Cornell Chimes

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 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).To advance to the next round of competition, compets must demonstrate their mastery of the three songs, in addition to sight reading a piece.In 1891, they were moved to their permanent home atop McGraw Tower, designed by Cornell alumnus William Henry Miller.The tower is also home to an office, museum, practice room, and a restored 1875 Seth Thomas clock with a 14-foot pendulum.
McGraw Tower
John McGraw Hall, foreground with McGraw Tower in the background.
A late 19th or early 20th century view of the clocktower
John McGrawMcGraw TowerCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUnited StatesJennie McGrawcarillonBeethovenThe BeatlesFranz SchubertScott JoplinEdward ElgarPomp and Circumstance MarchesThe Muppet ShowxylophoneWilliam Henry MillerSeth ThomaspendulumclockworksGlobal Positioning SystemAltgeld ChimesFar Above Cayuga's WatersWayback MachineAgriculture and Life SciencesArchitecture, Art, and PlanningArts and SciencesEngineeringForestryHotel AdministrationHuman EcologyIndustrial and Labor RelationsBusinessGraduateMedicalSciencesTri-InstitutionalPublic AdministrationVeterinaryComputing and Information ScienceAthleticsBaseballMen's basketballWomen's basketballFootballMen's ice hockeyWomen's ice hockeyMen's lacrosseMen's soccerMen's squashWrestlingBarton HallBerman FieldHoy FieldJones Golf CourseLynah RinkNewman ArenaSchoellkopf FieldAll Sports CompetitionGive My Regards to DavyHarvard (hockey) rivalryTouchdown (mascot)CentralBuildingsA.D. White HouseArboretumArt MuseumBailey HallBalch HallBarnes HallBotanic GardensBradfield HallBrain CollectionCaldwell HallCenter for Advanced ComputingComputing and Communications CenterComstock HallFernow HallFuertes ObservatoryLibrariesLlenrocHartung–Boothroyd ObservatoryMorrill HallOrnithology LabRice HallRisley Residential CollegeSage ChapelSage HallStatue of Ezra CornellStimson HallSynchrotronTelluride HouseThompson InstituteStraight HallHistoryEzra CornellHenry W. SageAndrew Dickson WhiteStone HallRoberts HallEast Roberts HallCornell gorge suicidesIrving Literary SocietyMorrill Land-Grant ActsCornellianaClub of New YorkDragon DaySlope DayAlumniFacultyPresidentsTrusteesAdministrative Science QuarterlyCornell ChronicleCornell LunaticCornell Policy ReviewCornell ReviewDaily SunDiacriticsILR ReviewInternational Affairs ReviewInternational Law JournalJournal of Empirical Legal StudiesJournal of Law and Public PolicyLaw ReviewLegal Information InstituteOyez ProjectNew German CritiquePhilosophical ReviewCatholic CommunityChorusFraternities and sororitiesAleph SamachQuill and DaggerSphinx HeadGlee ClubHotel Ezra CornellMarching BandMessenger LecturesPep BandWVBR-FM