The 49 bells are in place at Oakland University’s Elliott Tower, which will be officially dedicated at 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, as a part of OU’s inaugural fall homecoming celebration. To mark the occasion, Provost James Lentini has written a musical composition, to be performed on the carillon, that pays tribute to the University’s history and mission, along with honoring the benefactors whose generous donation made the tower possible.
“It is customary to celebrate the opening of a new carillon tower with the premiere of a composition written expressly for the occasion,” said Dr. Lentini, who, in addition to his academic career, is an acclaimed composer and musician. “I’m honored to have composed a new piece for the instrument and the event.”
The composition is titled “Ulysses’ Sail,” a reference to OU’s sail logo, which traces its roots to the University’s early years in the 1960s. OU’s sail is a stylized version of the sail from the ship of Greek hero Ulysses and suggests a voyage in pursuit of knowledge. Oakland’s motto, “Seguir virtute e canoscenza,” is taken from Dante’s epic poem in which Ulysses tells his men to “seek virtue and knowledge.”
The 151-foot Elliott tower was funded by a $6.5 million donation from longtime University benefactors Hugh and Nancy Elliott. Dr. Lentini’s composition features a theme comprised of musical pitches representing the letters of the couple’s last name.
“The composition begins in a celebratory style, leading to a middle section featuring the "Elliott" theme, which is reflective in nature, and then returns to the celebration theme for the ending,” Dr. Lentini explained.
Roughly five minutes in length, the composition was written specifically for the technical capabilities of the carillon. Dennis Curry, the University’s carilloneur and longtime friend of the Elliotts, will perform the piece at the dedication ceremony.
A reception will take place immediately following the dedication. To register, go to oakland.edu/tower-rsvp.
Learn more about the Elliott Tower at oakland.edu/elliott-tower.