Augusta Read Thomas, University Professor of Composition in the Department of Music, with music on a Grammy-winning recording, world-renowned composer, and director and founder of the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition, joined the UChicago faculty in 2010. Two of her works—a new composition that shares its title with the University’s motto, “Crescat scientia; vita excolatur,” along with an older piece titled “MANSUETO TRIBUTE: Double Helix”—will be played via carillon and violin, respectively, at the Oct. 29, 2021, inauguration of Paul Alivisatos as the 14th president of the University of Chicago.

Thomas wanted “Crescat scientia; vita excolatur” to sound optimistic, joyful, and majestic. The piece’s resounding final chord will also mark the first time all 72 bells of the carillon will be rung at the same time.

“It’s sort of a crazy idea to ring every bell at once. Normally, you’d have a three-note chord, or a four-note arpeggio or a six-note run,” Thomas told UChicago News. “So it’s just extreme … but I love the sonic image of it.”

Read more about Thomas in her Division of the Humanities bio or read this 2019 feature, “Mixing beatboxing with opera, acclaimed composer redefines genre,” from UChicago News.