Join Us!
Are you looking for a truly unique musical opportunity? Do you think you have what it takes to perform in Yale's most iconic structure? Would you want to serenade all of campus from a 43-ton instrument?
If your answer is yes to these questions, then congratulations, you are ready for Heel!
Sign up for Heel here!Heel? Like the back of the foot?
More like the base of your hand! Rumor has it the name was adapted from playing with the true heel of the hand when Harkness tower only had chimes which were heavier to play than the carillon and thus required more force.
Heel now denotes the lessons and audition process that all interested musicians must complete in order to join the Guild. You'll receive weekly lessons from current Guild members for about 5 weeks to begin to learn the instrument, and if at the end of this process you decide you want to join the Guild, you'll audition by playing a piece on the real carillon, another on a practice carillon, and a brief sight-reading passage.
This fall, Heel is set to begin the week of September 10th and end 5 weeks later. Auditions will happen the following weekend on October 15th, 2023.
If you're more of a movie person than a book person, here's a quick video about heel!
Also, here's a cool video of a professional carillonneur, Boudewijn Zwart, at work:
Woah, that's so exciting! How do I learn more?
Come to one of our two Zoom info sessions:
- Thursday, September 7th at 9:00-9:00pm
- Friday, September 8th at 4:30-5:30pm
Come to our Open House (and tour the tower!):
- Monday, September 4th at 12:30-2:30pm
- Tuesday, September 5th at 5:30-6:30pm
Meet at the base of Harkness tower in the Branford Courtyard, and our heeler monsters will take you up the tower, introduce the Guild, and show the carillon in action!
If you can't make any of these times, email our Heeler Monsters at heelermonster@gmail.com!
Am I eligible?
You are eligible if you are a:
- First Year in Yale College
- Sophomore in Yale College
- Graduate student with 2+ years left in a program of a professional school of Yale University
I still have questions. Who do I ask?
Our Heeler Monsters this year are Lea Kim and Carl Geiselhart You can reach out to them at heelermonster@gmail.com.
We hope to meet you soon :D