Inside Storke Tower: UCSB’s Carillon Tradition Comes to Life in New Daily Nexus Feature

For more than five decades, the 61-bell Storke Tower Carillon has marked the rhythms of campus life at UC Santa Barbara — welcoming students, commemorating special occasions, and filling the campus with music from one of UCSB’s most distinctive musical traditions. This interactive multimedia feature, Inside Storke Tower: The story of a carillon, published by The Daily Nexus invites readers to discover the history, artistry, and people behind this beloved campus landmark.

The story explores the history of the instrument through the experiences of current and former UCSB carillonists, including University Carillonist Wesley Arai, who continues the tradition of bringing the carillon’s music to the campus community throughout the year. Through interviews, photography, audio, and video, the feature takes readers inside Storke Tower to learn about the carillon’s history, the art of performance, and the musicians who have helped preserve its unique voice.

The story also reflects the broader legacy of the Storke Tower Carillon — a tradition that connects generations of UC Santa Barbara students, chancellors, staff, faculty, and musicians with the vision of Thomas Storke and the global carillon community. Whether you are discovering the carillon for the first time or are a longtime listener, Inside Storke Tower: The story of a carillon offers a fascinating look at one of UCSB’s most distinctive musical treasures.

Read the full story:
https://dailynexus.com/interactives/storke-tower-carillon/

Read More