Carillon Studio

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Our carillon program is led by University Carillonneur Carol Jickling Lens, who started studying the instrument in 1966. Since then, her career has taken her all over the world to places like the Netherlands, Russia, and South Korea. Jickling-Lens has been a member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA) since 1971 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1996 and 2016, serving two 3-year terms.

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. When the university is in session the carillon can usually be heard Monday through Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. 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.

Auditions

Applicants may choose to either audition in person in Denver OR submit a recorded video audition and complete a Zoom interview.

Click here for the full steps for how to apply. Applications received after January 15, 2022 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Live Audition

Applicants will preference their top two (2) audition dates for a live audition on the Lamont application. The 2022 audition dates are January 29, February 5, and February 12. All auditions are approximately 20 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.

Given the fluid nature of in-person events at this time, we recommend that you have a video recording of your audition repertoire on hand, in the event that we need to cancel in-person auditions.

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. Applicants will preference their top two (2) dates for the Zoom interview on the Lamont application, choosing from January 29, February 5, and February 12.

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)

Review requirements for Artist Diploma