Cornell Chimes facts for kids

The Cornell Chimes are a set of 21 large bells located in McGraw Tower. This tower is on the main campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

These bells first rang on October 7, 1868. They were a gift from Jennie McGraw. Since then, the chimes have marked the time and played music for concerts. The tower where the bells are kept was called "the Library Tower" for a long time. In 1961, it was renamed McGraw Tower. This new name honored either Jennie McGraw or her father, John McGraw, who was a university trustee.

Playing the Cornell Chimes

A special group of students called "chimesmasters" play the bells. There are usually about ten chimesmasters. They play three concerts every day during the school year. They also play on a shorter schedule in the summer and during breaks. This makes the Cornell Chimes one of the largest and most often played chimes in the world. Sometimes, people mistakenly call the chimes a "carillon". However, a true carillon has at least 23 bells and a different playing setup.

Music on the Chimes

The chimesmasters play many different kinds of music. This includes classical songs and modern pieces. They play music by famous composers like Beethoven and Franz Schubert. They also play songs by The Beatles and Scott Joplin. Some popular songs played often are Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches and the theme from The Muppet Show. Many original songs are also played. The chimes have a huge music library with over two thousand songs. These songs are specially arranged for the bells, and some are even duets.

Every morning concert, since 1869, starts with a song called "Cornell Changes." It's also known as the "Jennie McGraw Rag." Chimesmasters try to play its 549 notes as fast as they can! The "Cornell Alma Mater" is played at the midday concert. The "Cornell Evening Song" finishes the evening concert.

Becoming a Chimesmaster

Each spring, students can try out to become a chimesmaster. These students are called "compets." They go through a tough ten-week competition. The only things you need to try out are being able to read music and having the energy to climb 161 steps. This climb is needed to reach the playing area, as there's no elevator.

First, compets must learn the three traditional Cornell songs. These are the "Jenny McGraw Rag," the "Alma Mater," and the "Cornell Evening Song." Compets practice on a special instrument. It has levers that hit tuned bars, like a xylophone. This lets them learn without the whole campus hearing them.

To move to the next round, compets must show they know these three songs very well. They also have to read a new piece of music on the spot. This tryout happens on the main chimes console. But compets only press the levers halfway, so the bells stay silent. Those who pass this silent tryout then get coached for concerts. Finally, they play judged concerts. Here, compets take on all the duties of a real chimesmaster.

Everyone is welcome to visit the Cornell Chimes during any concert!

McGraw Tower History

In 1873, the chimes were moved from a ground-level stand to McGraw Hall. Then, in 1891, they moved to their permanent home. This home is at the top of McGraw Tower. William Henry Miller, a Cornell graduate, designed the tower.

The tower is 173 feet (53 meters) tall. It is Cornell's most famous landmark. It stands right next to Uris Library. Inside the tower, there's an office, a museum, and a practice room. There's also a restored 1875 Seth Thomas clock. This clock has a huge 14-foot pendulum. Visitors can still see the clockworks and pendulum. In 1999, the clock was connected to the Global Positioning System (GPS) to keep perfect time.

Tower Pranks

McGraw Tower has been the site of some famous pranks!

On October 8, 1997, a large pumpkin appeared on top of the tower's spire. No one knows how it got there. It was too dangerous to get it down, so officials decided to leave it. They thought it would rot and fall off. But the pumpkin dried out in the cold air. It stayed on the tower until March 13, 1998! A crane was used to remove it. Some people thought it had to be a fake pumpkin. But scientists and students later studied it. They used biology, chemical, and DNA tests. They confirmed it was a real pumpkin!

In April 2005, a disco ball was put on top of the tower. A crane had to be hired to take it down. This cost the university about $20,000.

On December 1, 2019, a giant Santa Claus hat was found on the tower's top.

Images for kids

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  McGraw Tower

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  John McGraw Hall, foreground with McGraw Tower in the background.

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  The pumpkin atop the tower, as seen by a surprised alumnus, November 21, 1997.

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  A late 19th or early 20th century view of the clocktower