rees memorial carillon

We visited on Sunday morning and wanted my nephews to see the bells and hear the music because they play bells for church. Had a beautiful day, unfortunately it was still snowy on the ground but the kids had fun running around anyways. We were lucky to get to talk to the Carillon player before he played and he was so nice and good with the kids. They give tours during the summer I believe which would definitely be worth while. I think they play at noon and 3 pm on Sundays not sure what other times. Beautiful park.

We just attended Christmas caroling accompanied by the carillon. It was beautiful! This event is the second Sunday in December each year. There is also the carillon festival held in June where people come from all over the world to play this beautiful instrument. It's also interesting to take a tour for a nominal fee, but not offered every day. You end up at the very top for a bird's eye view of Springfield. Many people visiting Springfield for the Lincoln attractions never even know about this unique instrument, but now you know a little. Check it out.

Try to visit during one of the carillon concerts. The music from this amazing bell tower is beautiful. make sure you go for the tour. Situated in beautiful Washington Park.

It is a bell system in Washington Park that is best enjoyed on a blanket on the grass. A good outdoor family or friends event. One of the best of it's kind instrument anywhere

This was on our list of things to try and see on our trip to Springfield, il. Although we did not have much time we found ourselves in the park at dusk getting some geocaches. We sat down and the bells started and the sun was setting and the lights came on the building. It was quite beautiful. Jan decided to go in and see what was inside the building, before i know it she is waving at us from the 8th floor. They have Christmas cds for a nominal fee in the building, well i had left the ones we had gotten up in the musicians area, i am sure it was due to my being scared of heights, albiet it is not bad that way, just an excuse, and we had already left when we noticed they were gone. So i emailed the carillonneur who had played that night and he emailed back saying he had saw them and he would send them to us if we would send him some money for postage. Well the cd's were home by the time we got home from our vacation 6 days later. All in all this was a very memorable evening in a wonderful park and we met some very nice people. We will be donating more than just the postage to this place. I would highly recommend this concert if you can find an hr. in the evening while in town. definately take the elevator to the musicians floor.

We enjoyed a half-hour free concert played on the Rees Carillon on a Sunday evening, and then took advantage of the opportunity to tour the instrument. (There's a small charge for tours.) The young man who played the concert showed us the largest bells and demonstrated how the carillon is played; it was most impressive and quite fascinating. The carillon is located immediately adjacent to the entrance to the Botanical Garden.

Nestled in Washington Park, the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon was a lovely point of interest during our time in Springfield. We were there on a Sunday, so we toured the carillon with the young man who plays the instrument. It was well worth the $3.50 admission to watch him at the keyboard (much like a grand organ), playing a piece or two in the afternoon. We then returned for the free concert at 7:00 that evening, and he played several pieces written specifically for the Carillon. It was a restful and restorative time, sitting on a bench in the park and listening to the lovely tones of the bells waft over our heads.

Heard about the Carillon and wasn't sure what it was...well it is a bell tower that chimes music! It is played by a person kinda like an Organ keyboard and foot pedals. We were able to go to the top and see the whole instrument, as well as listen in the tower. After a little while, we went outside and listened from the park area. A unique experience! If you don't take the interior tour,(but I would) it is a free thing to do this summer!

Our wonderful Carillon is unusual in that there are many performances each week, tours of the interior of the instrument, and a full-time person available to teach anyone how to play this huge vertical percussion instrument. We live only a few blocks away and get to hear the VERY frequent concerts. The Carillon Society makes sure that the instrument stays in great shape. Don't miss it!

When in Washington be sure to see the carillon. Cool tower, sometimes they let you go up and see the bells. Some of the bells are huge. It's really neat to hear them play. Sometimes they have event and play a lot of songs.

To hear the bells and view the surroundings is a blessing. It is well worth your time to take a trip up into the tower and see the bells close up and view the park !!!

I was there for a special event, the Art Spectacular Art Fair in mid September ( I am an artist and was exhibiting). I knew the Carillon was going to be playing more or less all weekend, and expected to be heartily sick of hearing it by the end. Instead, I enjoyed every bit of it. I even met the Carilloneur at the artist dinner. There is a Carillon at my own local Chicago Botanic Garden, so it was interesting to hear his explanation of what makes the various instruments different. You can take an elevator and tour it.

The very talented carillonneur was in when I visited Sunday August 25, 2013. I arrived in time to ride the elevator to the level where the hand and foot controlled "keyboard" was awaiting a musician to spread joy in the air around Washington Park. Seeing the bells and how they work was a treat. I got an impromptu concert while watching the music maker perform a familiar song much transformed. After watching in the carillonneur's cabin, I took the spiral staircase to the top observation deck for the best view of Springfield possible. I was able to see the beautiful Botanical Gardens from high above. It was a highlight of my trip to Springfield, IL What an unexpected inspiring thrill.

What a joy. The peal of real bell played by the new carillonneur, Springfield has no clue what a treasure the Park District supports. It's international!! A June festival that brings performers from around the world.

One the biggest Carillon (66 bells) in the U.S. located in Washington Park and the third largest in the world. Concerts aregive on Sundays at 3:00. There is charge for tours up to the bell towers but the view is super.