Seniors Choose ’90s Throwback for DU’s First ‘Carillon Class Song’
Author(s)
Anna Filippova
Student Writer
The beloved golden bell tower will send off graduates with a nostalgic anthem in new commencement tradition.
DU’s iconic carillon will soon ring out a 90s chart topper, thanks to the Class of 2025. As part of a new commencement tradition, seniors selected “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve to play on the carillon as freshly minted graduates, families, and loved ones exit Magness Arena on June 13 and 14,.
The song, released just two years before the installation of DU’s carillon in 1999, captures mixed feelings of uncertainty and excitement as graduates receive their hard-earned diplomas.
“[‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’] is a good representation of what it feels like to graduate and start the rest of your life,” says Emma O’Dell, a senior majoring in political science and minoring in public policy and socio-legal studies. “Having one solid thing that everyone can relate to—like the song that’s going to be played at graduation—it’s super special.”
Guiliana Ziliotto, a senior majoring in business information analytics and minoring in Italian, says the lyrics remind her of her youth as she prepares for the next chapter.
“NǷ you've hit this point where you're graduating and you've grown up,” she says. “[It's] a monumental moment.”
A tradition is born
Picking a song to represent such a milestone is no small feat.
Earlier this month, seniors nominated approximately 50 songs on DU’s social media channels, sending four top choices to Instagram for a vote. Students ultimately opted for the sentimental tune by the ’90s British rock band, which received 33% of the 911 votes. “End of Beginning” by Djo was a close second.
The carillon in the Williams Tower is a familiar soundtrack for students. Rain or shine, the 56 bells—which weigh between 20 and 12,000 pounds—have played everything from Mozart and Bach to Taylor Swift as students trek across DU's winding brick sidewalks. But the commencement class song also serves as a full-circle moment—the carillon traditionally rings out during first-year student orientation at freshman convocation.
“It has a bookend effect,” says , DU’s resident carillonist and adjunct professor. “A nice wrap-up of memories.”
Brink also sees this as an opportunity to further weave the carillon into the DU experience. On Saturday, he’ll climb the 95 steps to the top of the Williams Tower to play his part in the commencement festivities. Playing The Verve's reflective melody and classic graduation tunes like “Pomp and Circumstance” is a responsibility he takes seriously and cherishes each year.
“My goal is to make carillon culture blend as much as possible with DU campus culture,” Brink says.
Claire Brownell, director of university protocol in the chancellor’s office, who oversees the commencement ceremonies, is also looking forward to bringing the new tradition to life. She recognizes the timelessness of this year’s song.
“[Students] see it perhaps as an event that's going to stay with them for the rest of their lives,” she says.
Students agree. As commencement day approaches, how they mark their college experience becomes even more important.
“Whenever you hear that song, [you’ll] feel connected back to your college experience and everyone who you experienced it with,” says O’Dell.
Based on student feedback, DU will continue this tradition moving forward. Brownell says that if the carillon class song is meaningful to students, they will do everything in their power to incorporate it into their planning process for commencement. Student reactions to the news suggest that “Bitter Sweet Symphony” and the new tradition are helping the Class of 2025 come to terms with the end of their undergraduate journey. Commencement is, as the song suggests, a bittersweet achievement.
For more information about commencement 2025, visit this page.
