The carillon of Emmen

Welcome to the website of the Emmen Carillon

Here you will discover the story behind the carillon of Emmen. The carillon in the centre of Emmen is a unique carillon that has been part of the city since 1966. It consists of 14 bronze bells and plays well-known melodies every quarter of an hour.

In addition to the music, it also offers a figure walk with dolls in traditional Drenthe costumes, which brings the local culture to life in a special way. During holidays such as Sinterklaas and Christmas, the chimes are adapted to play special, seasonal melodies. Very nice for children. The chimes can be heard during opening hours and are an interesting attraction for both residents and visitors of Emmen."

From its construction to its recent renovation, you will find the history and stories behind this musical heritage here.

The history of the carillon since 1966 ---------->
Since 1966, jeweler Arn van Ess has played a prominent role in the center of Emmen. In that year, the jewelry store, originally founded in 1954 by Arnold and Elza van Ess on the Derksstraat, moved to a new building on the corner of the Hoofdstraat and the Notaris Oostingstraat. On the occasion of this opening, Arnold van Ess presented the citizens of Emmen with a carillon with nine bronze bells, as a contribution to the atmosphere and coziness in the city center. This chime, which plays well-known melodies every quarter of an hour, quickly became a beloved feature of the city.

In June 1966 the carillon with 9 still shiny bells was put into use.
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The carillon could be played with a keyboard
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Corner of Main Street / Notary Oosting Street in 1966
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Similar to a barrel organ, the bells were controlled by a roller with slots
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The oven in which the bronze of the Emmen carillon was melted.
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Building the inner clock
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Casting the bronze into the mold for the bell
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Casting the bronze into the mold for the bell
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The cooling after casting the bronze
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Casting the bronze into the mold for the bell
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The Carillon of Emmen 1979 to 2024 --------------->
The history of the Emmen Carillon

The carillon of Emmen was given a figure circuit with figures and 5 bells in 1979 on the occasion of its 25th anniversary
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The dolls from 1979
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This is the computer that controlled the chimes from 1991
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The carillon in 2018
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The melodies were stored in E-proms (memory chips)
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The renovation of the Carillon of Emmen 2024 --------->
Our precious carillon, which has filled the streets of Emmen with familiar melodies every quarter of an hour since 1966, has recently undergone a thorough renovation. The 14 bronze bells, proudly hanging on the facade of our jewelry store, are not just instruments; they are a symbol of our community and history.

The renovated carillon of Emmen. With figure circuit and clock
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The new figures that pass by every fifteen minutes
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All bells bear the name of a member of the Van Ess family
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All bells bear the name of a member of the van Ess van Ess family
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All mechanics and hammers have been replaced
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Another bare wall
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The figure circuit is placed
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Royal Eijsbouts from Asten has renovated the carillon in Emmen
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The clock 150 cm large with gold ornaments
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The outdoor clock is provided with wiring
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Connecting the magnetic hammers.
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The figure circuit has been placed again
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The clock with golden ornaments is hung
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Almost done, 1 more clock to go
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Almost done, 1 more clock and a few hands to go
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Complete overview of clock chimes and figure circuit with dolls in traditional Drenthe costumes
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figure walk with dolls in traditional Drenthe costumes
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figure walk with dolls in traditional Drenthe costumes
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All melodies of the Emmen Carillon
Evergreens

1 Muss I denn

2 My Bonnie

3 O when the Saints

4 Singing in the rain



Beatles

5 Yellow submarine

6 Yesterday

7 Hey Jude

8 Let Lt be



Kinderen

9 Het zijn de kleine dingen die 't doen

10 Ik zag twee beren

11 Drie kleine kleutertjes

12 Kinderen voor kinderen



Hollands

13 Merck toch hoe sterck

14 De Zilvervloot

15 Hup Holland Hup

16 Tulpen uit amsterdam



Evergreens

17 Congratulations

18 Do Re MI Song

19 Für Elise

20 Penney Lane



Evergreens

21 Clementine

22 Auld Lang Syne

23 Blowin in the wind

24 Sur le pont



Evergreens

25 Greensleeves

26 Jan Klaassen de trompetter

27 Love me tender

28 Memory



Sint

29 Sinterklaasje kom maar binnen

30 Hoort wie klopt daar kinderen

31 Zie de maan schijn door de bomen

32 Zie ginds komt de stoomboot



Kerst

33 Jingle Bells

34 Rudolf the rednosed reindeer

35 We whish you a merry christmas

36 Kling klokje klingelingeling



Nieuw

37 Clocks (Coldplay)

38 Europapa (Joost Klein)

39 Hier kom ik weg (Daniel Lohues)

40 I'm Still Standing (Elton John)



Nieuw

41 Op zij op zij opzij (Herman van Veen)

42 Een prachtig mooie dag (Daniël Lohues)

43 Sound of silence Simon & Garfunkel

The carillon of Emmen

The history of the carillon since 1966 ----------&gt;

In June 1966 the carillon with 9 still shiny bells was put into use.

The carillon could be played with a keyboard

Corner of Main Street / Notary Oosting Street in 1966

Similar to a barrel organ, the bells were controlled by a roller with slots

The oven in which the bronze of the Emmen carillon was melted.

Building the inner clock

Casting the bronze into the mold for the bell

Casting the bronze into the mold for the bell

The cooling after casting the bronze

Casting the bronze into the mold for the bell

The Emmen Carillon was born at the Petit & Fritsen company in Aarle Rixtel

A bell is born by removing the mold in which the bronze is poured.

All the bells have a name. This is the bell of the Founder of the carillon

All clocks are provided with a name. This is the clock of the current owner of Arn van Ess Juwelier & Goudsmid

The Carillon of Emmen 1979 to 2024 ---------------&gt;

The carillon of Emmen was given a figure circuit with figures and 5 bells in 1979 on the occasion of its 25th anniversary

The dolls from 1979

This is the computer that controlled the chimes from 1991

The carillon in 2018

The melodies were stored in E-proms (memory chips)

The renovation of the Carillon of Emmen 2024 ---------&gt;

The renovated carillon of Emmen. With figure circuit and clock

The new figures that pass by every fifteen minutes

All bells bear the name of a member of the Van Ess family

All bells bear the name of a member of the van Ess van Ess family

All mechanics and hammers have been replaced

Another bare wall

The figure circuit is placed

Royal Eijsbouts from Asten has renovated the carillon in Emmen

The clock 150 cm large with gold ornaments

The outdoor clock is provided with wiring

Connecting the magnetic hammers.

The figure circuit has been placed again

The clock with golden ornaments is hung

Almost done, 1 more clock to go

Almost done, 1 more clock and a few hands to go

Complete overview of clock chimes and figure circuit with dolls in traditional Drenthe costumes

figure walk with dolls in traditional Drenthe costumes

figure walk with dolls in traditional Drenthe costumes

All melodies of the Emmen Carillon

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The history of the carillon since 1966 ---------->

The Carillon of Emmen 1979 to 2024 --------------->

The renovation of the Carillon of Emmen 2024 --------->