Every day at 5 p.m. the man upstairs serenades Duke University.
This man, J. Samuel Hammond, sits high above campus as the University carillonneur, sending down daily bell-clinking melodies from the Duke Chapel in one of the University's oldest traditions.
"Sam is a very remarkable man," said Samuel Wells, dean of the Chapel. "He has a wonderful gift for stating musically where the imagination of the University happens to lie."
Hammond began playing the unusual bell instrument, called a carillon, in 1965 as a sophomore at Duke. Despite some limited instruction, he essentially taught himself to play.
"I thought it was something I'd learn to do and probably keep doing for three more years while I was in school," Hammond said.
"I did that. I just never left," he added with a chuckle.
Since his college days, Hammond has held a number of jobs with the University, and he is currently an associate librarian in the Rare Book, Manuscript and Special Collections Library.
During his reign as carillonneur, Hammond has added his own personal touches to the daily bell tradition, which began when the carillon was installed in 1932.
He begins ringing the bells at exactly 5 p.m. to accommodate later class times-as opposed to ending at 5 p.m. like his predecessors.
"Amidst the chaos of Duke life, it's nice to have that regular, dependable tradition of bells to mark the end of the day," senior Molly Fulweiler said.
Hammond marks the end of each week by playing Duke's alma mater, "Dear Old Duke," to satisfy the sentimental wishes of former President Terry Sanford.
Hammond's musical catalogue also includes folk songs, hymns, and seasonal arrangements.
"Because the carillon is such a public instrument, it seems reasonable to me to try to respond to what might be in the mind of the public," he said. "At Fourth of July I play patriotic things, for example. At Christmas time I play Christmas carols."
In past weeks, students might have heard his rendition of the Olympic theme song, in honor of the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy."He's so experienced and imaginative that he's able to capture these things without making a big statement about it," Wells said, adding that he is impressed by Hammond's ability to play with such flexibility and skill on an instrument known for its massive size.
The carillon consists of 50 bells that range over four chromatic octaves, the largest weighing more than five tons.
Hammond plays the carillon's keyboard in a small room directly beneath the bells, pushing the keyboard of 50 oak batons with his fists and working the 26 pedals with his feet.
"In many ways, the carillon is closer to a percussion instrument than a keyboard instrument," Hammond said. "It's a very gratifying musical instrument because there's nothing between you and the making of the sound. You really are moving the clapper and striking the bells."
In the past, the carillon's vast sound range has been known to draw an audience.
During the 1930s and 1940s, former carillonneur Anton Brees' performances used to pack the Chapel Quadrangle with crowds of up to 10,000 people.
But Hammond is happy to remain in the background of campus life.
"I hope it's a pleasant experience for people, even if not that many people actually stop and listen," he said.
Fulweiler said she takes notice of the sound of the bells with relief, as they mark the end of each day.
For students who want to see the action up close, Hammond said he is happy to have visitors.
Interested students should e-mail him to set up a visit to the Chapel tower, Hammond said, adding that he takes individual requests.
When asked to play "Devil With a Blue Dress On" for a big basketball victory, Hammond just said, "Get me the sheet music."
Available online here
