Summer Quarter Carillon Tower Tour

The Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon and its sister instrument at Riverside Church in New York City, both dating from the early 1930s, were the masterworks of the Gillett & Johnston bell foundry of Croydon, England. Carillons of this size had never before been made, and have not been made again since that time. The Chicago instrument, comprising 72 bells and 100 tons of bronze, is the single largest musical instrument ever built. Its bells were cast over a three-year period and include a massive 18.5 ton bourdon sounding a low C#. In 271 steps we can show you the bells from the perspective of our carillon students and peregrine falcons! The spiral stone staircase is taken at a leisurely pace, and is not recommended for those who are claustrophobic. Along the way you’ll walk above the Chapel’s false ceiling (the attic, via a catwalk), through the mechanical room housing the original carillon regulator clock as well as the pneumatically-driven mechanism of the quarter and hour chimes, past the largest bell (36,926 lbs at 117 inches in diameter) and its 13 friends, and then into the playing cabin, 240 of the 271 steps up, where the carillonneur plays the mighty instrument. Beyond the cabin, another short winding staircase leads the way to the top of the tower. In season and when permitted by the University, magnificent 360-degree views of Chicago, Lake Michigan, northern Indiana, the Michigan Harbor Country shoreline, and the University itself are available. Please note that the tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5. Young children and anyone unable to ascend the stone steps may watch the recital free of charge in the Chapel itself from one of two viewing stations in the west transept and narthex. Check in at the front desk to set off for the 45-minute round-trip climb. Carillon tours are capped at 15 guests. The carillon is played live in recital each weekday of the academic year at 12 PM and 5 PM, and on Sunday mornings after the 11 AM service. Members of the University of Chicago Guild of Carillonists are happy to incorporate requests into the daily recitals. Summer Quarter Carillon Tower Tours are June 24 - August 21.