Michael Luchtan and Jamar Woods standing next to the Deagan chimes, photo courtesy of the City of Asheville

City of Asheville at Work to Make Deagan Chimes Play Again

Local Musicians Explore the Possibilities of 92-Year-Old Instrument

June 11, 2024 | Asheville’s City Hall – with its unique shape and colorful Art Deco topper – claims a recognizable spot in the city’s skyline. Perhaps lesser known is the historical musical instrument it houses: a set of Deagan chimes installed in 1932. The City of Asheville recently took steps to explore what it would take to bring this once well-known sound of the city back to life.

The Deagan chimes get their name from their creator: John Calhoun Deagan, a classically trained clarinetist whose “dissatisfaction with the intonation of the glockenspiels” led him to more percussive pursuits. (In fact, his dinner chime device was thought to be the origin of the instantly recognizable three-note signature of NBC!) He moved from dinner bells to tower bells soon enough, though. Between 1920 – 1940 his company, J.C. Deagan, Inc. installed an estimated 400 units of his innovative tubular bells in carillon towers around the country. This includes Asheville’s 10-note set in 1932.

The chimes were purchased for $5,000 by school children who “pooled their pennies” for the instrument as a tribute to Buncombe County residents lost during World War I. Played regularly until the 1960s – both by live players via keyboard and through perforated rolls designed for the instrument – the chimes were revitalized in 1997 in celebration of Asheville’s 200th anniversary.

An article from the Citizen Times printed the bicentennial program, and shared, “Asheville’s 200th birthday this year gets a special present with the return of the 10-note chimes that from 1932 to the mid-1960s played over downtown.” By some accounts the chimes also sounded from 1997 through around 2008-10. Then, a second Citizen Times article from 2016 covered their history and shared that they were operational once more. At the time, they were programmed to play at noon daily, alternating between “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and “God Bless America.” Indeed, there are only two known original paper rolled sheet music tubes remaining for the chimes.

By all accounts, this storied instrument’s rich history has had years-long stretches without music. A team within the City of Asheville is working to change that. Karli Stephenson, Urban Designer and Public Art Program Manager, said composer Michael Luchtan reached out this spring and asked what it would take to get the chimes playing regularly.

Luchtan is a natural fit for the project; a composer who works with public bell instruments, has played Asheville’s Deagan chimes, and composed music for chimes in cities around the world. Stephenson shared, “[Luchtan] is passionate about the history of Asheville’s chimes and sent along research he compiled over the years. He offered his time and expertise to test the chimes, keyboard, and auto player’s functionality; to train community members to operate and play the various elements; and to compose music for an old-fashioned perforated roll for use on the automated player.”

Even with a dream team, however, restoring a 92-year-old instrument poses challenges. Walter Ear, Public Facilities Division Manager for the City of Asheville, shed some light on the current condition of the chimes. They “are operational, but can only be played manually with a keyboard. There is a player that uses a paper roll of music, which can be started manually, but the wall clock that automates the player is not fully operational,” he said. “As a result, we cannot automatically play the chimes on a predetermined schedule.” The chimes will need regular maintenance to play consistently, too. Ear shared, “The chimes use 1920s technology whose manufacturer assumed that its owners would oil bearings, grease guides, and generally maintain the numerous moving parts.”

The project also poses complications from a policy and legal standpoint. Since the chimes play from City Hall, the music they play is considered government speech or that they’ve contracted with an artist to speak on behalf of the city. Stephenson shared, “A policy outlining the process would need to be developed by staff, approved by the legal team, and by City Council. [The policy] will include background, purpose, and the process for who plays what and when.” While the governmental nature of the building might slow down progress, rules around chime usage are necessary. Plans for regular maintenance and how that will be prioritized amongst the City’s other maintenance needs will be key to keeping them playing longer term.

Plus, the City already has a great start. Musicians – including Luchtan, Andrew Fletcher, and Jamar Woods – are playing a key part in the efforts, exercising chimes, troubleshooting mechanics, and learning to craft sheet music rolls compatible with the chimes. “In the work of learning to craft sheet music rolls for the player, Michael Luchtan and Andrew Fletcher adapted modern tools and materials to this effort,” Ear shared.

He explained that their attempts were both an exercise in learning the physical mechanics of the player and how the rolled composition would work musically in that equipment. “They took copious measurements, laid out the sheet graphically in Adobe Illustrator. They used a craft store hole puncher to make the feeder holes on the sides. For the notes they used an x-acto knife in their home workshop.” It’s this blend of new and old technology – and the love of art – that many hope will propel this project forward through mechanical and administrative challenges.

Right now, the City’s Instagram post asks for patience as they work to craft thoughtful policy for the Deagan chimes. And Stephenson remains optimistic about the possibilities to come. “I think there is an appetite and interest for original music to be played on the chimes. Making an old system relevant and accessible to a younger generation of musicians is really exciting and opens up the potential for some cool collaborations with other events and artists,” she shared. “To have operable Deagan chimes in a City facility is unique and rare. It seems like a waste for them to be operable in a city known for its artists and musicians and to have them remain silent.”