Joyful Noise Outdoor Instruments

Yantzee - Unity Park

Yantzee - Unity Park - Sunset

The Joyful Noise Outdoor Instruments are large musical instruments located in unexpected places throughout the city. 

Each has a unique sound and is available every day of the year for passers by to make music.

These instruments add to the unique nature of our city, and compliment a music program in our schools which is known state-wide for its quality and vitality.

​Contrabass

 

- Kiwanis-Teledyne Park


Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of La Porte. Stunning in both their towering appearance and low resonant sound, these seven chimes are pitched one octave below middle C.

Yantzee - Unity Park


Sponsored by the Rotary Club of La Porte. The Yantzee is a foundational piece for any instrument grouping; the low notes create a rich canvas of sound.

Imbarimba - Fox Park


Sponsored by the American Licorice Company. The Imbarimba combines elements of two African instruments, the Marimba and the Kalimba, for a unique musical sound.

The Swirl - Plaza 618


Sponsored by the La Porte Urban Enterprise Association. These chimes range from Soprano to Alto with notes in the key of C on one side and the key of A minor on the other. 

Manta Ray - Civic Auditorium


Sponsored by the Quick Impact Placebased Grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD). This instrument really has a magical sound. The chimes on the two sides are repeated and it has four mallets, making it a great instument for two people to play together.



Contrabass Chimes - Kiwanis Teledyne Park

Contrabass - Kiwanis Teledyne

Imbarimba - Fox Park

Imbarimba - Fox Park

The Swirl - Plaza 618

The Swirl - Plaza 618
The Project
 Dedicated late in 2017, the Joyful Noise Outdoor Instruments came about through the cooperative efforts of a group of supporters led by City Council Member Laura Cutler and the City Director of Community Development and Planning, Beth Shrader. They give credit to Mayors Blair Milo and Mark Krentz, Leigh and Marcia Morris, the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, Mitch Feikes, Feikes Builders Inc., Mark Schreiber, the Park Board and the La Porte City Park Foundation.

Manta Ray - Civic Auditorium

Manta Ray - Civic Auditorium

Babel Drum - City Hall

This newest drum was dedicated November 2, 2018, in honor of the late Teresa Ludlow, who was Clerk-Treasurer for the City of La Porte for 20 years. Teresa marched to the beat of her own drum. The small Babel Drum is tuned to a C major pentatonic scale, producing a pure tone that is warm and has plenty of clarity to it. This version has six beautiful notes and is very easy to play, requiring only your hands to create a variety of different tones.

Teresa Ludlow

Teresa L. Ludlow

Babel Drum - City Hall

Babel Drum - City Hall