Elliott Tower

Donated by longtime supporters Hugh and Nancy Elliott, the Elliott Tower is a rallying point for student activities and creates a stunning visual centerpiece for Oakland’s campus.

The carillon plays the soundtrack to Oakland’s campus with the traditional Westminster Quarter chimes, along with live performances every Friday at noon and during special occasions.

Elliott Tower is the last carillon to have its bells and keyboard to be cast by the Petit and Fritsen Royal Bellfoundry in the Netherlands, which had been around since 1660. It features a fully chromatic 49-bell carillon. The largest bell is a low C, weighing around 5,000 pounds and measuring 5 feet in diameter, while the smallest bell is a high C, weighing in at only 24 pounds. The total weight of all bells is more than 30,000 pounds – that’s over 15 tons.

Six Fridays at 6 Concert Series

The Summer Carillon Concert Series is a series of outdoor concerts held on six Fridays at 6 p.m. with 6 different artists.

The free concerts bring international carillonneurs to Oakland University's Elliott Tower.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy a relaxing evening listening to the sounds of the carillon's 49 fully-chromatic bells.

  • July 7 - Dina & Richard De Waardt Rotterdam, The Netherlands 
  • July 14 - Mathieu Daniel Polak Rotterdam, The Netherlands 
  • July 21 - Simone Browne New York City, New York 
  • July 28 - Katarzyna Piastowska Emmerich, Germany 
  • August 4 - Andrea McCrady Ottawa, Ontario
  • August 11 - Dennis Curry Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Friday at Noon Concerts

Every Friday at noon, Oakland University’s carillonneur plays a live concert for a half-hour. The program is selected by Dennis Curry and will generally relate to to something happening on campus or in the world.

A Place to Learn
A practice carillon located in 103 O’Dowd Hall allows students to learn how to play the instrument. Contact Dennis Curry at bells@oakland.edu.