Jill Forest

Alongside her medical work, in 1978 Jill Forrest was appointed an Honorary Carillonist. In 1993 she was
appointed University Carillonist through to her retirement in 2010. In this position Jill Forrest and the carillon
have brought great prestige to the University.
The War Memorial Carillon is the ceremonial voice of the University of Sydney, the only University in
Australia to have such a splendid asset. It is played to celebrate festive occasions and to dignify solemn
occasions and serves all faculties and organisations of the University. Jill Forrest has treasured the carillon
and with distinction, made an outstanding contribution in her role as the University Carillonist. She is a highly
accomplished performer and has represented Australia at International Carillon Festivals in Europe and
America.
During her tenure she played the carillon for well over a hundred graduations, Sunday recitals and festive
occasions each year. She has maintained the fabric of the carillon, bell chamber and clavier at world
standards and fostered strong links between the University and all other countries with carillons. She also
founded and donated a library of carillon music, with the latest annual publications. She has published,
edited, arranged and composed a vast quantity of high quality carillon music, and has educated carillonists
to world standards, thus ensuring Australian carillonists for the future. She has hosted international
carillonists all of whom have been immensely impressed with the instrument and the art of carillon in
Australia. In addition, as Honorary Consultant to the Bathurst Council, she has advised on refurbishment and
upgrading of the Bathurst War Memorial Carillon. Her dedication to Medicine and Music for over 50 years
was recognised in 2011 by the Award of Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Chancellor, I present Consultant Physician Emeritus and Emeritus University Carillonist Dr Jill Forrest AM
and invite you to confer the title of Honorary Fellow of the University upon her.

Full article from Sydney University as pdf

Interview: Katherine Connolly talks to Jill Forest, University Carillonist

So what exactly is a Carillon and how does it work?
Carillons are the largest musical instruments in existence. They consist of at least two chromatic octaves of tuned bells, made from an alloy of 80% copper and 20% tin, which sound when struck by internal clappers of soft iron. The Sydney carillon contains 54 bells (4 ½ octaves) that are hung in the clock tower in the main quadrangle. The bells are fixed in position; their clappers are connected by wires to a large keyboard in the room below the belfry. When the clapper strikes the inside of the bell, the bell’s diameter determines the frequency of the fundamental note. A number of overtones also sound, including the minor third; these add richness to the sound. The instrument is played from a keyboard of manual batons and pedals.

How did you get to become the University Carillonist?

In its early years, the carillon was played by a number of honorary carillonists. In 1944 John Douglas Gordon was appointed the first University Carillonist, a position that he held until his death in 1991. He taught me to play, and in 1978 I passed an exam and joined the group of enthusiasts who assisted him as Honorary Carillonists. Later I studied carillon in New Zealand and Holland. When John died senior Honorary Carillonist, Dr Reginald Walker, took over for a year, during which time auditions and interviews took place and I was fortunate enough to be appointed to the position.

What’s the history of the University’s Carillon?

The University of Sydney War Memorial Carillon commemorates the 197 undergraduates, graduates and staff who died in World War I. It was paid for by private subscription both inside and outside the university, and was dedicated on Anzac Day 25 April 1928. The original bells were cast in England by the famous bellfoundry of John Taylor and Co. of Loughborough, Leicestershire. In 1973, the Taylors recast the top bells, and in 2003 the top 33 treble bells were replaced by Whitechapel of London, the bellfoundry that cast Big Ben.

Is it difficult for players to access the Carillon to practice?

Yes, this certainly restricts the number of students. The Environmental Protection Act precludes playing the bells themselves before 8 am (if we were a chainsaw we could start at 7 am!), and of course during working hours and lectures they could be a distraction. So if you are jogging in the morning between 8 and 8.45 am, or in the evenings and weekends when there are no other functions in the vicinity, someone will be practicing.

What is the best time and place to hear the Carillon being played?

There are free recitals every Sunday afternoon at 2 pm, and every Tuesday at 1 pm, except when there are exams in the vicinity. However, to hear the bells at their joyful best one should listen on the front lawns or in the main quadrangle before and after each of the University graduation ceremonies because then, as the Ceremonial Voice of the University, the bells will rejoice with you.