55 Years of the National Carillon - Open Day

To celebrate the 55th birthday of the National Carillon, we are hosting public tours and a special concert on Queen Elizabeth II Island on Sunday 27 April. Join us to explore the inside of the National Carillon, meet one of our carillonists, and even try playing some of the largest bells in Australia at the clavier.  

Tours are ticketed, and bookings are essential. Visitors are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing for the weather as part of the tour is outside and it can be quite windy in the bell chamber. 

The concert is free, but we encourage you to reserve a spot. Bring along a picnic blanket or chairs and enjoy the lunchtime (12:30 pm to 1:30 pm) concert from Queen Elizabeth II Island or its surrounds. 

Tours are 30 minutes, 10 participants and $10 a ticket. Tours are not currently wheelchair accessible due to the emergency evacuation procedures. 

Tours will be held at 10:15 am, 11:00 am, 11:45 am, 1:45 pm, 2:30 pm and 3:15 pm. Bookings can be made through Eventbrite.

55 years of the National Carillon Program

Carillonists: Vikki Jacobsen and Peter Bray performing solos and duets 

 Begin on a high note 

1. 'Prelude' in D by Jef Denyn 
   Performed by Peter Bray 

Three classical favourites 

2. 'Dance of The Sugar Plum Fairy' from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky 
   Arranged by Elena Sadina performed by Peter Bray 
3. 'The Swan' from Carnival of Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns 
   Arranged by Eddie Mariën performed by Peter Bray and Vikki Jacobsen 
4. 'Gnossienne' by Eric Satie 
   Arranged by Ulrik Rasmussen performed by Vikki Jacobsen 

Jazzy arrangements 

5. 'La Vie En Rose' by Edith Piaf 
   Arranged by Peter Bray performed by Peter Bray 
6. 'Fly Me to the Moon' by Bart Howard 
   Arranged by Peter Bray performed by Peter Bray
7. 'What a wonderful world' by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss 
   Arranged by Thomas Laue performed by Vikki Jacobsen 

Australian compositions 

8. 'Lake Music' (written for the opening of the National Carillon) by Terry Vaughan 
   Performed by Vikki Jacobsen 
9. 'Waltzing Matilda' by Christine Macpherson 
   Arranged by Adrien Tien performed by Vikki Jacobsen
10. 'Jessica's Theme' from The Man from Snowy River by Bruce Rolland 
    Arranged by Peter Bray performed by Peter Bray

Three recognisable duets

11. 'Hedwig’s Theme' and 'Harry's Wonderous World' from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by John Williams 
    Arranged by Joey Brink performed by Peter Bray and Vikki Jacobsen 
12. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Freddie Mercury 
    Arranged by Anna Elias and Eddie Mariën performed by Peter Bray and Vikki Jacobsen 
13. Variations on 'Happy Birthday' by Jürgen Buchner
    Performed by Peter Bray and Vikki Jacobsen