Studying the Carillon

Both private lessons and group lessons in carillon are offered through the Department of Music.

Prerequisites
The ability to read both treble and bass clefs fluently; key signatures through three sharps and three flats; the common duple and triple time signatures; and a fluent working knowledge of the keyboard. All singers and instrumentalists are invited to apply.

Auditions
Beginning students must audition on the instrument or voice of their choice before being accepted into the carillon program. The audition consists of a slow and a rapid work of your selection, both of which you are comfortable playing. You must bring an extra copy of each piece to the audition. The purpose of the audition is to appraise your musicality under the most favorable circumstances possible. Auditions for Fall 2012 will be held the evenings of August 20 & 21.

While carillon lessons are offered to music majors and non-majors alike, there are a limited number of lessons available, and declared music majors receive priority. Carillon lessons are not available during the summer semesters. There is no additional charge for carillon lessons.

Lessons
The Department of Music offers the following categories of carillon lessons:

  • Music 40 (1 unit): Group lessons for beginning students
  • Music 41A (1 unit): Private lessons for advanced beginning students
  • Music 41B (1 unit): Private lessons for intermediate students
  • Music 42 (2 units): Private lessons for advanced students

Performance and Practice Opportunities
Performance opportunities on the carillon are available for students, depending on their level of expertise. Beginning students have lessons on the carillon, while intermediate students work mostly on the practice keyboards (there are two) with some time on the carillon. Advanced students have an assigned weekly recital as part of their course of study.

Courses

Music 40 (1 unit)
Group lessons for beginning students
Music 40 will be offered in Fall 2012 but not in Spring 2013
For Fall Semester 2012, lessons are from 6 to 7:15 on these Sunday evenings: August 26, September 9, September 23, October 7, October 21, November 4, November 18 with participation in the Final Student Recital on Sunday, December 2 beginning at 2 pm, with required reception following. Music 40 must be taken for a letter grade.

Music 41A (1 unit)
Private lessons for advanced beginning students
A one half-hour lesson every other week, with participation in the Student Recital, and required reception following. Music 41A must be taken for a letter grade.

Music 41B (1 unit)
Private lessons for intermediate students
A one-half hour lesson every week, one ten-minute recital each week, plus participation in the Student Recital, and reception following. Music 41B must be taken for a letter grade.

Music 42 (2 units)
Private lessons for advanced students
A one hour lesson each week, one ten-minute recital each week, at least three Sunday recitals in the semester, and participation in the Student Recital and reception following. Music 42 is a two-unit course with work commensurate. Music 42 must be taken for a letter grade.

DeCal Class
The Berkeley Carillon Guild, a student-run organization, offers a Democratic Education at Cal (DeCal) Class entitled Learn to Play the Sather Tower Carillon. This is a course offered for credit, but designed for students whose interest is more casual than what is required for the above classes. The web page for the DeCal carillon class can be found here.

Application

Application for carillon lessons should be made directly to the University Carillonist at ucbells@berkeley.edu. They can also be made through the music department office at 104 Morrison Hall. Applications are accepted each semester beginning with the Telebears registration period. Please include in the (email) application your phone number, email address, your musical background and a brief explanation why carillon study interests you. Sather Tower houses two practice keyboards for student use. Students work at a practice keyboard until ready for performance on the carillon. It is expected that a student entering the carillon program will remain in the program for the remainder of their time at Berkeley.

For further inquiries send email to ucbells@berkeley.edu.