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It’s a multi-tone instrument but the music is sweet when Dr Veronica Lambert of Double Bay Dentistry in Sydney plays the carillon.
“A carillon is a very large percussion instrument that has a keyboard played with fists and a footboard played with feet. The one I play in the clock tower of the quadrangle at the University of Sydney has 54 bells. Each bell has a clapper attached to metal string wire that comes down to the keyboard. Each lever is played with a clenched fist, pushing it with the first knuckle of your little finger. There is nothing electronic or hydraulic about a carillon. You can press hard or soft which allows for a lot of expression when playing. The biggest bell is a low G that weighs four tonnes.
“There are only three carillons in Australia—the University of Sydney War Memorial Carillon, the Bathurst War Memorial Carillon and the Canberra National Carillon. Practice sessions are tightly rostered and my slot is Saturday mornings. I play regularly for graduations, Sunday recitals and other special events such as weddings at Sydney University.
“Around 15 years ago, I took my brother and cousin to visit a Freud exhibition at the Nicholson Museum at Sydney University. When we came outside, the carillon was playing and I liked the sound of it. I had attended Sydney University but never noticed the carillon during my student days. My brother was ready to go but I insisted we stay a bit longer and listen. As punishment, he approached the woman handing out programs and informed her that his sister would love to learn to play the carillon. I didn’t begin for another 18 months but my brother definitely planted the seed.
“When starting out, the carillon can’t be your first instrument. You need some degree of musical background, the ability to read music, and if you can play piano or organ, that really helps. I liked it straight away, even though you need to concentrate unbelievably hard. Your hands and feet are constantly doing different things. I’ve been playing for fourteen years now.
“I find the sound of a carillon very beautiful. It’s a joy to be making such wonderful music. I also like that during a performance, no-one actually sees you up in the tower. The audience is outside, enjoying the day and listening to the music.
“There are around 640 carillons worldwide and the World Carillon Federation holds a conference every three years. I’ve visited many countries to which I would have never normally travelled and attended some wonderful conferences. It’s a lovely way to see the world and meet like-minded people with the same obscure interest.”
