Oakland University’s Summer Carillon Concert Series returns July 5

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to 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 on Friday, July 5.

The free concert series features six carillonneurs from around the world and will be held on six Fridays at 6 p.m. outside Oakland University’s Elliott Tower. The tower features a fully chromatic 49-bell carillon, which was the last carillon to have its bells and keyboard cast by the Petit and Fritsen Royal Bellfoundry in the Netherlands.

To be considered a “carillon,” the instrument must contain at least 23 cast bronze bells. Elliott Tower features a fully chromatic 49-bell carillon, each made of bronze and has the capability to play any musical compositions from arrangements of popular and classical music to original compositions created just for the carillon. The largest bell is a low C, weighing around 5,000 pounds and measuring 5 feet in diameter, while the smallest bell is a high C, weighing in at only 24 pounds. The total weight of all bells is more than 30,000 pounds — which totals over 15 tons.

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

Guest performers are recognized international carillonneurs who will provide a wide variety of music. Performers include:

• July 5 – Dennis Curry from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.

• July 12 – Gijsbert Kok from The Hague, The Netherlands

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

• July 26 – Kayla Gunderson from Chicago, Ill.

• August 2 – David R. Hunsberger from The University of California in Berkeley

• August 9 – Alan Bowman from Dayton, Ohio.

This year, the Six Fridays at 6 Summer Carillon Concert Series will coincide with the 10^th anniversary of the dedication of the Elliott Tower.

Donated by longtime supporters Hugh and Nancy Elliott, Elliott Tower is a rallying point for student activities and creates a stunning visual centerpiece for Oakland’s campus.

The limestone-and-brick arched Tower soars 151 feet above Oakland University and includes a water feature with programmable jets capable of sending water 60 feet upward.

The Elliott Tower realizes Hugh and Nancy Elliott’s dream for a central place where students can gather, study and relax on campus. The Elliott family’s deepest belief about philanthropy resounds from a quote engraved on the Tower’s bell: “The true net worth of a person is what he does for others.”

This philosophy is visible at Oakland University through Hugh and Nancy’s generous support of academics, athletics, capital projects, scholarships and endowments. Envisioned as a beacon welcoming all to campus, Nancy’s hope for the Tower was to create a new OU tradition with students saying, “Meet me 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].