About
Hopeman Carillon is one of seven carillons in New York State. The instrument is a set of 50 touch sensitive bells in chromatic sequence played from a baton and pedal keyboard. The bells hang above the crown of Rush Rhees Library, between the top columns of the bell lantern.
2024 Meliora Weekend Information
There will be two concerts; Friday and Saturday afternoon. More information will be forthcoming.
Can't attend in person but still want to enjoy the concerts? We will livestream the event on our Facebook page!
1973 - 2023 - 50th Anniversary Information
Bells have rung in the dome of Rush Rhees library on the University of Rochester campus since the dedication of Hopeman Chime in 1930 as a living memorial for Arendt Willem Hopeman, a ringing celebration of public music and Dutch culture. The Hopeman family were specialists in shipbuilding, carpentry, and engineering. In 1973, with the approval of the Hopeman family, the chime was replaced by a 50 bell carillon with bells cast by the Dutch bellfoundry Royal Eijsbouts. A carillon is a tower bell instrument with at least 23 bronze bells played manually with a touch sensitive baton keyboard, originating from the Low Countries. The Hopeman Memorial Carillon at the University of Rochester is one of about 190 carillons in North America.
The 50th Anniversary concerts are available on our Facebook page to view.
Specific information on each of the performance dates can be found on our News & Events page.
The bells are next to Eastman Quadrangle sited near the Genesee River. From a bird's eye view the carillon location atop Rush Rhees Library positions the bells at the high point of Oak Hill between Mt. Hope Cemetery, Strong hospital complex, River Campus community, and 19th Ward across the river. Bell sound carries within hearing distance of Hopemangravesite, military graves, and over the Genesee River. During pandemic days the Westminster Chime sounding daily automatically on the lowest Eijsbouts bells sent a message the bells still ring as a constant through the years of University of Rochester campus life. Position your ears and body within the sightline of the bells to get the best live audio.
Description of Hopeman Memorial Carillon
Carillonist Carson Landry and students perform frequently throughout the year as well as to mark major University events.
A student made informational video about the Hopeman Carillon is available.
Pull-out illustration as seen in Rochester Review (July-August 2012) (PDF)
Hand-drawn diagram of the bell tower (PDF)
Those of us learning to play this valuable and unique world culture instrument will practice daily on a carillon practice instrument (not linked to the bells), consisting of a keyboard and bench. One carillon practice kit was assembled and programmed by a mixed cohort of carillonneurs, engineering, and interested students - an amazing experience where students put together the hundreds of pieces of the instrument as a team and programmed it with the sounds of bells under leadership of then student Alex Johnson.
Dewey B-314
Spurrier G31
The other carillon practice instrument was refurbished in 2018, a generous gift by donors to The Hopeman Carillon Fund.
What Is a Carillon?
A video from the World Carillon Federation presents Carillons from all over the world.
A carillon is a musical instrument consisting of at least 23 bells that have been precisely tuned so that many bells can be sounded together harmoniously. A carillon is larger than a chime, which is a set of eight to 22 bells.
Carillon bells are stationary; only their clappers move. The clapper or tongue of each bell is connected by a wire that receives kinetic energy from downward baton action on a keyboard. The keyboard contains a double row of rounded wooden levers that serve as the keys, known as batons, set up similar to a piano keyboard. A carillonneur (or carillonist) plays the instrument by striking batons with loosely clenched fists, and pedals with toes.
Diagram courtesy of Meeks and Watson contractors
The Hopeman Carillon transposes an octave.
Note Range of the 50 bell Hopeman Memorial Carillon on a Music Staff by Dr. Edwin Tan ‘12