Carillon returns to Naperville

Now that construction of Moser Tower is complete, weekly carillon concerts have returned to Naperville.

Carillonneurs perform every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Millennium Carillon in the tower located at the base of Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk.

"It's open air, it's a wonderful family experience," said Wylie Crawford, the official Naperville carillonneur. "You can do picnics and other events surrounding the bells that make them fun and when you have a beautiful setting like Rotary Hill it makes it more attractive."

Parking for the concerts is available at the lot off Aurora Avenue across from Naperville Central High School.

Musicians from all over the world perform on the city's monolithic instrument, which includes 72 bells spanning six octaves.

"It's first rate and comparable to the best set up anybody else has," said Tim Sleep, assistant city carillonneur. "It's darn near perfect."

Crawford will be the next performer this Tuesday followed by Mark Lee of Chicago Aug. 7, Karel Keldermans of Springfield Aug. 14 and Jonathan Lehrer of Washington, D.C., Aug. 21.

Crawford said bells have unique tones that make for a memorable concert experience.

"The music you can create on the carillon is unlike any other music," he said.

Now that construction is finished, Sleep hopes to eventually contact dance studios and have them choreograph a piece to carillon music.

The new three-tier amphitheater at the base of the tower also will allow bands to perform there in the future.

For those interested in learning to play the carillon themselves, Crawford will be offering lessons this fall. For more information, call (847) 328-2333.

For a summer concert schedule, visit www.naperville-carillon.org/index.php?id=478.

If You Go

What: Carillon concerts

When: 7 p.m. every Tuesday through Aug. 21

Where: Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower at the base of Rotary Hill

Tickets: Free

Info: www.naperville-carillon.org/index.php?id=478