
On the Ira Allen Memorial Carillon, the musician creates a tone by striking a key on a two-tiered keyboard located in the chapels choir loft. Striking the key rings a tuning rod, which creates an acoustic tone that is amplified through the loudspeakers in the chapels belfry. There are 40 pitched tuning rods, covering nearly four full octaves, on UVMs carillon.
Neiweem says he strives to create the sound of a carillon of cast bells through his playing technique. I keep in mind the reality of pulling levers, ringing bells, the huge machine that an acoustic carillon is, Neiweem says. You cant play it completely evenly.
Is it Dave or is it Memorex?
Dont expect that youre hearing Neiweem every time a melody pours down from the tower. Usually, you arent. The University Carillonneur performs at convocation, commencement and other special ceremonies, such as the Sept. 11 observance this month. Most days, the carillon is on auto pilot, tolling the hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and playing a randomly selected set of music from its library. Billings building manager Jenifer Purvee oversees the daily routine. (Editors note: Yes, we agree the number for Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head seems to come up a bit too often.)
Neiweem hopes to record his own keyboard work for the chapels pre-programmed selections and begin a regular series of concerts at noon on the first Tuesday of each month.
Neiweem says hell take requests, would love to have them, in fact. Though he apologizes that his pop and rock repertory is not terribly deep, he is open-minded. He likes, for example, the musical pun potential in playing Paul McCartneys Michelle (ma belle) and has been trying to work out the filigrees on the Simpsons theme.
Whether your tastes run to Coplands Appalachian Spring or the Commodores Brickhouse, let Carillonneur Neiweem know what youd like to hear. E-mail us at theview@uvm.edu (or just hit "Feedback" in the left column to tell us your suggestions) and well pass them on.
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