Univ. of Sydney War Memorial Carillon

*Location:

   Clocktower
   Main Building
   University of Sydney
   University Place, off Parramatta Road
   Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
   LL: S 33.88587, E 151.18915

Site locator map
City locator maps and gazetteer page

*Carillonist:

   Titus Grenyer, Manager, University
    Organ and Carillon
   E: titus.grenyer@sydney.edu.au
   - and Casual Carillonists -
   Grace Chan
   Edward Grantham
   Lucy Shook Yiu Koe
   Veronica Lambert
   Jane Stewart
   Isaac Wong

   1928Ap25 ded. Bryan Barker
   1932-91 John D. Gordon,  (d.1991)
     University Carillonist 1944-91
   1991-92 Dr.Reginald L. Walker
   1992-?? Dr.Jill Forrest
   ??-?? June Catchpoole,
     Asst.Univ.Carillonist
   ??-2024 Amy Johansen
   - and Honorary Carillonists -
   Archibald B. B. Ranclaud (1884-1967)
   Annick Ansselin
   Melanie Cameron
   Liz Cartwright
   Candy Fung
   Louise Grantham
   Andrew Hopkins
   Frances Simons
   Anna Wang
   Susan Wilkins
   Stacey Xiao Yu Yang

*Contact:

   E: organ.carillon@sydney.edu.au

*Schedule:

   Every Sunday afternoon (usually 2pm);
   every Tuesday (1-2pm) during semester;
   and for special events.

*Remarks:

   In original instrument, top 13 bells
   were doubled, and there was space in
   the frame and keyboard for 53 notes.

*Technical data:

   Traditional carillon of 54 bells
   Pitch of heaviest bell is G# in the bass octave
   Keyboard range:     G C   /    G A#28
   Transposition is up  1 semitone(s), i.e., from C to C#
   There are no missing bass semitones
   There is a practice console
   30 bells were recast or replaced in 2003
     by Whitechapel  
   Prior history:
     In 1976, the instrument was enlarged to 54 bells
       by Taylor      
       (0 bells remain from that work.)
       Keyboard range was:     G C   /    G --  
     In 1928, the instrument was begun with 49 bells
       by Taylor      
       (24 bells remain from that work.)
       Keyboard range was:     C C   /    C --  
       Transposition was down 4 semitone(s), i.e., from C to G#
   No auxiliary mechanisms known
   Tower details not available
   Year of latest technical information source is 2013

On the University Website, a news article (3 July 2024) introduces the new University Organist and Carillonist.
There is also a huge page of historic photos which includes the construction of the clocktower and several photos of the completed Main Building.  Also available is an old photo (BMP, 2.1MB) of the carillon bells on horse-drawn wagons leaving the dock.
A news article (Apr.2018) about the carillon includes two historic photos of the transport and arrival of the original bells.
A page about the carillon and organ emphasizes their function as the ceremonial voices of the University, and has a historical photo of the bells being delivered on horse-drawn wagons.

The Website of the Carillon Society of Australia (CSA) has a Sydney section with many photos.

An archival page about the carillon's origin, dedication, contacts, etc.

A peace carillon page has photos and additional information.

Where the initial phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Taylor bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.
Where the second phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Taylor bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.
Where the final phase of this work lies in the sequence of output of the Whitechapel bellfoundry, in this region and in the world.

Ranking among all Asian & Pacific Rim traditional carillons by pitch (weight).
Ranking among all Asian & Pacific Rim traditional carillons by size (number of bells).
Ranking among all Asian & Pacific Rim traditional carillons by year of completion.

Where the bass bell of this carillon ranks among other great bells in the Pacific Rim region

Index to all traditional carillons in Australia.

Index to all peace carillons worldwide.

Index to all tower bell instruments in Australia.

   This page was built from the database on 14-Oct-24
   based on textual data last updated on 2024/08/12
   and on technical data last updated on 2013/10/22