Alex Johnson: University Carillonist
Sunday, September 24
TIME: 1:00PM
VENUE: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. 5850 South woodlawn Ave.
An image of Alex Johnson with two large gray bells above him, followed by an image of Alex Johnson sitting in what looks like a church.
Alex Johnson
Alex Johnson is the University of Chicago’s 7th University Carillonist. In this role, he regularly plays the 100-ton, 72-bell Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon for Sunday services, weddings, convocations, memorials, and other events. He also teaches the students of the university’s Guild of Carillonists.
Before he arrived in Chicago, Johnson studied carillon at the Royal Carillon School “Jef Denyn” in Belgium, at Bok Tower Gardens in Florida, and at the University of Rochester, where he also obtained a degree in physics. He has also taught carillon at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Rochester.
In 2019, he won 1st Prize at the International Queen Fabiola Carillon Competition–the world’s most prestigious carillon competition. Beyond the carillon, Johnson has also dabbled in mbira, gamelan, and several forms of dance. He's an avid improviser and enjoys spending much of his spare time outside at Promontory Point.
The musicians:
Alex Johnson - carillon
John Mori and Kayla Gunderson