Meet One Student Behind the Bells of the Iconic University of Texas Tower

This University of Texas at Austin student went from the high school drumline to head carillonneur.

By Joy DiazMarch 2, 2017 8:45 am,

Drew Orland is the head carillonneur at the University of Texas at Austin. The organ-like instrument plays from the university’s iconic tower. The instrument has 56 bells that players hit with their fists and pedals they hit with their feet.

“When I started as a freshman, I was like this is the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” Orland says. “I’m one of six people that gets to play this instrument.”