The Cornell Chimes, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

The McGraw Tower stands 173 feet above the Cornell University campus. In its belfry are the 21 bells that comprise the Cornell Chimes. The public is invited to attend the performances/concerts; each generally lasting about fifteen minutes, three times a day. There's a hitch though - you must walk up the 161 stairs to get to the area just below the belfry behind the clockfaces where the Cornell Chimesmasters create the music.



They only unlock and open the stairwell door a few minutes before each concert, so, with still a few minutes to wait around, I went into the adjacent library to catch a glimpse of the Hogwarts-like stacks.



I was not disappointed.



But back to the matter at hand - trudging up about 150 of these, followed by.......



....another dozen or so on this spiral section. Note the inside of one of the clockfaces at lower right.



The chimesmaster begins the concert from this playing stand at clock-face level. The cables attached to each pedal or handle pull the appropriate clapper on one of the 21 bells in the belfry above this level.



To be a chimesmaster requires at least three qualities: ability to read music, balance on one foot, and climb the 161 steps. Seriously. If you have those three attributes, then you must enter into a competition with other candidates hoping to be chosen to become a member of  the group of chimesmasters for the year.



Playing in your stocking feet makes it easier to feel the foot pedals and not have a bulky shoe in the way.



The original set of bells rang out at the University's opening ceremony in October 1868.



The chimesmaster is not only required to balance on one foot but, sometimes, to stretch the full width of the "keyboard" at the same time.



But  fifteen minutes passes quickly.......and the performance ends.



With my ears still faintly ringing, it's back out into the 23 degree F air to walk back down the hill. Was it worth the walk uphill and downhill in the cold and dark?  And the 161 stairs, too? You bet it was! I look forward to doing it again. (Note: I chose to attend the evening session because after 5pm, I can usually find a free and legal place to park on the campus that's not too far from the tower).