About Us

The bells atop Rush Rhees Library, collectively called a carillon, are played daily by students and faculty, making ours the most actively played carillon in New York State. Although a few bells automatically chime every 15 minutes throughout the day, all other bell music is played live and entirely mechanically by real people in the library dome. As players of a public instrument, we’re committed to playing a wide variety of music that represents and engages all community members.

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Playing Schedule and Tours

Carillon recitals are played Monday–Thursday at 1:45–2 p.m. and 4:40–4:50 p.m., when classes are in session during the fall and spring semesters. Free interior tower tours coincide with the vast majority of these recitals, departing promptly at 1:30 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. from the Q&i desk of Rush Rhees Library.

All are welcome to join these tours on a first come, first served basis. To participate, simply arrive early and announce yourself to the Q&i desk staff so they can connect you with the host carillonists. You may also register for a tour to guarantee your place (if you arrive on time) and avoid dates that are already full or when no tours offered. See the registration page for full information.

We also accept suggestions of songs to play on the bells.

Register for a tower tourSuggest a song

Concerts and Rehearsal

Longer themed concerts are presented for special occasions, usually on weekdays at 5 p.m. The summer concert series features guests from around the country and the world for concerts enjoyed by the whole community (typically on certain Mondays in July and August at 6:30 p.m.).

Open rehearsal takes place 4:50–9 p.m. on weekdays and noon–9 p.m. on weekends. Lessons and workshops occasionally take place before 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Meet the Players

Members of the carillon studio visit Cornell University
Members of the fall 2025 carillon studio visit the Cornell University chimes.

Alumni

Many URochester alumni have gone on to great success in the carillon field.

Performers
  • Kayla Gunderson ’23 is a freelance carillonist in Chicago.
  • Claire Janezic ’22 is a finalist of the 2024 International Queen Fabiola Carillon Competition and faculty member of the Royal Carillon School in Belgium
  • Alex Johnson ’19 is University Carillonist at the University of Chicago, winner of the 2019 International Queen Fabiola Carillon Competition in Belgium, and a carillon composer.
  • Dr. Tiffany Ng ’08E (MM) is Associate Professor of Music and University Carillonist at the University of Michigan.
  • Dr. James Fackenthal ’83 is carillonist of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in Chicago and assistant carillonist of the Millenium Carillon in Naperville, IL.
  • Janet Tebbel ’78E (MM) is carillonist of First United Methodist Church and Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia.
  • Charlie Zettek ’73, ’80 (MS) is a carillonist, composer, and sponsor, with his wife Judy, of the Rochester Carillon Composition Award.
  • Laura Hewitt Whipple (née Howard, 1920–2005) 40E, ‘42E (MA) was University Carillonneur at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, as well as a prolific composer and arranger of carillon music. Her pioneering study of ragtime was profiled in the Eastman Journal.
Composers
  • Connor Chee ’09E is a Diné (Navajo) composer and pianist known for blending Western classical music with the rich cultural heritage of the Navajo people; at Tiffany Ng's invitation, he became the first Indigenous person to be commissioned to compose music for the carillon.
  • Dr. Aaron David Miller ’95E is an organist, improvisor, and composer serving as Director of Music at House of Hope Presbyterian Church (St. Paul, MN).
  • Stephen Rush ’83E (MM) ’85E (DMA) is Professor of Performing Arts Technology at the University of Michigan; his complete carillon compositions were featured on the album Dark Matters, performed by Tiffany Ng. 
  • Roy Hamlin Johnson (1929–2020) ’49E, ’51E (MM), ’61E (DMA) was an influential carillon composer, professor, and pianist who taught at the University of Kansas and elsewhere.
  • Emma Lou Diemer (1927-2024) ’60E (PhD) was Professor of Composition at UC Santa Barbara and wrote extensively for choir, organ, and carillon.
  • Mary Jeanne van Appledorn (1927–2014) ’48E, ’50E (MM), ’66E (DMA) was Professor of Music at Texas Tech University.
  • Herbert Colvin (1923–2011) ’58E (PhD) was a professor of piano, theory, and carillon at Baylor University.
  • John Pozdro (1923–2009) ’58E (PhD) was Professor of Composition at the University of Kansas and an award-winning composer of carillon music.
  • Robert Lee Moore (1921–2019) ’49E (MM) was Organist/Director of Music at First Unitarian Church in Oklahoma City.