For 45 years, the chimes in the tower of Altgeld Hall on the University of Illinois Urbana campus were played by Chimesmaster Sue Wood, and volunteers that she trained. She was honored at Altgeld on Monday by 30 friends and fellow performers, officially retiring from her role as Chimemaster. But she still plans to play occasionally when safety upgrades in the Altgeld Tower are complete. 

For decades, the chimes at the University of Illinois’ Altgeld Tower were open for tours and featured in daily noon hour concerts. But that’s all over for the foreseeable future until safety repairs can be made to the tower. Meanwhile, some of the volunteers who have been giving the concerts question why it’s taken administrators so long to make a decision. The Altgeld Tower bells were dedicated in 1920.

Since the 1920's, daily concerts played on the chimes at Altgeld Hall have regaled students on the Urbana campus Quad of the University of Illinois. But only a few have been responsible for playing those chimes over the years. There’s no doubt performances will continue – it’s just a matter of who may be giving them.