Australian Carillonists: Respect for the Past and a Vision for the Future

Discover the stories of the musicians who play Australia’s carillons.

Located in Bathurst, Canberra and Sydney, Australia’s carillons are unique musical instruments containing bronze bells that are played with ‘fists and feet’.

These huge instruments can make some remarkable music when they are played by skilled musicians.

Australia’s carillonists are a diverse group of people, with experience ranging from over 60 years to current students who are just starting their carillon journey.

We hear in their own words, the carillonists’ vision for the future of their instrument, including common themes around raising public awareness of, and engagement with, carillons and making the music more accessible, potentially through the introduction of mobile carillons to Australia.

About the Author

Melissa Bray is an economist and former senior executive at the Australian Treasury who has worked as a freelance journalist and as a policy adviser to two Federal Ministers.

A member of the committee of the Carillon Society of Australia, Melissa is passionate about sharing the stories of the diverse group of talented musicians who play Australia’s three carillons and in raising awareness of these unique instruments and her first book ‘Australian carillonists’ tells their stories.