Oisín Dilger Contemporary Composition on the carillon: An Investigation

This thesis is an investigation of the use of contemporary composition techniques for carillon. The goal was to compose new carillon works and analyse them, to find out which techniques can be utilised effectively on the carillon, and so that future composers can learn something about how best to implement these techniques.

In total, 9 pieces were composed: 7 solo pieces, one duet, and one carillon-plus piece. A variety of techniques were explored, such as whole-tone scales, serialism, minimalism, and more. The thesis gives an account of the inspiration, compositional process, analysis, and resulting recommendations for any future composers.

Of all the contemporary techniques used, complex rhythmic devices such a polyrhythms were particularly effective. Tone clusters, unisons and some kinds of minimalist textures proved effective for carillon-plus. Some techniques such as the use of other non-diatonic scales and minimalism need further experimentation to draw a conclusion on. It is the opinion of the author that there is a lot of exploration to be done in the field of carillon-plus writing, and hopes to see or create new works for carillon and larger ensembles in future.

Two of the pieces, Yesterday Now Tomorrow Nowhere and Signum, will be heard at the World Carillon Congress 2026 in Mafra.