Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon

Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon "...to educate the public to the beauty, harmony and other benefits of bell music and to teach the a

The Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon is the gift of Senator Thomas Rees, publisher of the Illinois state register from 1881-1933. During World War I, Rees served on the International Board of Arbitration for newspapers and later for unions, providing him the opportunity to travel Europe and beyond. Rees attributes his great interest in bells to visiting carillons in Belgium and the Netherlands- thoug

h his initial interest was the result of reading articles in National Geographic, the Musical Quarterly, and Art & Archeology by William Gorham Rice. Rees provided a bequest to build his instrument, leaving specific instructions in his will regarding number of bells and its location. Robert Stuart, Springfield Park District President (1959-1975), carefully implemented the Senator's vision by consulting and hiring the architects, designers and the bell foundry when the carillon was constructed in 1962. The quality of the instrument coupled with size and location in the century old Washington Park distinguishes Rees Carillon as one of the world's finest instruments. The Rees Carillon boasts 67 cast bronze bells covering a range of 5 1/2 chromatic octaves. Total weight equals 82,753 lbs; the largest (bourdon) bell weighs 7 1/2 tons with the smallest weighing 22 lbs. The instrument was cast by the 300-year-old bell foundry of Petit & Fritsen, Ltd., in Aarle-Rixtel, Netherlands. All of the bells are played manually from a World Standard Keyboard installed in the year 2000.

06/03/2026

Today’s recital at 6:30 PM will be performed by Ally Dodd.

05/31/2026

Today’s Recitals (Sun @ 2 PM & 6:30 PM) will be performed by Ally Dodd.

05/30/2026

Today’s (Sat @ 2 and 6:30 PM) Recital Program

1. All By Myself - Sergei Rachmaninoff
2. From “Carnival Suite” - Frank Dellapenna
• Ambiance
• Carousel
3. Pop! Goes The Weasel – Traditional
4. From “Carnival Suite” - Frank Dellapenna
• Sleepy Head
• Popcorn
5. Deep In The Meadow (Hunger Games) - Simone Burnett
6. El Esquinazo - Angel Villoldo Arroyo
7. Puff The Magic Dragon - Leonard Lipton

05/29/2026

Tonight’s (Fri @ 6:30 PM) Recital Program

1. Personality - Harold Logan
2. From “24 Progressive Lessons Op. 31” - Fernando Sor
• #1 in C Major
• #2 in a minor
• #3 in D major
3. Time In A Bottle - Jim Croce
4. Ah, So Pure (Martha) - Friedrich van Flotow
5. Sweet Rosie O’Grady - Maud Nugent
6. Caro mio Ben - Giuseppe Giordani
7. Return To Me (Retorno A Me) - Danny Di Minno

05/28/2026

Tonight’s Recital (@ 6:30 PM) will be performed by Ally Dodd

05/27/2026

Tonight’s Recital (@ 6:30 PM) will be performed by Caleb Melamed

For Tonight's Live Stream please visit:
05/24/2026

For Tonight's Live Stream please visit:

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05/24/2026

Tonight is the last night of the International Carillon Festival 2026. At 6 PM the Trinity Wind Ensemble will be presenting welcoming music. At 6:30 PM a carillon concert by Elien Van den Broeck from Belgium followed at 7:15 by a Carillon concert by Carlo van Ulft.
Food trucks and children’s lawn games will be available as well as carillon merchandise for sale.
This is a completely FREE event for the community brought to you by the Springfield Park District and cooperation with the Rees Carillon Society and the Carillon Belles.
Come and join us tonight!

05/23/2026

Tonight is the Third night of the International Carillon Festival 2026. At 6 PM the The Mother Road Bones Trombone Quartet will be providing welcoming music. At 6:30 PM a carillon concert by Carson Landry from New York, followed at 7:15 by a Carillon concert by State Jesse Ratcliffe from West Virginia.
Food trucks and children’s lawn games will be available as well as carillon merchandise for sale.
This is a completely FREE event for the community brought to you by the Springfield Park District and cooperation with the Rees Carillon Society and the Carillon Belles.
Come and join us tonight!

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1740 W Fayette Avenue
Springfield, IL
62704

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