The Carillon Bell Tower, which has been a BYU landmark for 50 years, recently gained an additional bell. It came as part of the school's sesquicentennial celebration.
Many people hear it ring every single day, but few know that it was installed with two bells missing. With one such bell added, observant listeners will now hear a difference in the music.
The tower's familiar melodies, such as the "Come, Come, Ye Saints" intro that plays on the hour, are synonymous with BYU.
"Whenever I visit campus and hear the bells play, it reminds me what it felt like to be on the BYU campus," Don Cook, former BYU professor, said.
Cook was the carillonneur for more than three decades, and many students have literally learned the ropes of the tower from him.
Carillon sheet music has always been altered to account for the missing bells. The new bell, a low B-flat, will make the music sound more true to its original composition.
The tower's carols represent a shared heritage of faith for all on campus.
"I really hope that when people hear 'Come Come Ye Saints' play, they’ll be reminded of our Heavenly Father’s presence in their life," Samuel Call, an organ performance major and carillonneur, said.
Live carillon recitals occur every weekday at noon. Community members are invited to come and enjoy the music.