There Were Bells in the Hills….

For a few weeks, you might have noticed the carillon in Cole Hall were silent! That’s because the old system was broken. Not only did we not have the usual clock chimes noting the hour and half hour, but we were also missing the playing of our alma mater at noon!

Thanks to the great people in University Facilities and especially William Hausmann, Director of Facilities Security Operations and IT Security Systems, a new system was installed. It’s a bit different and so we needed some help adding a new rendition of the alma mater to its repertoire.

Cali School of Music to the rescue! Professor Aaron Helgeson (who teaches composition and music theory) and graduate assistant Kalden Alexander (MM ’23, Music Composition) who is a whiz with virtual instruments, made quick work of remedying the problem by creating a sound file for the new system. Plus, we have to remember to give a special shoutout to Gina Balestracci, Academic Administrator for the Cali School of Music who coordinated the effort!

Check out the new bells and alma mater on YouTube.

So, when you pass by Cole Hall at noon, listen to the 12 chimes followed by our alma mater…and maybe show your Red Hawk Pride and sing along:

Montclair State Alma Mater, by Evelyn Hock Walter ’25

Beneath the Jersey skies so blue, in Montclair’s mountain town, there stands our College, tried and true and growing in renown. / We love thy campus, love thy halls, and oft to thee we raise, with loyal lips and loyal hearts, united songs of praise.

All hail to thee Montclair, to thee our voices raise. / Alma mater, dear Montclair, our undying hymn of praise.

We love thy colors, dear Montclair, the scarlet and the white; may they forever help us dare to choose and do the right. / And tho’ in after years our fate may lead us far apart, nor time nor space may separate the ties that bind our heart.

All hail to thee Montclair, to thee our voices raise. /Alma mater, dear Montclair, our undying hymn of praise.