Listen up music lovers.

The bells of the Campanile will be blaring songs every Wednesday until June 13th as a part of the Summer Carillon Concert Series. The first concert was held last night and featured Lyle Anderson, a carillonneur from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

“Madison and Ames have a special connection,” Anderson says.

That “special connection” is Ira Schroeder.

Schroeder was a long time Iowa State University carillonneur and also was active in carilloning at Madison. Anderson will be playing one of the songs arranged by Schroeder called “March of the Men of Harlech (Welch Air).”

Anderson’s song selection includes oldtime favorites like “The Bells of Riverside” and “Lake Music.”

“The philosophy of a lot of carillonneurs is to play songs that sound familiar,” Anderson says .

Carillonneurs featured in the summer series will be playing everything from eighteen variations on “Chopsticks” to the love theme from “Godfather.”

A carillon is a musical instrument which is composed of at least 23 bells. It is played by stricking keys on a keyboard with a half-closed hand. The larger bells are played by the carillonneaurs feet using foot pedals, according to Iowa State’s carillon website.

“Anyone can bring a blanket or lawn chair and sit in front of the Campanile,” says University Carillonneur, Dr. Tin-shi Tam, assistant professor of music.

Concertgoers can also get a first hand view of the carillonneurs at work because a TV monitor will show them playing, according to Tam.

All concerts are free and will be held rain or shine. Campanile tours will also be available after each performance.

For more information visit www.music.iastate.edu/carillon. or call 294-2911.