Oakland University’s Summer Carillon Concert Series returns July 5, 2024 – School of Music, Theatre & Dance – News – OU Magazine

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a relaxing evening listening to the sounds of the carillon’s 49 fully chromatic bells when the Six Fridays at 6 Summer Carillon Concert Series returns to the Oakland University campus beginning Friday, July 5.

The free concert series features six carillonneurs from around the world and takes place on six Fridays at 6 p.m. in front of Oakland University’s Elliott Tower. The tower features a fully chromatic carillon of 49 bells, the last carillon whose bells and keyboard were cast by the Royal Bell Foundry Petit & Fritsen in the Netherlands.

To be considered a “carillon,” the instrument must contain at least 23 cast bronze bells. Elliott Tower features a fully chromatic carillon of 49 bells, all made of bronze, capable of playing any musical composition, from arrangements of popular and classical music to original compositions created specifically for the carillon. The largest bell is a low C, weighs about 5,000 pounds, and is 5 feet in diameter, while the smallest bell is a high C, weighing just 24 pounds. The total weight of all the bells is more than 30,000 pounds — that’s over 15 tons.

“Listening to carillon music is a great way to enjoy a live performance outdoors while maintaining social distancing in a large, open area,” said Dennis Curry, OU’s resident carillon master. “Come early to enjoy the fountains on a hot summer evening. Bring a picnic and friends!”

Guest artists are recognized international carillon players who offer a wide range of music. Artists include:

• July 5 – Dennis Curry of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

• July 12 – Gijsbert Kok from The Hague, Netherlands

• July 19 – Deborah Hennig from Stratford, Ontario, Canada

• July 26 – Kayla Gunderson of Chicago, Illinois.

• August 2 – David R. Hunsberger from the University of California at Berkeley

• August 9 – Alan Bowman of Dayton, Ohio.

This year, the Six Fridays at 6 Summer Carillon Concert Series will take place concurrently with the 10th…^th Anniversary of the inauguration of the Elliott Tower.

Donated by longtime supporters Hugh and Nancy Elliott, Elliott Tower is a gathering place for student activities and a stunning visual focal point of the Oakland campus.

The domed limestone and brick tower rises 150 feet above Oakland University and features a water feature with programmable jets that can shoot water 60 feet into the air.

The Elliott Tower realizes Hugh and Nancy Elliott’s dream of a central place for students to meet, learn and relax on campus. The Elliott family’s deepest belief in philanthropy is reflected in a quote engraved on the tower’s bell: “The true worth of a person lies in what he does for others.”

This philosophy is evident at Oakland University through Hugh and Nancy’s generous support of academics, athletics, capital projects, scholarships and endowments. Nancy wanted to create a new OU tradition with the Tower, which was designed as a beacon welcoming everyone to campus, where students would say, “Let’s meet at the Tower!”

For more information, visit https://www.oakland.edu/elliott-tower.

For more information about the Six Fridays at 6 Summer Carillon Concert Series, contact Dennis Curry at (email protected).