Star Wars concert at National Carillon. Photo: National Capital Authority (NCA).
Nothing like Darth Vader’s ‘Imperial March’ to add new purpose to your gait as you walk around Lake Burley Griffin this Sunday.
In case the date escaped you, May the 4th is nearly upon us – the day celebrated by Star Wars fans all over for how a mere slip of the tongue can turn it into the sci-fi show’s iconic line: “May the Force be with you” (most of us might roll our eyes at this point, but also secretly relish it).
And this year, Canberra’s National Carillon is getting in on the action with a special Star Wars-themed concert.
Apart from standing as a monument to Queen Elizabeth II and chiming on the hour, the massive bell tower is also a bona fide musical instrument – equipped with 57 bronze bells weighing between six tonnes and six kilograms and spanning four and a half octaves.
The bells can be rung through a sort of keyboard made up of wooden batons and pedals, called a clavier, located at the top of the tower and played by a carillonist.
Peter Bray is part of a team of seven local carillonists and began playing in 2013.
At the time, the National Capital Authority (NCA), which looks after the Carillon on behalf of the Federal Government, was searching schools across the ACT for students who might be interested in learning to play the clavier.
“There were about 10 of us in the program, and they offered lessons to two of us after that, and I was quite lucky to be selected. Of course, I said yes,” he says.
Peter usually is up there at least twice a week to practice, on both the clavier and another one that isn’t connected to the bells (so Canberra can’t hear his flubs).
“We do have to practice on the main instrument because there’s nothing quite like it.”
The NCA has hosted a Star Wars concert on May the 4th twice before, in 2018 and, due to its success, again in 2019.
“Everyone saw how successful it was last time, so they’re very excited to see it back,” Peter says.
The clavier in the George Howe Room at the top of the Carillon. Photo: James Coleman.
This year’s event will mark the first performance since the monument underwent its 50th anniversary upgrade.
“We repaired and restored the façade panels, which are a cement and quartz aggregate blend, close to the original finish, cleaning away years of staining and contaminants that built up over time,” the NCA says on its website.
The finished result is an “aesthetic uplift to the overall building”.
Staff have also spent the past six months working with carillonists like Peter to test the various components of the instrument, followed by final adjustments by the England-based bell foundry John Taylor Co.
Sunday’s concert runs from 12 noon to 1 pm and includes all the greats such as the Main Theme, Imperial March and Cantina Band, as well as themes for different characters.
There’ll be plenty of food vendors gathered around to contribute to the festivities, and guests are encouraged to dust off their Star Wars costumes.
Afterwards, there’ll be a chance to hear from Peter and fellow carillonist Julie Wright.
The 500 spots on the island itself have all been sold out, but even so, the NCA encourages Canberrans to bring a picnic and friends and set up nearby to “enjoy the music and festivities”, as the music will be audible just as well in the surrounding Kings Park.
The largest bell weighs more than six tonnes. Photo: James Coleman.
“The Star Wars music sounds quite powerful on those huge bells,” Peter says.
“It’s quite a versatile instrument. We train our carillonists to arrange music as well, so we can play all sorts of music in different styles.
“I think the ‘Imperial March’ is extremely powerful, and I love playing that sort of music, just like a little snippet, and then running across to the window and poking my head out to see if anyone’s noticed what I was playing.”
‘Episode V: Carillon Strikes Back’ will be held from 12 pm to 1 pm, on Sunday, May the 4th. Visit the NCA website for more information.
