Our carillon program is led by University Carillonist Joey Brink. You can hear Joey play weekdays during academic quarters, Monday-Friday from 11:45am to 12:15pm.
About the Carillon
The Williams Carillon was cast by the Royal Eijsbouts Bell Foundry at Asten, The Netherlands and was dedicated on the University of Denver campus on October 24, 1999. With 65 bells, it is one of the largest carillons in North America.
The Summer Carillon Recital Series invites renowned carillonneurs from across the nation to perform on The Williams Carillon. A highlight of the holiday season on campus is the annual Holiday Carillon Recital presented the afternoon of the second Sunday in December.
Submit a song request for Joey to play on the bells! He performs weekdays 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and presents a variety of music including classical, contemporary, popular, jazz, film, and more. Though he won't be able to honor all requests, he strives to take as many requests as he can. If he's playing your song, he'll send you an email.
Come climb the tower and see the bells! Join Joey for one of his daily recitals, most weekdays at 11:30 a.m. during Academic quarters. The climb includes 95 steps up a spiral staircase, and offers wonderful views of campus, the city of Denver, and the Front Range.
Tours must be scheduled in advance by contacting Joey at joey.brink@du.edu. Tours are capped at 10 people, and will meet at 11:30 a.m. outside the Ritchie Center, up the first flight of stairs, just below the tower.
Want to play the bells? Joey teaches a 2-credit course in carillon performance, open to students of all majors and degree programs. No carillon experience is required, but students should be able to read music (treble and bass clefs) and have some basic familiarity with a keyboard layout. The class is listed as MUPR-3900-1 and is offered every quarter to beginning and returning students. Contact Joey at joey.brink@du.edu if interested.
Applicants may choose to either audition in person in Denver OR submit a recorded video audition and complete a Zoom interview.
Applications received after January 15 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You may indicate your preference for a live or virtual audition on the Lamont application. Click here to view the current year’s audition/interview dates and the full steps for how to apply.
Live Audition
All auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. The applicant will choose one of their prepared works to perform. The faculty will choose the second of the prepared works and possibly an additional work as well.
Recorded Video Audition & Zoom Interview
Applicants unable to travel to Denver for a live audition may submit an unedited video audition via the Lamont application AND will complete a live Zoom interview.
The 10-minute interview will consist of a Q&A only. You will not be asked to perform.
Audition Repertoire Requirements
Undergraduate (BM and BA)
Three contrasting compositions for carillon including a prelude by Matthias Van den Gheyn
Select others from Dutch (eg. Badings, Franken, Maassen), Flemish (eg. Meulemans, D'hollander, Geysen) or American composers (eg. Johnson, Courter, Barnes)
Graduate (MM and Certificate in Performance)
Five contrasting compositions, including a Prelude by Matthias Van de Gehyn
Select others from Dutch (eg. Badings, Franken, Maassen), Flemish (eg. Meulemans, D'hollander, Geysen) or American composers (eg. Johnson, Courter, Barnes)
Go to the graduate admission application to submit your information. For information on admission requirements, visit the graduate academic programs page and locate your program of interest.
