Wesley Arai (waraiwarai@gmail.com)

The 61-bell Storke Tower Carillon at the University of California, Santa Barbara was dedicated in 1969. The bells were cast by the Petit & Fritsen bellfoundry of the Netherlands, ranging in weight from about 13 pounds to 2.5 tons. The tower and carillon were a gift of Thomas Storke, publisher of the Santa Barbara News-Press. Just steps from the beach, the tower affords a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean, the Channel Islands, and the Santa Ynez Mountains.

Recitals are presented throughout the year on Sunday afternoons by University Carillonist Wesley Arai and his students. The schedule of Sunday recitals is announced on the Music Department’s events calendar (https://music.ucsb.edu/events/calendar). During the Spring 2023 quarter, students give 15-minute recitals at 7:45am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The carillon is also played for special events and for the university’s seven Commencement ceremonies.