View source for Carillon

{{Short description|Musical instrument of bells}}
{{about|the musical instrument}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2021}}
[[File:MayoClinicCarillonneur.jpg|thumb|alt=A man plays the Victorian Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslas" on a carillon's wooden keyboard with his fists, during this carillon's annual Christmas recitals during the 2016 holiday season.|A carillonist plays the 56-bell carillon of the [[Plummer Building]], [[Rochester, Minnesota]], US]]
[[File:Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount-Royal 8126.jpg|thumb|alt=A steel structure containing 56 hanging bells of various sizes and topped with a roof spire and a cross|The 56-bell carillon of [[Saint Joseph's Oratory]], [[Montreal, Quebec]], Canada<ref>{{cite web |title=QUMONTOR |website=TowerBells.org |url=http://www.towerbells.org/data/QUMONTOR.HTM |access-date=2021-05-27 |archive-date=18 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618113157/https://towerbells.org/data/QUMONTOR.HTM |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

A '''carillon''' <noinclude>({{IPAc-en|US|ˈ|k|aer|ə|l|ɒ|n}} {{respell|KARR|ə|lon}}, {{IPAc-en|UK|k|ə|ˈ|r|ɪ|l|j|ən}} {{respell|kə|RIL|yən}}{{sfn|"Carillon." ''Oxford English Dictionary''}}<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Carillon |encyclopedia=[[Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary]] |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/carillon |access-date=2022-04-21 |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503110157/https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/carillon |url-status=live }}</ref>)</noinclude> is a [[pitched percussion instrument]] that is played with a [[musical keyboard|keyboard]] and consists of at least 23 [[bell]]s. The bells are [[Bellfounding|cast]] in [[Bell metal|bronze]], hung in fixed suspension, and [[Musical tuning|tuned]] in [[Chromatic scale|chromatic order]] so that they can be sounded harmoniously together. They are struck with clappers connected to a keyboard of wooden batons played with the hands and [[Pedal keyboard|pedals]] played with the feet. Often housed in [[bell tower]]s, carillons are usually owned by churches, universities, or municipalities. They can include an automatic system through which the time is announced and simple tunes are played throughout the day.

Carillons come in many designs, weights, sizes, and sounds. They are among the world's heaviest instruments, and the heaviest carillon weighs over {{convert|91|MT|ST}}. Most weigh between {{convert|4.5|and|15|MT|ST}}. To be considered a carillon, a minimum of 23 bells is<!-- minimum is singular --> needed; otherwise, it is called a [[chime (bell instrument)|chime]]. Standard-sized instruments have about 50, and the world's largest has 77 bells. The appearance of  carillons depends on the number and weight of the bells and the tower in which they are housed. They may be found in towers that are free-standing or connected to a building. The bells of a carillon may be directly exposed to the elements or hidden inside the structure of their towers.

The origins of the carillon can be traced to the [[Low Countries]]—present-day Belgium, the Netherlands, and the [[French Netherlands]]—in the 16th century. The modern carillon was invented in 1644 when [[Jacob van&nbsp;Eyck]] and the [[Hemony brothers]] cast the first tuned carillon. The instrument experienced a peak until the late 18th century, a decline during the [[French Revolution]], a revival in the late 19th century, a second decline during the [[First World War|First]] and [[Second World War]]s, and a second revival thereafter. [[UNESCO]] has designated [[Belfries of Belgium and France|56 belfries in Belgium and France]] as a [[World Heritage Site]] and recognized the carillon culture of Belgium as an [[intangible cultural heritage]].

According to counts by various registries, [[List of carillons|about 700 carillons]] exist worldwide.<!--This number should be the rounded total in the table under /* Distribution */. Do not include traveling carillons in this number; they have their own section and total count.--> Most are in and around the Low Countries, though nearly 200 have been constructed in North America. Almost all extant carillons were constructed in the 20th century. Additionally, about 500 "non-traditional" carillons are known that most registries do not consider to be carillons due to some component of their action being electrified or computerized. A plurality of them is [[List of carillons in the United States|located in the United States]], and most of the others are in Western Europe. A few "traveling" or "mobile" carillons are fixed to a frame that enables them to be transported.

==Etymology and terminology==
The word ''carillon'' is a [[loanword]] from French dating to the late 18th century. It is derived from [[Old French]] {{Lang|fro|carignon}} (an alteration of {{Lang|fro|quarregon}}) {{gloss|a set of four bells}}. The word {{Lang|fro|quarregon}} originates from Latin {{lang|la|quaternionem}} {{gloss|set of four}}; from {{lang|la|quater}} {{gloss|four times}}.{{sfnm|"Carillon." ''Oxford English Dictionary''||"Carillon." Merriam-Webster Online}} The word ''carillon'' is often stated to have referred originally to a set of four forestrike bells, whose melodies announced the time signal of public hour bells,{{sfn|"Carillon." ''Oxford English Dictionary''}} but this is not confirmed by archival sources. Some convincing evidence shows that the term referred initially to the medieval custom of chiming on sets of four church bells by pulling the clappers by means of ropes.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=61–62|ps=: "The popular hypothesis that ''carillon'' initially was a forestroke of four bells is refuted by [evidence from the 1260&nbsp;CE [[Epic poetry|epic]] {{lang|dum|Van den vos Reynaerde|nocat=y}}]."}} In German, as well as using the French term, a carillon is sometimes called a {{Lang|de|Glockenspiel}} ({{literal translation|bells set|lk=yes}}).<ref>{{cite web |title=Was ist ein Carillon? |trans-title=What is a Carillon? |language=de |publisher=Deutsche Glockenspielvereinigung e.V. |url=https://glockenspieler.de/was-ist-ein-carillon |access-date=2021-04-27 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-02-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225212429/https://glockenspieler.de/was-ist-ein-carillon}}</ref> This should not be confused with the identically named [[glockenspiel]], which itself is sometimes called a ''carillon'' in French.{{sfn|Del Mar|1983|p=407}} Dutch speakers use the word {{lang|nl|beiaard}}, which has an uncertain etymology.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=62}}

A musician who plays the carillon is commonly called a '''carillonneur''' ({{IPAc-en|US|ˌ|k|ɛr|ə|l|ə|ˈ|n|ɜːr}} {{respell|KERR|ə|lə|NUR}}, {{IPAc-en|UK|k|ə|ˌ|r|ɪ|l|j|ə|ˈ|n|ɜːr}} {{respell|kə|RIL|yə|NUR}}{{sfn|"Carillonneur." Merriam-Webster Online}}), also lent from French. It and ''carillon'' were adopted by English speakers after the introduction of the instrument to British troops following the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] in the 18th century.{{sfn|Price|1983|p=222|ps=: "The player of this unique keyboard is known in Flemish as a {{Lang|nl|beiaardier}} and in French as a {{Lang|fr|carillonneur}}, which last term was also adopted in English after the campaigns of [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough|Marlborough]] brought British troops on to Flemish soil and gave a British march to be chimed from Flemish towers."}} Though the French word ''carillonneur'' literally refers to carillon players who are men, the French {{Lang|fr|carillonneuse}} to denote women is not used in English. Another common term is the English '''''carillonist''''', which some players of the carillon have wished to replace ''carillonneur'' because of the former's [[gender inclusivity]], simple spelling, and unambiguous pronunciation.{{sfnm|Barnes|2014|1p=41|Halsted|2012|2p=10}} In 2018, the World Carillon Federation adopted ''carillonist'' as the preferred term for its communications.{{sfn|Ng|Lewis|2020|p=1}}

==Characteristics==
===Construction===
[[File:Clavier du carillon.jpg|thumb|alt=A wooden keyboard of batons connected to a pedal board|Console of the carillon at the {{ill|Church of the Sacred Heart of Cholet|fr|Église du Sacré-Cœur de Cholet}} in [[Maine-et-Loire]], France]]

The carillon is a [[keyboard instrument]]. Though it shares similarities with other instruments in this category, such as the [[organ (music)|organ]] or [[pedal piano]], its playing console is unique.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=85}} Playing is done with the player's hands on a [[manual (music)|manual]] keyboard composed of rounded, wooden batons. The manual has short [[chromatic scale|chromatic]] keys (i.e. "black keys") raised above the [[Diatonic scale|diatonic]] keys ("white keys") and arranged like a piano, but they are spaced far apart, and the chromatic keys are raised above the rest, about {{convert|10|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=85}} To operate, the keys are depressed with a closed fist.{{sfn|Gouwens|2017|p=3}} The lowest one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half <!-- octaves are not decimals -->[[octave]]s of the manual are connected to a [[pedal keyboard]] played with the feet. The connection is direct, meaning that when a pedal is pressed, its corresponding key on the manual is pulled down with it.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=85}} Since the mid-20th century, two keyboard design standards have competed for a carillon's console: the North American standard and the North European standard. They differ over several design elements, such as whether the outer pedals curve toward the center or the specific distance a key is depressed.{{sfnm|Courter et al.|2006|1p=3|Rombouts|2014|2pp=292–93}} In 2006, the World Carillon Federation developed the WCF Keyboard 2006,{{sfn|Courter et al.|2006|p=3}} which is a compromise between the two standards. The organization recommends that its keyboard standard be used as a guideline when constructing new carillons or renovating existing keyboards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon Keyboard Standards |publisher=World Carillon Federation |url=https://www.carillon.org/eng/dynamic_frame_eng.htm?https://www.carillon.org/eng/actueel/gdansk_3.htm |access-date=2021-04-27 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427185924/https://www.carillon.org/eng/dynamic_frame_eng.htm?https%3A%2F%2Fwww.carillon.org%2Feng%2Factueel%2Fgdansk_3.htm }}</ref>

[[File:Vredesbeiaard aarschot.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Bells hanging from beams and attached to a system of wires|View of the bells and transmission system of the 49-bell {{ill|Aarschot Peace Carillon|nl|Vredesbeiaard (Aarschot)}} in Belgium<ref>{{cite web |title=BEARSTPC |website=TowerBells.org |url=http://www.towerbells.org/data/BEARSTPC.HTM |access-date=2021-08-04 |archive-date=2021-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804223306/http://www.towerbells.org/data/BEARSTPC.HTM |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

Each key is connected to a transmission system by a wire, usually made of stainless steel. When a particular key is depressed, it pulls on the wire, which after interacting with other wires and pulleys, causes a clapper to swing towards the inner wall of the key's corresponding bell. At rest, these clappers are about {{convert|2|to|4|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} away from the bell wall.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=76}} Small bells are fitted with springs to pull their clappers back immediately after the stroke, so that the bell is not sounded more than once with each keystroke. This is not necessary for large bells, which have sufficiently heavy clappers.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=79}} Immediately above each key is a wire adjuster called a [[turnbuckle]]. These allow the performer to adjust the length of the wire, which often changes with temperature fluctuations.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=85}}

The carillon's cast-bronze, cup-shaped bells are housed at the top of a tower in a structure typically made of steel or wooden beams. The arrangement of the bells depends on the space, height, and construction of the tower, and the number and size of bells. When the heaviest bells are especially large, they are usually placed below the playing cabin to achieve a better tonal distribution.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|pp=86–87}} The bells do not move during operation, only the clappers.{{sfnm|Rice|1914|1p=23|Lehr|2005|2p=10}} With some instruments, the heaviest bells may be outfitted with a mechanism enabling them to swing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Playing Mechanism |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/playing-mechanism |access-date=2021-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123212459/https://www.gcna.org/playing-mechanism}}</ref>

===Mechanization with clock and playing drum===
[[File:Score of the Carillon of the Belfry of Ghent, Belgium.jpg|thumb|253x253px|Playing drum in the [[Belfry of Ghent]], [[Ghent]], Belgium]]
[[File:Interieur toren, begane grond, overzicht van het middenstuk van de achterzijde van het trommelspeelwerk - Brielle - 20533341 - RCE.jpg|thumb|alt=Large metal cylinder with pegs connected to gears|Front of the 16th-century clockwork and playing drum in the {{ill|Catharijnekerk Brielle|nl|Grote of Sint-Catharijnekerk|lt=Catharijnekerk}} in [[Brielle]], Netherlands|378x378px]]Carillons may also feature an automatic mechanism by which simple tunes or the [[Westminster Quarters]] are played on the lower bells.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|pp=59–60}} The mechanism on European carillons is often a playing drum, which is a large metal cylinder connected to a clock mechanism.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|pp=87–88}} Metal pegs are screwed onto the outside of the drum. When the clock mechanism sets the drum in motion, the pegs catch onto levers, connected to hammers that rest just a short distance from the outside of the bell. The hammers are briefly raised, and then fall onto the bell as the peg continues to rotate away from the lever.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=88}} The pegs are arranged such that simple tunes can be programmed to play at specific quarter hours.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|pp=90–95}} In North America, automatic-playing drum systems are not common; instead, carillons may have pneumatic systems, which ring the instrument.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=98}}

===Sound===
{{Further|Bellfounding|Campanology}}

Carillons produce sound by striking stationary bells, categorizing them as [[percussion idiophone]]s in the [[Hornbostel–Sachs]] classification of musical instruments (111.242.222&nbsp;– sets of bells with internal strikers).<ref>{{cite web |author1-last=Von Hornbostel |author1-first=Erich |author1-link=Erich von Hornbostel |author2-last=Sachs |author2-first=Curt |author2-link=Curt Sachs |editor-last=Guizzi |editor-first=Febo |translator1-last=Baines |translator1-first=Anthony |translator1-link=Anthony Baines |translator2-last=Wachsmann |translator2-first=Klaus |translator2-link=Klaus Wachsmann |title=Classification of Musical Instruments |year=2018 |publisher=Fondazione Ugo e Olga Levi Onlus |page=11 |url=https://www.suonoeimmagine.unito.it/SAMIC/HS_REF_EN_v01_072018.pdf |access-date=2021-08-01 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028165738/https://www.suonoeimmagine.unito.it/SAMIC/HS_REF_EN_v01_072018.pdf}}</ref> Carillon bells are made of [[bell bronze]], a specialized copper–tin alloy used for its above-average rigidity and [[Acoustic resonance|resonance]].{{sfnm|Rombouts|2014|1p=45|Johnston|1986|2p=40}} A bell's profile (shape) and weight determine its note and the quality of its tone. Therefore, apart from changes in its profile, such as chipping or corrosion, a bell will never lose its original sound.{{sfn|Price|1983|p=210}} It produces a sound with [[overtone]]s, also known as partial tones, which are not necessarily harmonically related.{{sfn|Gouwens|2013|pp=72–73}} To produce a pleasing, harmonically related series of tones, the bell's profile must be carefully adjusted. [[Bellfounder]]s typically focus on five principal tones when [[Musical tuning|tuning]], most notably the [[minor third]] overtone called the tierce, which gives rise to the unique sound of carillons and has been the subject of further research, such as the [[Bell#Major third bell|major third bell]].{{sfn|Lehr|2005|pp=37–42, 50–51}} Since the casting process does not reliably produce perfectly tuned bells, they are cast slightly thicker and metal is shaved off with a [[lathe]].{{sfn|Lehr|2005|pp=37–40}} On older European carillons, bells were tuned with each other using the [[meantone temperament]] tuning system. Modern carillons, particularly those in North America, are tuned to [[equal temperament]].{{sfn|Brink|2017}}

{{Listen
| header       = Carillon sound sample
| type         = music
| filename     = O Canada and God Save the King instrumental 1927.ogg
| title        = "O Canada" and "God Save the King"
| description  = The [[Peace Tower Carillon]] at the [[Parliament Hill|Canadian parliament]], playing on its opening day, [[Canada Day]] 1927
| filename2    = Fixed Pattern of Distant Stars by Tiffany Ng and Jen Wang.ogg
| title2       = ''Fixed Pattern of Distant Stars''
| description2 = The [[Sather Tower|Class of 1928 Carillon]] at [[University of California, Berkeley]], playing in 2011
}}

The carillon has a [[dynamic range#Music|dynamic range]] similar to a piano, if not more versatile. Through variation of touch, performers can express many volumes. The larger the bell, the larger its dynamic range. Bigger bells will also sound naturally louder than smaller, higher-pitched bells.{{sfn|Brink|2017}}

Along with [[List of pipe organs#The largest pipe organs in the world|pipe organs]], carillons are among the world's heaviest musical instruments. Most carillons weigh (counting only the weight of the bells) between {{convert|4.5|and|15|MT|ST}}, with extremes ranging from very light {{convert|1|MT|ST}} instruments to the world's heaviest at over {{convert|91|MT|ST}}—the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon of the [[Riverside Church]] in New York City, US.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=310}} Its [[bourdon (bell)|bourdon]], or largest bell, is the largest tuned bell ever cast for a carillon. It sounds a full octave below most other bourdons.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=221}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keat |first1=Jim |title=Carillon |website=Music at Riverside |publisher=[[Riverside Church]] |url=https://www.trcnyc.org/music/ |access-date=2021-02-06 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203204255/https://www.trcnyc.org/music/}}</ref> The entire ensemble of fixed and swinging bells, clappers, and steel framework weighs more than {{convert|226|MT|ST}}.<ref>{{cite report |title=The Riverside Church |publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] |date=2000-05-16 |page=7 |url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2037.pdf |access-date=2021-05-05 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316010628/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2037.pdf}}</ref>

===Range===
A carillon's [[range (music)|range]] is determined by the number of bells it has, which usually depends on funds available for the creation of the instrument; more money allows more bells to be cast, especially the larger, more costly ones. A carillon, as generally accepted, must have a minimum of 23 bells, or else it is called a [[chime (bell instrument)|chime]].{{sfnm|Rice|1914|1p=23|Rombouts|2014|2p=310|Brink|2017|3p=|"Organization." World Carillon Federation||4p=|"Carillon." ''Encyclopaedia Britannica''|5p=}} No standard pitch range for the carillon has been established,{{sfn|Brink|2017}} so several subcategories are used to categorize them:

* Carillons with 23 to 27 bells and 35 to 39 bells are classified as two-octave and three-octave carillons, respectively. Players of these instruments often use music written specifically for the limited ranges.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Musical Instrument |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/carillon-instrument |access-date=2021-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123212451/https://www.gcna.org/carillon-instrument}}</ref>
* A "concert" or "standard" carillon typically has 45 to 50 bells, or a range of about four octaves.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=60}}
* Carillons with more than 50 bells are often referred to as "great" or "grand" carillons.<ref>For example:
* {{cite magazine |last=Rodriguez |first=Susan T. |title=Metz Bicentennial Grand Carillon, Indiana University |magazine=[[Architect Magazine]] |date=2020-10-09 |url=https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/metz-bicentennial-grand-carillon-indiana-university_o |access-date=2021-05-17 |archive-date=2021-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119023909/https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/metz-bicentennial-grand-carillon-indiana-university_o |url-status=live |ref=none }}
* {{cite press release |last=LaRocca |first=Aaron |title=Netherlands Carillon to be Restored and Elevated to 'Grand Carillon' Status |date=2019-10-21 |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |url=https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/news/netherlands-carillon-to-be-restored-and-elevated-to-grand-carillon-status.htm |access-date=2021-05-17 |archive-date=2021-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613192848/https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/news/netherlands-carillon-to-be-restored-and-elevated-to-grand-carillon-status.htm |url-status=live |ref=none }}
* {{cite web |last1=Huard |first1=Spencer |title=Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower & Visitor Center |publisher=Naperville Park District |url=https://www.napervilleparks.org/facilities/millenniumcarillon |access-date=2021-05-17 |archive-date=2021-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517125213/https://www.napervilleparks.org/facilities/millenniumcarillon |url-status=live |ref=none }}
* {{cite news |last=Harhen |first=Nora |title=Wait, the Campanile's Bells Aren't Automated? |work=[[The Daily Californian]] |date=2014-11-17 |url=https://www.dailycal.org/2014/11/07/wait-campaniles-bells-arent-automated/ |access-date=2021-05-17 |archive-date=2021-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517125213/https://www.dailycal.org/2014/11/07/wait-campaniles-bells-arent-automated/ |url-status=live |ref=none }}</ref>
* Carillons of 15 to 22 bells, which were built before 1940, may be classified as "historical carillons" by the World Carillon Federation.{{sfn|"Organization." World Carillon Federation}}

<!--Keep these images paired as the second image caption references the first-->
[[File:Forty-Nine-Bell Carillon with B-flat in Bass Staff Notation.png|thumb|The range of a 49-bell carillon with a missing C{{music|sharp}} bell and additional B{{music|flat}} bell in the bass{{sfn|Brink|2017}}<ref name="Chesman quote">{{harvnb|Chesman|2015|p=3|ps=: "In general, the lowest C on the pedal would be [[tenor C]], that is, the second space on the [[bass clef]]."}}</ref>]]
[[File:Forty-Nine-Bell Carillon with B-flat in Bass Piano Keyboard.svg|thumb|upright=1.7|The same range as the above image represented on a piano keyboard (with [[middle C]] marked in yellow)<ref name="Chesman quote"/>]]

The title of "world's largest carillon by number of bells" is shared between two instruments: the carillon of the [[Kirk in the Hills]] Presbyterian Church in [[Bloomfield Hills, Michigan]], US, and the carillon at the {{Interlanguage link|Daejeon Institute of Science and Technology|ko|대전과학기술대학교}} in [[Daejeon]], South Korea; both have 77 bells.{{sfn|Slater|2003|p=19|ps=: "The Kirk-in-the-Hills 77-bell carillon is famous as the carillon with the world's largest number of bells (bourdon 12,860 pounds [5,833&nbsp;kg], note G)."}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon |website=Music Ministry |publisher=[[Kirk in the Hills]] |url=https://kirkinthehills.org/worship/music/ |access-date=2021-02-07 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207165922/https://kirkinthehills.org/worship/music/}}</ref>

Since a carillon is seldom played in concert with other instruments, its bourdon may be any [[pitch (music)|pitch]]—whichever is advantageous for the location and funds available;{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=59}} to simplify the writing and playing of music, keyboards often have a [[C (music)|C]]-compass. As a result, many carillons are [[transposing instrument]]s, especially those that are small, have many bells, or were constructed on limited funds.{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=59}} The transposition can vary from down a [[perfect fourth]] to up an octave.{{sfn|Brink|2017}} In North America, increasing numbers of new carillons have been installed in concert pitch as a result of the desire to establish the carillon as a full-fledged concert instrument.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=310}}

Many carillons, according to a C-compass, are missing the lowest [[C-sharp (musical note)|C{{music|sharp}}]] and [[E-flat (musical note)|E{{music|flat}}]] bells (equating to the second- and fourth-largest bells if they were included). The reason is often financial; by omitting these bells, the construction of a carillon can be reduced significantly, sometimes by 20% for large installations. Since the early 1900s, European installations often reintroduce the E{{music|flat}} bell, and instead of adding the C{{music|sharp}} bell, they include a [[B-flat (musical note)|B{{music|flat}}]] bell (which is a [[major second]] below the C-compass bell).{{sfn|Lehr|2005|p=59}}

==History==
<!--Note: Chime (bell instrument) links to this specific heading. Please reflect changes to this heading in that article as well - User:Thrakkx, 26 May 2021-->

===Origins===
The carillon originated from two earlier functions of bells: ringing bells to send messages or to indicate the time of day.

Bellringers attached ropes to the clappers of [[swinging bell]]s and rang them while stationary in a technique called chiming. Chiming bells gave the ringer more control compared to swinging bells, so was used to send messages to those within earshot. For example, sounding bells was often used to warn of a fire or impending attack. At celebratory events, a bellringer could gather ropes together to chime multiple bells in rhythmic patterns.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=40–42}} By the end of the 15th century, chimers are recorded to have used their technique to play music on bells. A 1478 [[chronicle]] recounts a man in [[Dunkirk]] having made a "great innovation in honor of God" by playing melodies on bells. Another one recounts in 1482 a [[jester]] from [[Aalst, Belgium|Aalst]] playing bells in [[Antwerp]] with ropes and batons, the latter term suggesting the existence of a keyboard.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=59}}

[[File:Earliest Carillonneur Picture.png|thumb|alt=Drawing of a man playing a carillon|Oldest known depiction of a person playing a carillon, from ''De Campanis Commentarius'' (1612) by [[Angelo Rocca]]{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=76}}]]

In the 14th century, the newly developed [[escapement]] technology for [[mechanical clock]]s spread throughout European [[clock tower]]s and gradually replaced the [[water clock]].{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=49, 52–53}} Since the earliest clocks lacked [[Clock face|faces]], they announced the time by striking a bell a number of times corresponding to the hour. Eventually, these [[striking clock]]s were modified to make a warning signal just before the hour count to draw the attention of listeners to the upcoming announcement. This signal is called the forestrike ({{langx|nl|voorslag|links=no}}).{{sfnm|Rombouts|2014|1p=54|Gouwens|2013|2p=15}} Originally, the forestrike consisted of striking one or two bells, and the systems slowly grew in complexity. By the middle of the 15th century, forestrikes, with three to seven bells, could [[Clock chime|play simple melodies]].{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=54–55}}

As late as 1510, these two functions were combined into one primitive carillon in the [[Oudenaarde Town Hall]]. One set of nine bells was<!-- set is singular --> connected to both a keyboard and the clock's forestrike.{{sfnm|Rombouts|2014|1pp=60–61|Gouwens|2013|2p=16}} The [[Low Countries]]—present-day Belgium, the Netherlands, and the [[French Netherlands]]—were most interested in the potential of using bells to make music. In this region, [[bellfounding]] had reached an advanced stage relative to other regions in Europe.{{sfn|"Carillon." ''Encyclopaedia Britannica''}}

===Development===
The new instrument developed in the favorable conditions in the Low Countries during the 17th century. Bellfounders found increased financial and technological support as the region traded by sea through ports.{{sfn|Swager|1993|p=14}} Moreover, the political situation under [[Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy|Margaret of Austria]] and [[Holy Roman emperor Charles&nbsp;V]] brought relative wealth and power to cities.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=74}} Carillons quickly became a fashionable symbol of civic prestige. Cities and towns competed against one another to possess the largest, highest-quality instruments.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=71, 73}} The demand was met by a successful industry of bellfounding families, notably the Waghevens and [[Vanden&nbsp;Gheyn]]s.{{sfn|Gouwens|2013|p=16}} Together, they produced over 50 carillons during the 16th and early 17th centuries.{{sfn|Swager|1993|p=12}} By 1600, the primitive carillon had become an established feature of the region.{{sfn|Swager|1993|p=12}}

[[File:Beiaard Lebuïnuskerk.JPG|thumb|alt=Tower with a carillon's bells visible through the windows|A [[Pieter and François Hemony|Hemony]] carillon hangs in the tower of [[Lebuïnuskerk, Deventer|St.&nbsp;Lebuinus Church]] in [[Deventer]], Netherlands; it was cast in [[Zutphen]] in 1647.<ref>{{cite web |title=NLDVNTSL |website=TowerBells.org |url=http://www.towerbells.org/data/NLDVNTSL.HTM |access-date=2021-05-19 |archive-date=2021-05-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519142436/http://www.towerbells.org/data/NLDVNTSL.HTM |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

A critical development for the modern carillon occurred in the 17th century, which involved a partnership between [[Pieter and François Hemony]] and [[Jacob van&nbsp;Eyck]]. The Hemony brothers were prominent bellfounders known for their precise tuning technique. Van&nbsp;Eyck was a renowned [[Blind musician|blind carillonneur]] of [[Utrecht]], who was commissioned by several Dutch cities to maintain and make improvements to their clock chimes and carillons. He was particularly interested in the sounds of bells. In 1633, he developed the ability to isolate and describe a bell's five main overtones and discovered a bell's partial tones can be tuned harmoniously with each other by adjusting the bell's thickness.{{sfnm|Price|1983|1p=219|Gouwens|2013|2pp=19–21}} The Hemony brothers were commissioned in 1644 to cast 19 bells for [[Zutphen]]'s {{ill|Wijnhuistoren|nl}} with Van&nbsp;Eyck as their consultant. By tuning the bells with the advice from Van&nbsp;Eyck, they created the first carillon by the modern definition.{{sfn|Swager|1993|pp=16–20}} According to carillonneur John Gouwens, the quality of the bells was so impressive that Van&nbsp;Eyck recommended casting a full two octaves, or 23 bells. This range has been considered the standard minimum range for carillons ever since.{{sfn|Gouwens|2013|p=20}} During the next 36 years, the Hemony brothers produced 51 carillons.{{sfnm|Price|1983|1p=219|Rombouts|2014|2pp=94–95}} Carillon culture experienced a peak around this time and until the late-18th century.{{sfn|"Carillon." ''Encyclopaedia Britannica''}}

===Decline===
The [[French Revolution]] had far-reaching consequences on the Low Countries and the carillon. France conquered and annexed the [[Austrian Netherlands]] in 1795 and the [[United Provinces (Low Countries)|United Provinces]] in 1810. After publishing instructions for extracting copper from bell bronze, France sought to dismantle local carillons to reduce its copper shortage.{{sfn|Swager|1993|pp=39–40}} Carillon owners resisted, for example, by petitioning the new governments to declare their instruments as "culturally significant"{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=143}} or by disconnecting the bells and burying them in secret.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=145}} During this period, as many as 110 carillons existed. About 50 of them were destroyed as a result of war, fire, and dismantling. The majority were melted down to produce cannons for the [[French Revolutionary Wars]].{{sfn|Swager|1993|pp=39–41}}

Between 1750 and the end of the 19th century, interest in the carillon declined greatly. An increasing number of households had access to [[grandfather clocks]] and [[pocket watch]]es, which eroded the carillon's monopoly on announcing the time.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=149}} As a musical instrument, the carillon lagged behind during the [[Romantic music|Romantic era]], which featured music of a wandering, story-like nature. Many carillons were tuned using meantone temperament, which meant they were not suited for the [[chromaticism]] of the newer musical styles.{{sfnm|Swager|1993|1pp=41–42|Rombouts|2014|2p=150}} The production of new musical works for the instrument essentially came to a standstill.{{sfn|Van Ulft|2020|p=33}} The standard skill level of carillonneurs had also dropped significantly, so much so that in 1895, the music publisher [[Schott frères]] issued [[Matthias Vanden&nbsp;Gheyn]]'s 11 carillon preludes for piano with a foreword claiming "no carillonneur of our time knows how to play them on the carillon".{{sfn|Price|1983|p=224}} Also, with a reduced demand for new carillons, the tuning techniques developed by the Hemony brothers, but not Van&nbsp;Eyck's underlying theory, were forgotten. Subsequent carillons were generally inferior to earlier installations.{{sfn|"Carillon." ''Encyclopaedia Britannica''}}

===Revival===
In the early 1890s, an English [[change ringer]] and [[canon (priest)|canon]] Arthur Simpson published a set of articles on bell tuning, where he argued bell founders had been complacent with their poor tuning methods and proposed solutions to the existing problems. [[John William Taylor]], who had been trying to replicate the tuning techniques of the Hemony brothers and the Vanden&nbsp;Gheyns at [[John Taylor & Co|his foundry]], began working with Simpson. In 1904, they founded the first tuned bells in over a century.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=173–76}} The rediscovery initiated a revival of carillon building.{{sfn|"Carillon." ''Encyclopaedia Britannica''}}

In [[Mechelen]], Belgium, [[Jef Denyn]] was a major figure in the carillon's revival as a musical instrument. In 1887, after his father had become completely blind, Denyn took over as the city carillonneur and was responsible for playing the carillon in the tower of [[St.&nbsp;Rumbold's Cathedral]].{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=177–78}} From the beginning of his career, Denyn advocated for better playability of the instrument. He further developed the tumbler rack system of transmission cables that his father had installed on the cathedral carillon. This allowed the player to have better control over [[Dynamics (music)|dynamic]] variations, fast musical passages, and [[tremolo]]s. Tremolos offered a solution to a Romantic-era limitation of the carillon: its inability to expressively sustain the sound of individual notes.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=178–80}}

[[File:Mechelen St-Romboutskathedraal 04.JPG|thumb|alt=An ornate stone brick bell tower|The tower of [[St. Rumbold's Cathedral]] in [[Mechelen]], Belgium, where [[Jef Denyn]] generated worldwide interest in the carillon]]

With his improving skills as a carillonneur and the upgraded cathedral carillon, Denyn's performances began attracting crowds of listeners. He established regular Monday-night concerts at the suggestion of the city council.{{sfn|Swager|1993|pp=50–51}} On 1&nbsp;August 1892, Denyn hosted the first carillon concert in history.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=181}} From this point forward, the instrument garnered a reputation as a concert instrument, rather than as an instrument tasked with providing background music.{{sfn|Swager|1993|p=51}}

===Impact of the World Wars===
Because of his concerts, Denyn met [[William Gorham Rice]], an American state and federal government official from [[Albany, New York]], US. Having traveled to [[The Hague]] and been exposed to the carillon, Rice was regularly touring the region to interview carillonneurs for his research. After Denyn's 18&nbsp;August 1913 evening concert, he and Rice exchanged ideas about the societal and educational value of carillon performances for large audiences.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=188}} Rice's book ''Carillons of Belgium and Holland'', the first in the English language written specifically about carillons,{{sfn|Keldermans|Keldermans|1996|p=39}} was published in December 1914 and reprinted three times. The book painted an idealized picture of the region that resonated with the American public, particularly in light of the [[rape of Belgium]].{{sfnm|Rombouts|2014|1pp=197–98|Thorne|2018}} Its success motivated Rice to publish two more books in 1915 and 1925.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=198}} Rice became an authority on carillons in the United States; besides his books, he gave 35 lectures in several cities, published articles in magazines, spoke on radio programs, and presented exhibition material on the subject between 1912 and 1922.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=208}} In 1922, Rice garnered financial support from [[Herbert Hoover]] and [[John D. Rockefeller&nbsp;Jr.]] to establish a carillon school in Mechelen, with Denyn as its first director. It was later named the [[Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn"]].{{sfnm|Price|1983|1pp=227–28|Rombouts|2014|2p=208|Gouwens|2013|3p=43}}

[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H26751, Hamburg, Glockenlager im Freihafen.jpg|thumb|Broken bells in a {{ill|Bell cemetery|de|Glockenfriedhof|lt=bell cemetery|quote=y}} in [[Hamburg]], Germany, 1947]]

Stephen Thorne of the [[Canadian military history]] magazine ''Legion'' writes that the [[Allied Powers of World War&nbsp;I]] and [[Allied Powers of World War II|of World War&nbsp;II]] saw the destruction of carillons during the respective wars as a "brutal annihilation of a unique democratic music instrument".{{sfn|Thorne|2018}} The destruction was highly publicized among the allies of Belgium and the Netherlands. In the latter war, British investigators claimed Germany seized two-thirds of all bells in Belgium and every bell in the Netherlands. Between 1938 and 1945, 175,000 bells were stolen and stored in {{ill|Bell cemetery|de|Glockenfriedhof|lt=bell cemeteries|quote=y}} ({{langx|de|Glockenfriedhöfe|links=no}}). Some 150,000 were sent to foundries and melted down for their copper.{{sfn|Thorne|2018}} Following the war, with the bells out of their towers, E.&nbsp;W. Van&nbsp;Heuven and other [[physicist]]s could research the tonal qualities of bells in laboratory conditions and with modern electrical sound-analyzing equipment.{{sfn|Price|1983|pp=232–35}} [[Percival Price]], the Dominion carillonneur at the [[Peace Tower]],{{sfn|Slater|2003|p=45}} was tasked with [[repatriating]] as many surviving bells as possible. He also used the opportunity to publish similar research.{{sfn|Thorne|2018}} Every bellfounder could then learn how to cast the highest-quality bells, and the increase in new carillons was greater than ever.{{sfn|Price|1983|p=235}}

===Movement in North America===
Between 1922 and 1940, bellfounders installed 43 carillons in the United States and Canada. The flood of carillons onto the continent is attributed to Rice's widely popular books and persistent education in the United States. His romanticized depiction of the cultural instrument prompted wealthy donors to purchase carillons for their own civil and religious communities.{{sfn|Barnes|1987|p=21}} Price was appointed to play the carillon at the [[Metropolitan United Church]] in [[Toronto, Ontario]], Canada (before working as the Dominion carillonneur); [[Mary Mesquita Dahlmer]] was appointed to play at [[Our Lady of Good Voyage Church (Gloucester, Massachusetts)|Our Lady of Good Voyage Church]] in [[Gloucester, Massachusetts]], US. Both were the first professional carillonneurs in their respective countries.{{sfn|Slater|2003|pp=15, 45}} In 1936, [[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] was founded at [[Parliament Hill]] in [[Ottawa, Ontario]], Canada. Following the deaths of Denyn in 1941 and Rice in 1945, North American carillonneurs, through their new organization, sought to develop their own authority on education and performance.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=289}} In the 1950s and 1960s, a distinct North American style of carillon music emerged at the [[University of Kansas]]. [[Ronald Barnes (carillonist)|Ronald Barnes]], the university's carillonneur, led in the style and encouraged his peers to compose for the carillon, and produced many of his own compositions.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=289}}

===International recognition===
In the 1970s, the idea for a global carillon organization took shape, and the {{ill|World Carillon Federation|nl|Beiaard Wereld Federatie}} was later formed as the central organization of carillon players and enthusiasts. It is a federation of the pre-existing national or regional carillon associations that had been founded throughout the 20th century.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=312}}

In 1999, [[UNESCO]] designated [[Belfries of Belgium and France|32 bell towers in Belgium]] as a [[World Heritage Site]], in recognition of their architectural diversity and significance. The list was expanded in 2005 to include 23 in France, as well as the tower of [[Gembloux]], Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |title=Belfries of Belgium and France |website=World Heritage Centre |publisher=[[UNESCO]] |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/943/ |access-date=2021-04-13 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323203523/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/943/}}</ref> In 2014, UNESCO recognized the carillon culture of Belgium as an [[intangible cultural heritage]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Safeguarding the carillon culture: preservation, transmission, exchange and awareness-raising |website=Intangible Cultural Heritage |publisher=[[UNESCO]] |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/BSP/safeguarding-the-carillon-culture-preservation-transmission-exchange-and-awareness-raising-01017 |access-date=2021-07-28 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724080536/https://ich.unesco.org/en/BSP/safeguarding-the-carillon-culture-preservation-transmission-exchange-and-awareness-raising-01017}}</ref> stating that it "recognizes the creativity of carillonneurs and others who ensure that this cultural form remains relevant to today's local societies."<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Belgische beiaardcultuur erkend als erfgoed |trans-title=Belgian Carillon Culture Recognized as Heritage |date=2014-11-25 |work=[[VRT (broadcaster)|VRT NWS]] |language=nl |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2014/11/25/belgische_beiaardcultuurerkendalserfgoed-1-2159300/ |access-date=2021-04-13 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413223831/https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2014/11/25/belgische_beiaardcultuurerkendalserfgoed-1-2159300/ |quote=Unesco erkent de creativiteit van beiaardiers en anderen die ervoor zorgen dat deze cultuurvorm relevant blijft voor de lokale samenlevingen van vandaag. |trans-quote=UNESCO recognizes the creativity of carillonneurs and others who ensure that this form of culture remains relevant to today's local societies.}}</ref>

In 2008, the carillon was featured in the film ''[[Welcome to the Sticks]]'', a box-office success as the [[List of highest-grossing films in France#French productions|highest-grossing]] French film ever released in France {{as of|2021|lc=y|post=.}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to the Sticks |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher=[[IMDb]] |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3703866881/rankings/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |access-date=2021-04-19 |archive-date=2021-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419223832/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3703866881/rankings/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2019, playing the carillon of [[St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh|St. Coleman's Cathedral]] in [[Cobh]], Ireland, was recognized by the [[Irish government]] as key element of the country's living cultural heritage.<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Minister Madigan Announces State Recognition of Key Elements of Ireland's Living Cultural Heritage |url=https://merrionstreet.ie/en/news-room/releases/minister_madigan_announces_state_recognition_of_key_elements_of_ireland’s_living_cultural_heritage.html |location=[[Dublin]] |publisher=Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |agency=MerrionStreet.ie |date=2019-07-18 |access-date=2022-05-04 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227041916/https://merrionstreet.ie/en/news-room/releases/minister_madigan_announces_state_recognition_of_key_elements_of_ireland’s_living_cultural_heritage.html}}</ref> In 2025, the casting of bells and playing music on bells was added to Germany's list of intangible cultural heritage.<ref>{{cite newsletter |author=German Carillon Association |title=Intangible Cultural Heritage Recognition |magazine=WCF Newsletter |publisher=World Carillon Federation |page=5 |url=https://www.carillon.org/newsletter/WCF_Newsletter_202506.pdf |access-date=2025-06-09}}</ref>

==Usage and repertoire==
===Music===
{{Category see also|Composers for carillon}}

The carillon repertoire skews heavily toward newer works in stark contrast to that of its relative, the [[organ repertoire]]. Some 15 collections of carillon music written in the 17th and 18th centuries are known to exist.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=129}} Like with the [[pipe organ]], early carillon performances consisted mostly of improvisations.{{sfn|Gouwens|2017|p=127}} In the late [[Renaissance music|Renaissance]] and early [[Baroque music|Baroque eras]], keyboard music was not written for one instrument or another, but rather was written to be played on {{em|any}} keyboard instrument. For this reason, much of the carillon's repertoire in its early history was likely the same as that of the [[harpsichord]], organ, and piano. One of the few surviving examples is the [[De Gruytters carillon book]], dated 1746. The music is arranged,rather than composed, for performance on the carillon and could easily be played on other keyboard instruments.{{sfn|Van Ulft|2020|p=32}} Baroque keyboard music is well suited for carillon transcription,{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=318|ps=: "In the classical repertoire, Baroque music is an inexhaustible source of appealing carillon music."}} particularly the works of [[Bach]], [[Arcangelo Corelli|Corelli]], [[François Couperin|Couperin]], [[Handel]], [[Mozart]], and [[Antonio Vivaldi|Vivaldi]].{{sfn|"Carillon." ''Encyclopaedia Britannica''}}

[[File:BIG 117025309040611.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Carillon sheet music resting above a keyboard.|Carillon music is written on a [[grand staff]]. The treble clef signifies playing with hands and the bass clef playing with feet.{{sfn|Brink|2017}}]]
The earliest known original compositions specifically for the carillon, and not simply any keyboard, are the 11 [[prelude (music)|prelude]]s of Matthias Vanden&nbsp;Gheyn. The structure of his works suggests he had been playing nonspecific keyboard music on the carillon for many years and that he wanted to play music that is [[Instrumental idiom|idiomatic to the instrument]].{{sfn|Van Ulft|2020|p=33}} Technically challenging, his preludes have been the standard repertoire among carillonneurs since the early 1900s.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=114–15}}

Jef Denyn made many public statements about what music should be performed on the carillon, and he persuaded several composers of the time to write for it. Among those composers were his students, including {{interlanguage link|Staf Nees|nl}}, [[Léon Henry]], and {{interlanguage link|Jef Rottiers|nl}}, and composers for other instruments, such as [[Jef van&nbsp;Hoof]].{{sfn|Gouwens|2017|p=134}} The carillon school began publishing carillon music in 1925.{{sfn|Price|1983|p=230}} Through his school, Denyn was the early proponent of the "Mechelen style"{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=225}} of carillon music, which consists of virtuosic flourishes, tremolos, and other Baroque and Romantic elements.{{sfn|Van Ulft|2020|pp=33–34}}

Ronald Barnes was the leading figure behind the North American style of carillon music, which developed in the 1950s and 1960s. He encouraged his University of Kansas peers to compose for the carillon, and he produced many of his own compositions.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=289}} Barnes' campaign was most successful with [[Roy Hamlin Johnson]], a piano professor who introduced a whole category of music exclusively native to the carillon featuring the [[octatonic scale]].{{sfn|Keldermans|Keldermans|1996|p=164}} Many of Johnson's works are acknowledged as [[masterpiece]]s.{{sfn|Gouwens|2017|p=140}} Barnes produced 56 original compositions and hundreds of arrangements to expand the available repertoire. Other major 20th-century contributors were Albert Gerken, Gary C. White, Johan Franco, [[John Pozdro]], and Jean W. Miller.{{sfnm|1a1=Barnes|1y=1987|1p=31|2a1=Keldermans|2a2=Keldermans|2y=1996|2pp=163–65}} The new American style developed into the antithesis of the Mechelen style; instead of exciting, tremolo-filled performances that demonstrate the showmanship of the carillonneur, it features slow passages, sparse harmonies, and impressionist themes to draw the listener's attention to the natural sound of the bells.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=290–91}}

[[File:Giedrius Kuprevicius by Augustas Didzgalvis.jpg|thumb|Carillonist near console of [[Kaunas Carillon]], Lithuania]]

Carillon music was first published in North America in 1934. [[G.&nbsp;Schirmer, Inc.]] published the compositions of [[Curtis Institute of Music]] students [[Samuel Barber]], [[Gian Carlo Menotti]], and [[Nino Rota]] as part of the institute's short-lived publishing series.{{sfn|De Turk|1999|p=53}} The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America opened the first dedicated [[publishing house]] for carillon music in North America in 1961.{{sfn|Gouwens|2017|p=143}} In 1968, the [[Anton Brees Carillon Library]] was established at [[Bok Tower Gardens]] in [[Lake Wales, Florida]], US; it contains large collections of carillon music and related materials.<ref>{{cite web |title=Library & Archives |website=[[Anton Brees Carillon Library]] |publisher=[[Bok Tower Gardens]] |url=https://boktowergardens.org/library/ |access-date=2021-05-30 |archive-date=2021-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213237/https://boktowergardens.org/library/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the late 2010s, [[University of Michigan]] professor [[Tiffany Ng]] analyzed the diversity of the carillon repertoire. In a [[Bibliographic index|bibliography]] focusing on [[African-American music]] and composers, Ng claims, "while African-American music permeates the carillon repertoire," mostly in the form of [[spirituals]], "almost none of the carillon arrangements and compositions are authored by African Americans."{{sfn|Ng|2021|p=2}} In a second bibliography with Emmet Lewis focusing on women, [[transgender]], and [[non-binary]] composers, they assert that while many works have been written by these groups, they are often not published through traditional means, and "[[gender inequality]] remains systemic and common practice in carillon concerts."{{sfn|Ng|Lewis|2020|p=1}}

===Performances===
{{Category see also|Carillonneurs}}

[[File:Prelude in F by Matthias Vanden Gheyn played at St. Rumbold's Cathedral.webm|thumb|A carillonneur plays Prelude No. 9 by [[Matthias Vanden&nbsp;Gheyn]] at [[St. Rumbold's Cathedral]] in [[Mechelen]], Belgium]]

Performances on the carillon are commonly categorized as either [[Concert#Recital|recital]]s or [[concert]]s.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=315}} Carillon recitals are traditional performances that take place on fixed schedules throughout the week. They may supplement regularly scheduled events, or take place at the convenience of the carillonneur. Traditional since the instrument's inception, this method is the foundation of carillon performance.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=315, 317}} Concerts refer to special carillon performances, typically featuring a [[Concert program|program]] and a place for the audience to sit and listen. Some carillonneurs may [[livestream]] the event so the audience can watch them at the keyboard.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=315}} The first carillon concert was held on 1&nbsp;August 1892 as part of Jef Denyn's Monday-evening concert series.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=181, 315}}

The lack of consistent interest in traditional performances among the general public has caused carillonneurs to engage in musical collaborations and experiments, collectively referred to as "Carillon Plus". Carillonneur duos explore the possibility of [[duet]] playing and producing new music for the configuration. Others seek to play the carillon in [[orchestra]]s, [[Concert band|bands]], and other [[Musical ensemble|ensembles]]. Carillon Plus performances are not new, but have been explored more intensely since the mid-20th century.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=316}}

==Organization and education==
The World Carillon Federation is the central organization of carillon players and enthusiasts. It is a federation of pre-existing regional, national, and supranational carillon organizations.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=312}} {{As of|2025|post=,}} it is composed of 15 member organizations:{{sfn|"Organization." World Carillon Federation}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Carillon Association Luxembourg
* Carillon Society of Australia
* Carillon Society of Britain and Ireland
* Confraternity of Bell Ringers and Carillonists of Catalonia
* Flemish Carillon Association
* German Carillon Association
* Guild of Carillonneurs and Campanologists of Switzerland
* The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America
* Guild of Carillonneurs of France
* Lithuanian Carillonist Guild
* Nordic Society for Campanology and Carillons
* Polish Carillon Association
* Royal Dutch Carillon Association
* Russian Carillon Foundation
* Walloon Carillon Association
{{div col end}}

Every three years, the federation hosts an international congress in a home country of one of the member organizations. The congresses host lectures, workshops, and committee meetings about the topics related to the carillon, for example: news, tutorials and demonstrations, and research developments.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=313}} Most member organizations give periodic updates to their members on the state of carillon culture in their respective regions.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=313}}

[[File:Koninklijke Beiaardschool Jef Denyn Mechelen 20-3-2018.jpg|thumb|alt=A yellow brick building with a blue roof|The [[Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn"]] in 2018]]

Training to perform on a carillon can be obtained at several institutions, though the Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn" has been the most popular.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=313}} The [[LUCA School of Arts]] in [[Leuven]], Belgium, offers a [[master's degree]] in the carillon, and the [[Utrecht School of the Arts]] in [[Amersfoort]], Netherlands, has a dedicated school.<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon |publisher=Utrecht School of the Arts |url=http://www.hku.nl/web/English/English/Bachelors/BachelorOfMusic/Carillon.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018141634/http://www.hku.nl/web/English/English/Bachelors/BachelorOfMusic/Carillon.htm}}</ref> The {{ill|Scandinavian Carillon School|da|Scandinavian Carillon School|no}} is located in Denmark,<ref>{{cite web |title=Løgum Kloster Kirkemusikskole |publisher=Locus Dei |url=http://www.locus-dei.dk/kms/ |access-date=2021-05-02 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070731135548/http://www.locus-dei.dk/kms/}}</ref> and there are schools in the United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillonneur: Trevor Workman |publisher=Bournville Carillon |url=https://www.bournvillecarillon.co.uk/trevor-workman |access-date=2021-02-02 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024123258/https://www.bournvillecarillon.co.uk/trevor-workman}}</ref> and France.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Une école pour apprendre à jouer du carillon à Pamiers |trans-title=A School to Learn to Play the Carillon in Pamiers |date=2018-06-22 |work=[[La Dépêche du Midi]] |language=fr |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2018/06/22/2822593-des-cours-de-carillon.html |access-date=2023-08-03 |url-status=live |archive-date=2019-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404014430/https://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2018/06/22/2822593-des-cours-de-carillon.html}}</ref>

The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America organizes carillon examinations during its annual congresses. Those who pass are certified as carillonneur-members of the guild. It also partners with the North American Carillon School, founded in 2012 as an affiliate of the Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn".{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=313}}{{sfn|"Learn to Play." The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America}} Several American universities offer a carillon program within their curriculum.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=313}} For example, the [[University of California, Berkeley]];<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon Study |website=Berkeley Music |date=2014-02-28 |publisher=[[University of California, Berkeley]] |url=https://music.berkeley.edu/performance-opportunities/carillon-study/ |access-date=2021-02-03 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810083229/https://music.berkeley.edu/performance-opportunities/carillon-study/}}</ref> the [[University of California, Santa Barbara]];<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon |website=Department of Music |publisher=[[University of California, Santa Barbara]] |url=https://www.music.ucsb.edu/ensembles/carillon |access-date=2021-02-03 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126045729/https://music.ucsb.edu/ensembles/carillon}}</ref> the [[University of Denver]];<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon Studio |website=Lamont School of Music |publisher=[[University of Denver]] |url=https://liberalarts.du.edu/lamont/academics/carillon-studio |access-date=2021-02-03 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203150355/https://liberalarts.du.edu/lamont/academics/carillon-studio}}</ref> the [[University of Florida]];<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon Studio |website=College of the Arts |publisher=[[University of Florida]] |url=https://arts.ufl.edu/sites/carillon-studio/welcome/ |access-date=2021-02-03 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811183906/https://arts.ufl.edu/sites/carillon-studio/welcome/}}</ref> and the University of Michigan<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon Studio |website=U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance |publisher=[[University of Michigan]] |url=https://smtd.umich.edu/current-students-3/carillon-studio/ |access-date=2021-02-03 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211010454/https://smtd.umich.edu/current-students-3/carillon-studio/}}</ref> offer complete courses of study. [[Clemson University]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Keyboard Studies |website=Department of Performing Arts |publisher=[[Clemson University]] |url=https://www.clemson.edu/caah/departments/performing-arts/students/Music/Keyboard/index.html |access-date=2021-08-19 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214101727/https://www.clemson.edu/caah/departments/performing-arts/students/Music/Keyboard/index.html}}</ref> [[Indiana University]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Applied Carillon Study at the Jacobs School of Music |website=IU Jacobs School of Music |publisher=[[Indiana University]] |url=https://blogs.iu.edu/jsomorgan/applied-carillon-study/ |access-date=2021-04-22 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422021804/https://blogs.iu.edu/jsomorgan/applied-carillon-study/}}</ref> [[Iowa State University]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Edgar W. and Margaret MacDonald Stanton Memorial Carillon |website=Department of Music and Theatre |publisher=[[Iowa State University]] |url=https://www.music.iastate.edu/carillon |access-date=2021-02-03 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127055813/https://www.music.iastate.edu/carillon}}</ref> the University of Kansas,<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon Recitals |website=School of Music |date=2013-07-26 |publisher=[[University of Kansas]] |url=https://music.ku.edu/organ/carillon/recitals |access-date=2021-02-03 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919001456/http://music.ku.edu/organ/carillon/recitals}}</ref> and [[Marquette University]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Carillon Discovery Course |website=Diederich College of Communication |publisher=[[Marquette University]] |url=https://www.marquette.edu/communication/carillon-discovery-course.php |access-date=2021-02-03 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126220237/https://www.marquette.edu/communication/carillon-discovery-course.php}}</ref> offer limited [[Course credit|credit]] for carillon performance. Employed carillonneurs will often offer private lessons at their carillons.{{sfn|"Learn to Play." The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America}} Universities that possess a carillon but do not offer course credit often have a student organization or education program, such as the Yale Guild of Carillonneurs, which manages performances on the [[Yale Memorial Carillon]],<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Guild |publisher=Yale Guild of Carillonneurs |url=http://yalecarillon.org/about-guild |access-date=2021-02-08 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208192357/http://yalecarillon.org/about-guild}}</ref> and the University of Chicago Guild of Carillonists.

[[Music competition]]s for carillon are held regularly, with the international [[Queen Fabiola Competition]] being the most important.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=313}}

==Distribution==
{{main list|List of carillons}}
[[File:Carillonneur.jpg|thumb|upright|Carillonneur Brian Swager plays the traditional carillon at the Cathedral Saint-Jean-Baptiste (John the Baptist) in [[Perpignan]], France.]]
Several institutions register and count carillons worldwide. Some registries specialize in counting specific types of carillons. For example, the War Memorial and Peace Carillons registry counts instruments that serve as [[war memorial]]s or were built in the name of promoting world peace.<ref name=WMPC>{{cite web |title=World map of peace carillons |publisher=Network of War Memorial and Peace Carillons |url=https://www.peacecarillons.org/world-map-of-peace-carillons/ |access-date=2021-02-04 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219035606/https://www.peacecarillons.org/world-map-of-peace-carillons/}}</ref> TowerBells counts carillons played via a baton keyboard as "traditional carillons" and those with computerized or electronic mechanisms as "non-traditional carillons", among other bell instruments. It also publishes maps, technical specifications, and summary statistics.<ref name="TowerBells About">{{cite web |title=More About Carillons and Other Tower Bell Instruments |website=TowerBells.org |url=http://www.towerbells.org/data/Data_Top.html |access-date=2021-02-04 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126034723/http://towerbells.org/data/Data_Top.html}}</ref> As the World Carillon Federation does not consider non-traditional carillons to be carillons, it counts only those which are played via a baton keyboard and without computerized or electronic mechanisms.<ref name="WCF carillon list">{{cite web |title=Carillons |publisher=World Carillon Federation |url=http://www.carillon.org/eng/fs_carillon.htm |access-date=2021-01-30 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111190849/https://www.carillon.org/eng/fs_carillon.htm }}</ref>{{sfn|"Organization." World Carillon Federation}}

According to TowerBells and the World Carillon Federation,  [[List of carillons|about 700 traditional carillons]] exist. At least three can be found on every continent except Antarctica; however, of the countries in which traditional carillons can be found, only six have more than 20.{{sfn|"Indexes to Traditional Carillons Around the World." ''TowerBells.org''}}<ref name="WCF carillon list"/> The "great carillon" countries{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=309}}—the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States—account for two-thirds of the world total. Over 90% are in either Western Europe (mainly the Low Countries) or North America. In North America, about 80% of carillons are owned by religious or educational institutions,<ref name="TowerBells NA Owner Type">{{cite web |title=North American traditional carillons by type of institution |website=TowerBells.org |url=http://www.towerbells.org/data/IXNATRinstype.html |access-date=2021-04-28 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903024555/http://www.towerbells.org/data/IXNATRinstype.html}}</ref> while in Europe, nearly all carillons are municipally owned.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lee |first=Roy |title=From the President's Corner |magazine=Carillon News |issue=105 |date=April 2021 |page=3 |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/resources/Documents/Carillon-News-2021-04.pdf |access-date=2021-05-05 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505144025/https://www.gcna.org/resources/Documents/Carillon-News-2021-04.pdf}}</ref> Almost all extant traditional carillons were constructed in the last 100 years; only some 50 historical carillons from the 18th century or earlier still exist.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=310}} According to TowerBells, there are another 483 non-traditional carillons, which are located mainly in the United States and Western Europe.{{sfn|"Indexes to Non-traditional Carillons Around the World." ''TowerBells.org''}}

[[File:National Carillon, Canberra ACT.jpg|thumb|alt=A large white brick tower standing by a lake|The [[National Carillon]], a 57-bell carillon in [[Canberra]], Australia]]
[[File:Netherlands carillon.jpg|thumb|alt=A rectangular tower made of steel beams and panels|The [[Netherlands Carillon]], a 53-bell carillon in [[Arlington County, Virginia]], US]]
[[File:Parlement d'Ottawa.jpg|thumb|alt=A tall, stone brick tower with a large clock|The [[Peace Tower]] in [[Ottawa, Ontario]], Canada, home to a 53-bell carillon]]
[[File:150607 Carillon Berlin Tiergarten.jpg|thumb|alt=A brown, square tower|The [[Carillon in Berlin-Tiergarten]], a 68-bell carillon in [[Berlin]], Germany]]

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: right; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
|+ {{sronly|List of carillons by country}}
|-
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Country
! scope="col" colspan=2 | Traditional carillons
! scope="col" rowspan=2 | Non-traditional<br />carillons per {{abbr|TB|TowerBells.org}}{{sfn|"Indexes to Non-traditional Carillons Around the World." ''TowerBells.org''}}
|-
! scope="col" | Per {{abbr|WCF|World Carillon Federation}}<ref name="WCF carillon list"/>
! scope="col" | Per {{abbr|TB|TowerBells.org}}{{sfn|"Indexes to Traditional Carillons Around the World." ''TowerBells.org''}}
|-
! scope="row" | [[Algeria]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Argentina]]
| 0
| 0
| 5
|-
! scope="row" | [[Australia]] ([[List of carillons in Australia|list]])
| 3
| 3
| 3
|-
! scope="row" | [[Austria]]
| 2
| 2
| 5
|-
! scope="row" | [[Belgium]] ([[List of carillons in Belgium|list]])
| 93
| 97
| 24
|-
! scope="row" | [[Bermuda]] (''[[British Overseas Territories|UK]]'')
| 0
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
| 0
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Brazil]]
| 2
| 3
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Canada]]
| 11
| 11
| 7
|-
! scope="row" | [[Canary Islands]] (''[[Spain]]'')
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Chile]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[China]]
| 0
| 1
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Cuba]]
| 0
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Curaçao]] (''[[Kingdom of the Netherlands|Netherlands]]''){{NoteTag|TowerBells still uses the former name ''[[Netherlands Antilles]]'' to tally instruments in this country.}}
| 1
| 1
| 3
|-
! scope="row" | [[Czech Republic]]
| 0
| 2
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[DR Congo]]{{NoteTag|TowerBells still uses the former name ''[[Zaire]]'' to tally instruments in this country.}}
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Denmark]]
| 28
| 29
| 20
|-
! scope="row" | [[Dominican Republic]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Egypt]]
| 0
| 1
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[El Salvador]]
| 0
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[England]] (''[[Countries of the United Kingdom|UK]]''; [[List of carillons in England|list]])
| 8
| 9
| 8
|-
! scope="row" | [[Estonia]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Finland]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[France]]
| 72
| 61
| 19
|-
! scope="row" | [[Germany]] ([[List of carillons in Germany|list]])
| 48
| 48
| 113
|-
! scope="row" | [[Greece]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Greenland]] (''[[Danish Realm|Denmark]]'')
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Guatemala]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Honduras]]
| 0
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Hong Kong]] (''[[China]]'')
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Hungary]]
| 0
| 0
| 2
|-
! scope="row" | [[Iceland]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] ([[List of carillons in the Republic of Ireland|list]])
| 1
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Israel]]
| 1
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Italy]]
| 0
| 0
| 4
|-
! scope="row" | [[Japan]]
| 3
| 3
| 5
|-
! scope="row" | [[Liberia]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Lithuania]]
| 3
| 2
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Luxembourg]]
| 1
| 1
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Mexico]]
| 3
| 2
| 7
|-
! scope="row" | [[Mozambique]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Netherlands]]
| 184
| 191
| 63
|-
! scope="row" | [[New Zealand]] ([[List of carillons in New Zealand|list]])
| 1
| 1
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Nicaragua]]
| 0
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Northern Ireland]] (''[[Countries of the United Kingdom|UK]]''; [[List of carillons in Northern Ireland|list]])
| 1
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Norway]]
| 12
| 11
| 2
|-
! scope="row" | [[Peru]]
| 0
| 0
| 2
|-
! scope="row" | [[Philippines]]
| 1
| 1
| 2
|-
! scope="row" | [[Poland]]
| 2
| 3
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Portugal]]
| 3
| 6
| 2
|-
! scope="row" | [[Puerto Rico]] (''[[Territories of the United States|US]]'')
| 0
| 0
| 2
|-
! scope="row" | [[Réunion]] (''[[Overseas France|France]]'')
| 1
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Russia]]
| 2
| 3
| 4
|-
! scope="row" | [[Scotland]] (''[[Countries of the United Kingdom|UK]]''; [[List of carillons in Scotland|list]])
| 5
| 5
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Serbia]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Singapore]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[South Africa]]
| 1
| 3
| 3
|-
! scope="row" | [[South Korea]]
| 1
| 1
| 3
|-
! scope="row" | [[Spain]]
| 4
| 5
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Suriname]]
| 0
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Sweden]]
| 14
| 15
| 13
|-
! scope="row" | [[Switzerland]]
| 5
| 6
| 7
|-
! scope="row" | [[Ukraine]]
| 1
| 6
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[United States]] ([[List of carillons in the United States|list]])
| 171
| 175
| 145
|-
! scope="row" | [[Uruguay]]
| 0
| 1
| 1
|-
! scope="row" | [[Venezuela]]
| 0
| 1
| 0
|-
! scope="row" | [[Zimbabwe]]
| 0
| 0
| 1
|- style="background: #eaecf0;" class="sortbottom"
! scope="row" | '''World'''
| '''689'''
| '''721'''
| '''500'''
|}

==Traveling carillons==
<!-- Six redirect pages link to this section title. Please no not change it without also fixing the redirects: [[Traveling carillon]], [[Traveling carillons]], [[Travelling carillons]], [[Travelling carillon]], [[Mobile carillon]], and [[Mobile carillons]]. -->
[[File:Carillon small portable.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.14|alt=A small metal frame with bells and a carillon keyboard attached.|One of the [[Cast in Bronze]] traveling carillons at the [[Colorado Renaissance Festival]] in June 2008]]

Traveling or mobile carillons are those which are not housed in a tower. Instead, the bells and playing console are installed on a frame that allows it to be transported. These carillons have to be much lighter than their non-mobile counterparts.{{sfn|Widmann|2014|p=12}} [[Nora Johnston]] conceived the idea of a traveling carillon between 1933 and 1938. She connected a traditional baton keyboard to a system of [[chime bar]]s and fixed the structure to a portable frame. Johnston traveled twice to the United States to perform in [[radio documentaries]], orchestral concerts, and commercials.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|pp=245–46}} Subsequent constructions by others used actual carillon bells.{{sfn|Widmann|2014|pp=15–19}}

According to counts by the World Carillon Federation<ref name="WCF mobile carillon list">{{cite web |title=Traveling Carillons |publisher=World Carillon Federation |url=http://www.carillon.org/eng/fs_reizende.htm |access-date=2021-01-31 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207201543/http://www.carillon.org/eng/fs_reizende.htm}}</ref> and TowerBells,<ref name="TowerBells Traveling Carillons">{{cite web |title=Traveling Carillons and Chimes Worldwide |website=TowerBells.org |url=http://www.towerbells.org/data/IXtraveling.html |access-date=2021-04-28 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713230842/http://www.towerbells.org/data/IXtraveling.html}}</ref> there are about 20 existing traveling carillons with only three being non-traditional. Many were or are owned by bell foundries as a promotional tool. Almost all traveling carillons are headquartered in Western Europe and the United States. Two American traveling carillons are part of the musical group [[Cast in Bronze]], which features the "Spirit of the Bells" playing the carillon in concert with other instruments or a recording. Cast in Bronze is credited with introducing the carillon to the United States' public in its mission to promote and preserve the instrument.{{sfn|Rombouts|2014|p=316}}

==See also==
{{Further|Index of campanology articles}}
{{Portal|Music}}
* ''[[Bianzhong]]'', an Eastern instrument having clapperless bells that are struck with hammers
* {{lang|it|[[Canpanò]]}}{{snd}}Italian bell ringing
* [[Electronic carillon]]
* [[Full circle ringing]]
** [[Bolognese bell ringing]]
** [[Change ringing]]
** [[Veronese bell ringing]]
* [[Russian Orthodox bell ringing]]

==Notes==
{{NoteFoot}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin|indent=yes}}

===Books===
* {{cite book |last=Chesman |first=Jeremy |title=Making Music on the Carillon |year=2015 |publisher=American Carillon Music Editions |oclc=917521619}}
* {{Cite book |last=Del Mar |first=Norman |author-link=Norman Del Mar |title=Anatomy of the Orchestra |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |year=1983 |isbn=0-520-04500-9 |edition=2nd  |oclc=10561390}}
* {{cite book |last=Gouwens |first=John |title=Campanology: A Study of Bells, with an Emphasis on the Carillon |year=2013 |publisher=North American Carillon School |isbn=978-1-4840-3766-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Gouwens |first=John |title=Playing the Carillon: An Introductory Method |year=2017 |edition=5th |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |oclc=765849175}}
* {{cite book |last=Johnston |first=Ronald J. |title=Bell-ringing: The English Art of Change-ringing |year=1986 |publisher=[[Viking Press]] |isbn=978-0-670-80176-3 |ol=OL2328271M}}
* {{cite book |author-last1=Keldermans |author-first1=Karel |author-last2=Keldermans |author-first2=Linda |title=Carillon: The Evolution of a Concert Instrument in North America |year=1996 |publisher=[[Springfield Park District]] |isbn=0-9652252-0-8 |ol=1024319M }}
* {{cite book |last=Lehr |first=André |title=Campanology Textbook: The Musical and Technical Aspect of Swinging Bells and Carillons |language=nl |translator-last=Schafer |translator-first=Kimberly |year=2005 |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |oclc=154672090 |url=https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |access-date=2021-07-26 |archive-date=2021-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210124235/https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Price |first=Percival |title=Bells and Man |year=1983 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-318103-8}}
* {{cite book |last=Rice |first=William Gorham |author-link=William Gorham Rice |title=Carillons of Belgium and Holland: Tower Music in the Low Countries |year=1914 |publisher=[[John Lane Company]] |hdl=2027/uc2.ark:/13960/t5p84727t}}
* Rombouts, Luc. Article 'Carillon', The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000, part 5, pp.&nbsp;128–134. 
* {{cite book |last=Rombouts |first=Luc |author-link=Luc Rombouts |title=Singing Bronze: A History of Carillon Music |year=2014 |publisher=[[Leuven University Press]] |translator=Communicationwise |isbn=978-90-5867-956-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jQ-RCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA111 |access-date=2021-06-29 |archive-date=2016-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617175303/https://books.google.com/books?id=jQ-RCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA111 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite thesis |last=Swager |first=Brian |title=A History of the Carillon: Its Origins, Development, and Evolution as a Musical Instrument |year=1993 |type=DMus |publisher=[[Indiana University]] |oclc=53120808 |url=http://www.allegrofuoco.com/media/SWAGER.I.U.Document.1993.pdf |access-date=2021-07-25 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725200535/http://www.allegrofuoco.com/media/SWAGER.I.U.Document.1993.pdf }}

===Magazines and journals===
* {{cite journal |last=Barnes |first=Ronald |author-link=Ronald Barnes (carillonist) |title=The North American Carillon Movement |journal=The Bulletin |volume=36 |issue=1 |date=1987 |pages=20–37 |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |format=PDF |access-date=2021-07-03 |url-access=subscription |oclc=998832003 |archive-date=2021-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210124235/https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |url-status=live }}
* {{cite journal |last=Barnes |first=Ronald |author-link=Ronald Barnes (carillonist) |title=Carillonist, not Carillonneur |journal=The Bulletin |volume=63 |issue=1 |date=1979-03-29 |publication-date=2014 |pages=41–42 |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |format=PDF |access-date=2021-07-03 |url-access=subscription |oclc=998832003 |ref={{harvid|Barnes|2014}} |archive-date=2021-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210124235/https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |url-status=live }}
* {{cite magazine |last=Brink |first=Joey |title=Composing for Carillon |magazine=[[NewMusicBox]] |date=2017-12-19 |url=https://nmbx.newmusicusa.org/composing-for-carillon/ |access-date=2021-04-13 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402155038/https://nmbx.newmusicusa.org/composing-for-carillon/ }}
* {{cite journal |last=De Turk |first=William |title=Barber, Menotti, Rota: Carillon Composers in Residence |journal=The Bulletin |volume=48 |issue=1 |date=1999 |pages=53–65 |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |format=PDF |access-date=2021-07-03 |url-access=subscription |oclc=998832003 |archive-date=2021-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210124235/https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |url-status=live }}
* {{cite magazine |last=Halsted |first=Margo |title=What's in a Name? |magazine=Carillon News |issue=88 |date=November 2012 |page=10 |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/resources/Documents/Carillon-News-2012-11.pdf |access-date=2021-07-03 |oclc=1120054332 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524130945/https://www.gcna.org/resources/Documents/Carillon-News-2012-11.pdf }}
* {{cite journal |last=Slater |first=James B. |title=A Register of Honorary Members, 1936–1996 |journal=The Bulletin |volume=52 |issue=1 |date=2003 |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |format=PDF |access-date=2021-07-03 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |oclc=998832003 |archive-date=2021-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210124235/https://www.gcna.org/bulletin }}
* {{cite magazine |last=Thorne |first=Stephen J. |title=The Seizing of Europe's Bells |magazine=Legion |date=2018-11-21 |url=https://legionmagazine.com/en/2018/11/the-seizing-of-europes-bells/ |access-date=2021-04-14 |oclc=1120054332 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126183404/https://legionmagazine.com/en/2018/11/the-seizing-of-europes-bells/ }}
* {{cite journal |last=Van Ulft |first=Carlo |title=Carillon Music: An Evolution |journal=The Bulletin |volume=69 |issue=1 |date=2020 |pages=32–36 |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |format=PDF |access-date=2021-07-03 |url-access=subscription |oclc=998832003 |archive-date=2021-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210124235/https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |url-status=live }}
* {{cite journal |last=Widmann |first=John |title=World Carillon Federation: Mobile Carillons |journal=The Bulletin |volume=63 |issue=2 |date=2014 |pages=12–19 |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |format=PDF |access-date=2021-07-03 |url-access=subscription |oclc=998832003 |archive-date=2021-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210124235/https://www.gcna.org/bulletin |url-status=live }}

===Internet===
* {{cite encyclopedia |title=Carillon |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia Britannica]] |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/carillon |access-date=2021-04-13 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2021-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210204014/https://www.britannica.com/art/carillon |ref={{sfnRef|"Carillon." ''Encyclopaedia Britannica''}} |date= }}
* {{cite web |title=Carillon |publisher=[[Merriam-Webster Online]] |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carillon |access-date=2021-07-19 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313021153/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carillon |ref={{sfnRef|"Carillon." Merriam-Webster Online}} }}
* {{cite OED|Carillon|access-date=2021-02-16|ref={{sfnRef|"Carillon." ''Oxford English Dictionary''}}}}
* {{cite web |title=Carillonneur |publisher=[[Merriam-Webster Online]] |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carillonneur |access-date=2021-06-29 |url-status=live |archive-date=2020-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813125514/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carillonneur |ref={{sfnRef|"Carillonneur." Merriam-Webster Online}} }}
* {{cite report |last1=Courter |first1=John |author-link1=John Courter |last2=Hurd |first2=Timothy |last3=Janssens |first3=Liesbeth |last4=Macoska |first4=Patrick |last5=Oldenbeuving |first5=Gert |last6=van Wely |first6=Bob |title=Consensus on technical norms for a world standard carillon keyboard WCF Keyboard 2006 |year=2006  |publisher=World Carillon Federation |url=http://www.carillon.org/pdf/Technical_Norms.pdf |access-date=2021-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-date=2016-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117233716/http://www.carillon.org/pdf/Technical_Norms.pdf |ref={{harvid|Courter et al.|2006}} }}
* {{cite web |title=Indexes to Non-traditional Carillons Around the World |website=TowerBells.org |url=http://www.towerbells.org/data/NT_type_ixs.html |access-date=2021-05-04 |ref={{sfnRef|"Indexes to Non-traditional Carillons Around the World." ''TowerBells.org''}} |archive-date=2021-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505001843/http://www.towerbells.org/data/NT_type_ixs.html |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |title=Indexes to Traditional Carillons Around the World |website=TowerBells.org |url=http://www.towerbells.org/data/TR_type_ixs.html |access-date=2023-12-01 |ref={{sfnRef|"Indexes to Traditional Carillons Around the World." ''TowerBells.org''}} |archive-date=2022-05-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531194027/http://www.towerbells.org/data/TR_type_ixs.html |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |title=Learn to Play |publisher=[[The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]] |url=https://www.gcna.org/carillon-education |access-date=2021-02-16 |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123212406/https://www.gcna.org/carillon-education |ref={{sfnRef|"Learn to Play." The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America}} }}
* {{cite report |last=Ng |first=Tiffany |title=Annotated Bibliography of African American Carillon Music |date=2021-02-03 |orig-date=First published 26 November 2018 |publisher=[[University of Michigan Library#Michigan Publishing|University of Michigan Library]] |via=DeepBlue |hdl=2027.42/146525 |url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/146525/Ng%20Af-Am%20bibliography%203rd%20ed%2002-2021.pdf?sequence=7&isAllowed=y |access-date=2021-07-24 |archive-date=2021-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722230226/https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/146525/Ng%20Af-Am%20bibliography%203rd%20ed%2002-2021.pdf?sequence=7&isAllowed=y |url-status=live }}
* {{cite report |last1=Ng |first1=Tiffany |last2=Lewis |first2=Emmet |title=International Bibliography of Carillon Music by Women, Transgender, and Nonbinary Composers |date=2020-04-30 |publisher=[[University of Michigan Library#Michigan Publishing|University of Michigan Library]] |via=DeepBlue |hdl=2027.42/153530 |url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/153530/Ng_Lewis_Womxn_carillon%20composers_v1-2.pdf?sequence=6&isAllowed=y |access-date=2021-07-24 |archive-date=2021-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613192929/https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/153530/Ng_Lewis_Womxn_carillon%20composers_v1-2.pdf?sequence=6&isAllowed=y |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |title=Organization |publisher=World Carillon Federation |url=http://www.carillon.org/eng/fs_orga.htm |access-date=2025-06-20 |url-status=live |archive-date=2022-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107145949/http://www.carillon.org/eng/fs_orga.htm |ref={{sfnRef|"Organization." World Carillon Federation}} }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|display=Carillon|d=Q505174|commons=yes|commonscat=yes|wikt=carillon|s=Category:Carillon|b=no|v=no|n=no}}
* English-speaking carillon organizations
** [http://www.carillon.org/ World Carillon Federation]
** [http://www.carillonsbi.org/ Carillon Society of Britain and Ireland]
** [http://carillon.org.au Carillon Society of Australia]
** [http://www.gcna.org/ The Guild of Carillonneurs in North America]
* [https://northamericancarillonschool.com North American Carillon School]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouq1vuFRJSQ Short educational video] about the carillon from the World Carillon Federation
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WcghSgKb9I Short video tutorial] on composing for the carillon
* [https://www.arrangingforcarillon.com Tutorial website] on arranging for the carillon
* [https://www.museumklokenpeel.nl {{lang|nl|Museum Klok en Peel}}] (Carillon museum in the Netherlands)

{{Bells}}
{{Musical keyboards}}
{{Percussion}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Baroque instruments]]
[[Category:Belgian musical instruments]]
[[Category:Bells (percussion)]]
[[Category:Campanology]]
[[Category:Carillons| ]]
[[Category:Dutch musical instruments]]
[[Category:French musical instruments]]
[[Category:Keyboard instruments]]
[[Category:Keyboard percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Mechanical musical instruments]]
[[Category:Percussion idiophones]]
[[Category:Pitched percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Transposing instruments]]
[[Category:Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Brussels]]
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