Carillon Sounds and Fun Facts

Carillon music has been enjoyed at Longwood since 1929. Here are some fun facts about the carillon.

  • Longwood's carillon has 62 bells, weighing 38,148 pounds

  • The smallest bell (concert C) is only 6 inches in diameter and weighs 20 pounds

  • The largest bell (concert Bb) is almost 6 feet in diameter and weighs 6,908 pounds

  • There are more than 180 carillons in North America

  • The carillon is the heaviest instrument in the world

Hear the Bells in Action

Smallest Bell, Highest Pitch-Concert C

Largest Bell, Lowest Pitch, First Note of the Bb Scale-Concert Bb

Second Note of the Bb Scale-Concert C

Third Note of the Bb Scale-Concert D

Fourth Note of the Bb Scale-Concert Eb

Fifth Note of the Bb Scale-Concert F

Sixth Note of the Bb Scale-Concert G

Seventh Note of the Bb Scale-Concert A

Second Octave Concert Bb

Third Octave Concert Bb

Fourth Octave Concert Bb

Fifth Octave Concert Bb

Middle C