Carillon Study

There are two paths to learning the carillon at Berkeley: the carillon studio program, and the DeCal course.

Courses

Carillon studio courses with Simone Browne, Interim University Carillonist

  • Music 40: Group lessons for beginning students
  • Music 41A/B: Private lessons for advanced beginning and intermediate students
  • Music 42 Private lessons for advanced students

DeCal course

  • MUS 198 Learn to Play the Sather Tower Bells

Carillon Studio Courses: Music 40, Music 41A, Music 41B, Music 42

Instructor: Simone Browne, Interim University Carillonist

Students who are interested in pursuing formal, long-term carillon study may audition to join the competitive carillon studio. Carillon studio members include undergraduate and graduate students from all fields of study, though since there are a limited number of lessons available, declared Music majors receive priority. It is expected that a student entering the studio will remain, taking lessons each semester, for the remainder of their time at Berkeley. 

Although opportunities for employment and professional performance beyond campus are limited, joining the carillon studio provides students with an intensive introduction to the instrument, ongoing personalized instruction, and access to regular performance time on the real carillon. Carillon program students also benefit from involvement with carillon communities like the student-led Berkeley Carillon Guild and the broader Guild of Carillonneurs in North America, as well as possible networking and performance opportunities on carillons around the world.

The entry point for the carillon studio is Music 40 (see audition requirements below). After successfully completing Music 40, students are eligible to enroll in further courses of Music 41A, Music 41B, and Music 42, where they receive private lessons from the University Carillonist each semester. All carillon studio courses are taught by the University Carillonist and must be taken for a letter grade.

Students who have prior carillon experience and are interested in joining the carillon studio program should contact the University Carillonist at carillon@berkeley.edu

DeCal Course: Learn to Play the Sather Tower Bells (Music 198)

Students with no prior carillon experience who are interested in gaining a basic introduction to carillon history, culture, and performance should consider applying for the DeCal carillon course, “Learn to Play the Sather Tower Bells.” This course is taught by current students in the carillon studio, who provide peer-to-peer instruction on the basics of carillon playing over the course of a single semester. DeCal lessons are taught on the practice keyboards inside Sather Tower and culminate in a final recital on the real carillon.

Subject to student instructor availability, the DeCal class runs once every semester and is application rather than audition based. Applications typically open at the beginning of each semester. 

Please contact calbells@gmail.com or check the Berkeley Carillon Guild’s Instagram page (@ucbells) for the most up to date information about the DeCal application process.

Carillon Studio Auditions

The entry point for the carillon studio is Music 40, which is a prerequisite for the rest of the carillon studio courses. Interested students must perform a competitive audition on a non-carillon instrument (or voice) before being invited to enroll in Music 40.   

Students interested in Music 40 need not have any prior carillon experience, but should meet the following requirements by the time of audition: 

  • Able to read both treble and bass clefs fluently

  • Comfortable with key signatures through three sharps and three flats

  • Comfortable with common duple and triple time signatures

Students who meet these requirements must audition on an instrument on which they are proficient (or voice) before being accepted into the carillon program. The purpose of the Music 40 audition is to appraise your musicality as well as your approach to learning a new instrument. Each audition will involve both playing and having a conversation about music and the carillon. 

Auditioning students must play two pieces or piece excerpts of their choosing (one slow and one rapid), totaling approximately 4-6 minutes of music. Students should also come prepared to discuss their desire to learn the carillon. Please bring an extra copy of the sheet music for each selection to the audition.

Please contact the University Carillonist at carillon@berkeley.edu with questions regarding Music 40 auditions. 

The next Music 40 auditions will be held in Spring 2026. Sign up for a Spring 2026 audition here before January 20, 2026.

Carillon Performance Schedule

  • Monday through Friday
    7:50 AM – 8:00 AM
    12:00 PM – 12:10 PM
    6:00 PM – 6:10 PM

  • Saturday
    12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
    6:00 PM – 6:10 PM

  • Sunday
    2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
    Programs available at the tower entrance at 1:30

In addition to the above performance times the carillon is also used as a practice and teaching instrument:

  • Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:10 PM – 6:30 PM

  • Friday and Saturday evenings from 6:10 PM – 7:00 PM

  • and Sunday evenings from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Note: Outside of the Fall and Spring Semesters the carillon is played as staff are available.

Visiting the Carillon

Visitors can ride the elevator to the top to get a spectacular, sprawling view of the Bay Area. For more information, check out the Campanile with Visitor Services