ANN ARBOR–From Richard Strauss’ “Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare” through the world premiere of Chip Davis’ “True Blue,” and Mussorgsky’s “The Great Gate of Kiev,” the dedication of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Tower on the University of Michigan’s North Campus will be a sight and sound extravaganza.

The ceremonies begin at 9 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 17) with an address by U-M Interim President Homer A. Neal. The multi-media presentation will feature the lighted Tower with fireworks, a laser light show, and video projections. Music will be provided by the U-M Symphony Band’s brass section, conducted by H. Robert Reynolds, and University Carillonist Margo Halsted and Ray McLellan, U-M’s assistant carillonist.

Carillon selections will include van den Gheyn’s “Prelude V,” Roy Hamlin Johnson’s “Summer Fanfares,” an arrangement of Pachelbel’s “Canon,” the first performance of a movement from William Albright’s “Suite for Carillon,” titled “Bells in the Air,” and Mussorgsky’s “The Great Gate of Kiev,” from “Pictures at an Exhibition,” which will be performed along with the U-M Symphony Band’s brass section. A premiere performance of Chip Davis’s “True Blue” will feature the carillon duo and the MIDI aspects of the carillon.

Chip Davis, a 1969 U-M music education graduate and the founder of Mannheim Steamroller, was commissioned by the children of Ann and Robert H. Lurie to compose a piece for this occasion. “Up until this point in the program,” says Halsted, “the carillon has been played in the traditional manner with the clappers inside the bells being moved to sound the pitches. In the middle of this piece, the automatic part of the carillon, the MIDI, using hammers on the outside of some of the bells, will also join in with a jaunty repeated melody. You may recognize some of the musical quotations Mr. Davis has borrowed from well-known classical works, as well as a famous Michigan song.”

Roy Hamlin Johnson, an influential modern-era American composer for the carillon, retired as professor of piano from the University of Maryland. The Albright composition was commissioned by Peter M. and Paulett Banks. Peter Banks is a former dean of the U-M College of Engineering. Albright, is chair of the composition department in U-M’s School of Music and a well-known piano and organ performer. The public is invited to bring chairs and/or blankets, to sit back, relax, and enjoy the spectacle. Admission is free.

University of Michigan