People looking for a little holiday tintinnabulation can find it this weekend at the University of Denver’s 11th annual holiday carillon concert.
The concert — which has become a DU holiday tradition — will feature the University’s Williams Carillon and serve as an introduction of sorts for Carol Jickling Lens, who was appointed a Lamont School of Music faculty member earlier this month.
A carillon resembles an organ but uses bells instead of pipes to sound the music. A carillon player, or carillonneur, strikes the keys of the instrument with their fists and feet. DU’s Williams Carillon was dedicated in 1999 and contains 65 bronze bells, the largest of which weighs six tons. The carillon is nestled high above campus in the Ritchie Center’s Williams Tower.
The concert will be a festive round-up of secular and sacred holiday music chosen by Jickling Lens, who very recently moved back to Denver after three years in Tripoli, Libya.
“I picked out some of my absolute favorite things that I haven’t had the chance to play over the past few years,” Jickling Lens says. “And to be able to come back here and play many of my favorite Christmas pieces as the DU carillonneur makes it a dream come true.”
This year’s program includes favorites such as “Winter Wonderland,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” and appropriately, “Carol of the Bells,” plus a suite of Appalachian Christmas songs.
Jickling Lens completed her carillon studies at Netherlands Carillon School in Amersfoort and has played carillon around the world in places such as England, Russia and South Korea.
The concert is scheduled for 3 p.m. Dec. 13, rain or shine. The listening area is between the Williams Tower and Stapleton Tennis Pavilion. In the spirit of the season, DU Parking Services has made free parking available at two parking lots: Lot 103 at Buchtel Boulevard and High Street and Lot 108 at South Josephine and Buchtel Boulevard. Jickling Lens will be available to greet attendees after the concert. Hot chocolate and cider will be available.