Cornell University The Cornell Chimes

What's New in the Tower

Summer — Have you seen a Cornell Chimes concert ever? lately? Summer is a lovely time to visit McGraw Tower and catch a live concert in action and there is always a gentle breeze in the belfry of the tower! Check our schedule (at right) for the list of upcoming concerts. Would you like to learn more about the chimes and chimesmasters? Click here to listen to this new podcast recently produced by the Cornell University Library.

Concerts

The Cornell Chimes are the university's oldest musical tradition, and one of the most frequently played set of bells on any American college campus. Housed in historic McGraw Tower, the 21-bells are played primarily by student chimesmasters.

All concerts are open to the public—you simply have to climb the tower's 161 steps. The door to the tower opens five to ten minutes before a scheduled concert and closes before concert's end. Your stair-climbing efforts will be rewarded with a spectacular view of Cornell and the surrounding community, and a musical performance like you've never seen before.

The Cornell Chimesmasters perform a regular program of three concerts daily while classes are in session and a modified schedule during exams and breaks. Please check the concert schedule for complete concert and special event information.