photo by: University of Kansas

Bells are shown in KU's Campanile.

The University of Kansas’ Campanile atop Mt. Oread once again will be atop the world of North American carillonists — the musicians who play bell towers — and Lawrence residents will get treated to several free concerts as a result.

KU’s School of Music will host the Guild Carillonneurs 82nd Annual Congress from June 10-14, bringing musicians from around the world to play the giant bells of the Campanile.

“We’re thrilled to welcome carillonists from around the world to KU as we kick off the 75th anniversary of the Campanile,” Elizabeth Berghout, associate professor of church and organ music, said in a press release. “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.”

The upcoming conference will mark the third time — the others in 1956 and 1997 — that KU and the Campanile have been the host of the event, which is considered the top event for North American carillonists.

KU will host a public concert at 6 p.m. on June 10 to kick off the conference. Additional concerts by attending musicians are expected to be announced closer to the conference. The Campanile and its 53 bells also is expected to be the site of training and classes for conference attendees. KU’s Campanile is one of about 200 carillons — a bell tower with at least 23 tuned bells — in North America.

photo by: University of Kansas

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