Memorials. Memorials contrasted with exuberant students.
Further to the photo of the carillon several days ago is the grand sandstone tower in which is installed the University of Sydney War Memorial Carillon.
The bells were cast and installed by John Taylor & Co of Leicestershire and after various modifications over time the carillon now has 54 bells with a range of four and a half octaves and is fully chromatic.
The lowest note (the bourdon) is the G on the bottom line in the bass stave; it weighs over 4 tonnes. The overtones include the minor third that gives the bell its characteristic mournful sound.
Recitals include a free session every Sunday afternoon at 2pm. (this information is from the Recital Booklet)
The dulcet tones of the bells were unobtrusive and filled the afternoon air with melody quite free of electronic overkill and I believe, the minor overtones, did create an unexpected effect.


In the vicinity is the Nicholson Museum where another memorial is found from ancient Rome with Greek inscription as below:
....For Felix The sweetest child His nurse (made this) as a memorial.

We all grieved for some little children from our part of the world this past week.

Round as a photo theme.
Large bell in a carillon.
The keyboard is downstairs and wires run up to the tower to link the keys with the mechanisms that strike the bells.

Heroic styled art. An extract for study purposes.

The narrative is in the windows of old, long before the arrival of the printing press.
The Monarchy as seen in technicolour transparency and The Divine Right of Kings - All Saints?

Harry Potter imagery. Latin. Magicus. Monsters......as well as a....
Magic staircase..........and........
Seeking out the Philosopher's Stone.
Gothic fantasy at Sydney University.

A school with a difference. Did Harry Potter have a role in the rise in non-government education and the privatisation of schools hereabouts?
The existing schools lose their wide diversity including mix of ability when students are sent away to a private school often in another suburb and the local community is diminished.
Children from a non-English speaking background remain together in a school in some degree of isolation. All of which is nothing new to the experts but is new to me.
While Church and state are separate, if the government schools could include a totally meaningful component of religious study then church schools would become unnecessary and all kids could enjoy a state school education that is non-divisive and is a microcosm of society.
New computers etc all round are fine but loads of support staff and basics and facilities are very important in government schools particularly when they have to take up the slack. It is difficult for them to be compared with the fresh brand-new schools of the private sector.
However, many would say it is too late for all this and status, fashion and high achievement at any cost are held dear by parents.

Anyway, on another point, be thankful that the Harry Potter movies are not Hollywood productions.