Carillonneurs Congress will ring in week of summer events on the Hill
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas' historic Campanile will serve as the setting for a gathering of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America this summer, offering the community an opportunity to enjoy a series of free public carillon concerts.
The School of Music will host the Guild of Carillonneurs 82nd Annual Congress from June 10 to 14, drawing members and attendees from across the country.
The KU Campanile is a staple of the university and a familiar sound for students, alumni and Lawrence residents. During the conference, the public is invited to roll out picnic blankets and set up lawn chairs to listen to concerts throughout the week.
Events begin with a KU-hosted concert at 6 p.m. June 10, with additional events to be announced at the conference website.
Additionally, the school will offer workshops and recitals for GCNA attendees.
“We’re thrilled to welcome carillonists from around the world to KU as we kick off the 75th anniversary of the Campanile. It’s a real honor to host some of the finest performers in the field, who will fill our campus with music from the bells that have meant so much to this community for generations,” said Elizabeth Berghout, associate professor of church and organ music. “This will be the third time KU has hosted the GCNA congress — after 1956 and 1997 — and we’re excited to carry that tradition forward in 2025.”
About the Campanile
Designed by architect Homer Neville, a student in the 1920s, and Edward Delk, the Campanile was dedicated at Commencement on May 27, 1951. The bell tower is 120 feet high and built of Kansas limestone. The carillon, played by keyboard-operated hammers, has 53 bells cast by an English foundry established in the 1360s. The bells chime the quarter hours and hours; concerts are performed by the university carillonneur, students and guest artists. A major renovation of the bells, the Campanile and the grounds was completed in 1996.
What is a carillon?
A carillon is a concert instrument made of bronze bells that are played from a keyboard. The keyboard and bells are typically situated high up in bell towers, their sound soaring over the surrounding area. A carillon has at least 23 bells of different sizes that are tuned chromatically. The performer, called a carillonneur, plays a variety of music — popular hits, classical music, music composed especially for the carillon, folk songs and national anthems. With skillful control of the keys and pedals, the carillonneur can achieve evocative sounds and great expressiveness. Carillons developed through a series of advancements in timekeeping and bell-ringing over the last 500 years. Today, there are more than 675 carillons in over 30 countries. Nearly 200 of them are found throughout North America.
For more information, please contact eberghout@ku.edu.