San Clemente : New Chimes Will Ring in Time for City Fiesta
The once-famous chimes of San Clemente will sound again. The City Council has given its approval to a plan for installing a set of chimes atop the San Clemente Hotel.
The chimes last rang in 1963, and the council’s unanimous approval of a new carillon means the twice-a-day concerts may begin again later this month.
An ad-hoc group of residents led a campaign to revive the chimes. It has raised more than $5,000 of the $7,700 installation cost.
The chimes will be installed by Maas-Rowe Carillons of Escondido, which has built systems for various churches, schools and cities, including Long Beach, Baldwin Park and Ventura.
Maas-Rowe president Paul Rowe said San Clemente’s chimes will consist of a time-controlled electronic console with four roof-top speakers to amplify the sound from wall-mounted chimes, which range from 2 to 3 feet in height. The chimes will sound at noon and 5 p.m., and the system also will play tape-recorded music.
Officials said they hope to have a dedication ceremony July 13, and that the chimes will be ready to ring during the city’s 32nd Fiesta la Christianita, July 19-21.
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