There are few structures as pervasive and iconic at Iowa State as the Campanile. A freestanding clock tower with a carillon – a keyboard of wooden levers and pedals connected to bells – Iowa State’s Campanile is one of only a handful among U.S. universities.

It would seem unlikely that an individual standing at 5 feet 5 inches would be able to handle playing the carillon – an instrument that is essentially 20 times his or her size.

But Tin-Shi Tam, associate professor of music, takes on this task with little or no effort.

As university carillonneur, Tam can be heard playing the carillon bells every weekday from 11:50 a.m. until 12:10 p.m. The pieces she chooses come from all types of genres, and have been transposed to a format conducive to the instrument itself.

Andrew Koppenhaver, freshman in agricultural engineering, said he’s heard all kinds of music played from the Campanile bells.

“I think I even heard ‘Yellow Submarine’ playing as I walked by the MU one time. I guess I wouldn’t have known someone actually was playing the music if I hadn’t actually seen people coming out afterwards, ” Koppenhaver said.

Actually seeing the carillon and how it is played is unique in itself. The keys are wooden rods arranged like a standard keyboard. The rods are connected to wires that pull on each bell’s own clapper device. To play it, the carillonneur rolls the butt of their fist across the key to make the clapper strike the bell. The lower octaves of the keyboard are doubled as foot pedals, which enables the musician to play more notes.

Students’ main misconception about the clock tower concerns the differences between the Campanile, the carillon and the array of bells it plays.

Tam said she heard several myths about what people think happens inside the tower walls.

“The story I always heard was they thought that someone was playing the chimes every 15 minutes, but the music was automatic. Maybe I should keep it that way,” Tam said.

Matthew Rector, junior in pre-business, takes lessons in playing the carillon. The lessons are part of Music 118E, which can be taken by music majors and nonmajors alike.

“I had a background in piano and organ and [playing the Carillon] was a lot different with the technique,” Rector said. “I don’t know how to explain it. Basically the whole process of learning all this new technique was exciting for me.”

Tam said the music department is going to hold a pseudo-open mic session in the Campanile as an added feature to the Veishea celebration this year. During the celebration, opportunities will be provided for people to come and tour the carillon chamber and get a chance to play whatever they wish. When the brave amateur carillonneurs play, cameras will show their performances on large television screens placed out on the Central Campus lawn.

In addition to the musical aspects that keep this ISU moniker alive, the Campanile is also a popular location for holding special events such as concerts, pep rallies, barbecues and annual greek events, including Yell Like Hell.

“It’s one of the first things you see when you come to the campus. It ties in a lot of our traditions,” said Matthew Lunn, junior in health and human performance.

Many students do their part by letting love take its course in the most popular tradition, commonly known as “campaniling,” which entails a couple kissing under the tower at midnight. Although this practice may seem trivial to some, there have been cases in which this tradition has been a memorable part of many couples’ long-lasting relationships.

Koppenhaver said he’s been campaniling each year with his fiancee around the homecoming celebration, and said he hopes to continue the tradition well into his alumni years.

“They say you’re not a true Iowa Stater until you’ve gone campaniling,” Koppenhaver said.

Since the Campanile’s erection in the 1800s, the tower has become synonymous with being a Cyclone. Not only is it used to advertise the university, but to symbolize it, as well.

“I think people identify the Campanile with Iowa State. It’s a symbol that we use on everything from diplomas to Veishea logos,” Lunn said.

Find out more on the Campanile and its history at www.music.iastate.edu/carillon/