As the 150th anniversaries of the end of the American Civil War and the
Memorial Chapel
assassination of President Abraham Lincoln draw to a close, we should all remember the tragic loss of life and remarkable sacrifices that were made by men, women and children. Modern estimates range the total number of deaths from 620,000 to over 700,000. On April 15, we will pay homage to one of the nation’s greatest leaders and the millions of Americans affected by the war by ringing our campus bells. These bells shall ring for “all that gave some, and the some that gave all.”
Memorial Chapel’s chimes will ring on Wednesday, April 15, at 8 a.m. in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the death of President Abraham Lincoln. (He died at 7:22 a.m., but most of the nation will ring bells at 8:00 a.m. at the earliest.) Max Caplan ’16 will play melodies particularly associated with the Civil War. The tunes will include “Aura Lee,” “The Vacant Chair,” “Just before the Battle, Mother,” and “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” Max researched melodies that would fit within the range of the bells in the chapel’s tower. For those unlikely to be standing outside of Memorial Chapel so early, Max will repeat the performance of the Civil War tunes at 1 p.m., along with other melodies.
Stephen C. Ainlay, President
Max Caplan ’16
Andrew Cassarino ’18
Dianne McMullen, professor of music and college organist
Caitlin Visscher, executive assistant to the president