photo by: University of Kansas

Bells are shown in KU's Campanile.

Although it is technically a few days early, Lawrence really will ring in summer this week.

The city and the University of Kansas campus will be the North American focal point for carillonneurs — the musicians who play bell towers — as some of the best in the world will be in town for a convention.

And, yes, that means free concerts for anyone who finds themselves within earshot of Mt. Oread and The Campanile. The opening concert is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, and will feature Elizabeth Berghout, associate professor of church and organ music and KU’s official Carillonneur.

There’s no cost to attend the concert, and given that the Campanile and its 53 bells can be heard from many locations on campus, you can pick your spot to listen. However, on the Hill or at the base of the Hill near the football stadium is recommended for some of the best acoustics.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

The Campanile, a memorial to KU students killed during World War II, was center stage at the University of Kansas’ Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 10, 2023.

Berghout and KU will be hosting musicians through Saturday as part of the Guild Carillonneurs 82nd Annual Congress, which is considered the top event for North American carillonneurs. This is the third time KU has played host to the convention, but the first time since 1997. This year’s event will serve as a kickoff to a celebration of the Campanile, which turns 75 years old this year.

“It’s a real honor to host some of the finest performers in the field, who will fill our campus with music from the bells that have meant so much to this community for generations,” Berghout said in a press release in May when the Journal-World first reported on the event.

While Berghout’s nearly hour-long concert is expected to be a highlight of the convention, there are also scheduled to be more than 20 opportunities for members of the public to listen to carillonneurs, both masters and those who are looking to move into that category.

The Campanile at the top of Mt. Oread will host both recitals by accomplished carillonneurs and performances by exam candidates seeking certain certifications from the association. Recital times and dates are scheduled as follows:

• 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Tiffany Ng;

• 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Koen Van Assche

• 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Joh Gouwens

• 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Alex Johnson

• 8:30 a.m. Saturday Franco Committee

• 9 a.m. Saturday, Annie Gao

Exam candidates are scheduled to be playing on the Campanile from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

photo by: University of Kansas

Carillon player Elizabeth Berghout plays the carillon in the Campanile on the University of Kansas campus.

University of Kansas graduates walk down the Campanile hill during a graduation ceremony honoring both KU’s Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 on Sunday, May 23, 2021, on the KU campus.