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{{Short description|Chime on the campus of Cornell University}}
{{Stack|float=right|
[[File:Cornell Mcgraw USA.jpg|thumb|right|McGraw Tower]]
[[File:CentralAvenueCornell2.jpg|thumb|right|[[John McGraw (merchant)|John McGraw]] Hall, foreground with McGraw Tower in the background.]]
[[File:Detroit Photographic Company (0599).jpg|thumb|right|A late 19th or early 20th century view of the clocktower]]
}}
The '''Cornell Chimes''' is a 21-bell [[Chime (bell instrument)|chime]] in [[McGraw Tower]] on the central campus of [[Cornell University]], in [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[United States]].

The chime originally had nine bells, donated by [[Jennie McGraw]].<ref>{{Cite journal|title = The Quad on the Hill: An Account of the First Buildings at Cornell|jstor = 988191|journal = Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians|date = 1963-12-01|pages = 199–216|volume = 22|issue = 4|doi = 10.2307/988191|first = Kermit C.|last = Parsons}}</ref> They first rang at the University's opening ceremonies on October 7, 1868, and have since marked the hours and been used for chiming concerts.

The tower, long called "the Library Tower", was renamed in 1961.<ref>[http://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/25333?mode=full ''Uris Library celebrated''] by Martin B. Stiles, 'Cornell Chronicle', October 26, 1989</ref> Whether the new name was intended to honor Jennie McGraw or her father, trustee [[John McGraw (merchant)|John McGraw]], was not specified at the time.<ref>[http://cornellsun.com/blog/2013/10/18/ezras-oracle-oct-19-2013/ "Ezra's Oracle"]. ''Cornell Daily Sun''. October 19, 2013. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330065329/http://cornellsun.com/blog/2013/10/18/ezras-oracle-oct-19-2013/ |date=March 30, 2014 }}</ref>

==The Cornell Chimes==
The bells are played by a group of "chimesmasters." About ten chimesmasters play three concerts daily during the school year and a reduced schedule during the summer and semester breaks, making it one of the largest and most frequently played chimes in the world. The chimes are sometimes mistakenly called a "[[carillon]]" which is incorrect as a true carillon has at least 23 bells, and a different playing console.

Many styles of music are played on the bells, including classical and modern pieces by a range of composers, including [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]], [[The Beatles]], [[Franz Schubert]], and [[Scott Joplin]]. Commonly played pieces include [[Edward Elgar]]'s ''[[Pomp and Circumstance Marches]]'' and the theme from ''[[The Muppet Show]]'', as well as a multitude of original compositions. The chimes' music library contains over two-thousand specially arranged pieces and original compositions—both solos and [[duet]]s.

Every morning concert, since 1869, has begun with the "Cornell Changes" (affectionately known as the "Jennie McGraw Rag"). The chimesmasters' goal is to play its 549 notes as quickly as
possible. The Cornell "Alma Mater" is played at the midday concert, and the "Cornell Evening Song" at the end of the evening concert.

Each spring semester potential chimesmasters, "compets", undergo a rigorous ten-week competition to become a chimesmaster. The only requirement to compete is an ability to read music and the energy to climb the 161 steps to operate the playing clavier (there is no mechanical assistance). The first stage of competition requires that compets learn the three traditional Cornell pieces (the "Jenny McGraw Rag," the "Alma Mater," and the "Cornell Evening Song"). Compets play a practice instrument, where the levers strike tuned bars with hammers (like a [[xylophone]]), allowing them to learn the instrument without the whole campus listening. To advance to the next round of competition, compets must demonstrate their mastery of the three songs, in addition to sight reading a piece. This audition is played on the main chimes console, but compets only press the dampers halfway, and therefore the chimes remain silent. Those who pass the silent audition move on to coached concerts, and then, finally, judged concerts, where compets take on the full responsibilities of a chimesmaster.

The Cornell Chimes welcome visitors to all concerts.

==McGraw Tower==
In 1873, the chimes were moved from a ground-level playing stand to McGraw Hall. In 1891, they were moved to their permanent home atop [[McGraw Tower]], designed by Cornell alumnus [[William Henry Miller (architect)|William Henry Miller]]. The 173-foot (53 m) tower is Cornell's most prominent landmark and is adjacent to Uris Library. The tower is also home to an office, museum, practice room, and a restored 1875 [[Seth Thomas (clockmaker)|Seth Thomas]] clock with a 14-foot [[pendulum]]. Visitors can still see the [[clockwork]]s and [[pendulum]], but the clock was linked to the [[Global Positioning System]] in 1999.

==See also==
* [[Altgeld Chimes]]
* ''[[Far Above Cayuga's Waters]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|McGraw Tower (Cornell University)}}
*[http://www.chimes.cornell.edu Cornell Chimes Website]
*[http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/April98/PumpkinDecision.bpf.html The story of the pumpkin]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050505205032/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=139641 entry on McGraw Tower]}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lywI0RnfASM Video of chimes being played - Part 1]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyWs27_TX-I Video of chimes being played - Part 2]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG3AnVdyUqc Video of chimes being played - Part 3]

{{Cornell}}

{{coord|42.44757|-76.48505|format=dms|type:landmark_region:US-NY|display=title}}

[[Category:Cornell University|Chimes]]
[[Category:Bells (percussion)]]
[[Category:Clock towers in New York (state)]]

← Previous revision		Revision as of 23:01, 15 September 2025
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	{{Short description\|Chime on the campus of Cornell University}}		{{Use American English\|date=September 2025}}{{Short description\|Chime on the campus of Cornell University}}
	{{Stack\|float=right\|		{{Stack\|float=right\|
	[[File:Cornell Mcgraw USA.jpg\|thumb\|right\|McGraw Tower]]		[[File:Cornell Mcgraw USA.jpg\|thumb\|right\|McGraw Tower]]
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	The chime originally had nine bells, donated by [[Jennie McGraw]].<ref>{{Cite journal\|title = The Quad on the Hill: An Account of the First Buildings at Cornell\|jstor = 988191\|journal = Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians\|date = 1963-12-01\|pages = 199–216\|volume = 22\|issue = 4\|doi = 10.2307/988191\|first = Kermit C.\|last = Parsons}}</ref> They first rang at the University's opening ceremonies on October 7, 1868, and have since marked the hours and been used for chiming concerts.		The chime originally had nine bells, donated by [[Jennie McGraw]].<ref>{{Cite journal\|title = The Quad on the Hill: An Account of the First Buildings at Cornell\|jstor = 988191\|journal = Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians\|date = 1963-12-01\|pages = 199–216\|volume = 22\|issue = 4\|doi = 10.2307/988191\|first = Kermit C.\|last = Parsons}}</ref> They first rang at the University's opening ceremonies on October 7, 1868, and have since marked the hours and been used for chiming concerts.

	The tower, long called "the Library Tower", was renamed in 1961.<ref>[~~http~~://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/25333?mode=full ''Uris Library celebrated''] by Martin B. Stiles, 'Cornell Chronicle', October 26, 1989</ref> Whether the new name was intended to honor Jennie McGraw or her father, trustee [[John McGraw (merchant)\|John McGraw]], was not specified at the time.<ref>[http://cornellsun.com/blog/2013/10/18/ezras-oracle-oct-19-2013/ "Ezra's Oracle"]. ''Cornell Daily Sun''. October 19, 2013. {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330065329/http://cornellsun.com/blog/2013/10/18/ezras-oracle-oct-19-2013/ \|date=March 30, 2014 }}</ref>		The tower, long called "the Library Tower", was renamed in 1961.<ref>[https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/25333?mode=full ''Uris Library celebrated''] by Martin B. Stiles, 'Cornell Chronicle', October 26, 1989</ref> Whether the new name was intended to honor Jennie McGraw or her father, trustee [[John McGraw (merchant)\|John McGraw]], was not specified at the time.<ref>[http://cornellsun.com/blog/2013/10/18/ezras-oracle-oct-19-2013/ "Ezra's Oracle"]. ''Cornell Daily Sun''. October 19, 2013. {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330065329/http://cornellsun.com/blog/2013/10/18/ezras-oracle-oct-19-2013/ \|date=March 30, 2014 }}</ref>

	==The Cornell Chimes==		==The Cornell Chimes==
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	{{Commons category\|McGraw Tower (Cornell University)}}		{{Commons category\|McGraw Tower (Cornell University)}}
	*[http://www.chimes.cornell.edu Cornell Chimes Website]		*[http://www.chimes.cornell.edu Cornell Chimes Website]
	*[~~http~~://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/April98/PumpkinDecision.bpf.html The story of the pumpkin]		*[https://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/April98/PumpkinDecision.bpf.html The story of the pumpkin]
	*{{usurped\|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050505205032/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=139641 entry on McGraw Tower]}}		*{{usurped\|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050505205032/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=139641 entry on McGraw Tower]}}
	*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lywI0RnfASM Video of chimes being played - Part 1]		*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lywI0RnfASM Video of chimes being played - Part 1]

Cornell Chimes - Revision history

imported>Panamitsu: add {{Use American English}} template per MOS:TIES

imported>Epicgenius: /* McGraw Tower */Link