It's been carilloneur Robert Gift's thankless task each Christmas for the last thirty years or so to whip the City and County Building's recalcitrant Robert Speer Memorial Chime into shape: Comprised of ten mannerless and hopelessly untuned bronze bells, the instrument -- if you can call it that -- has, let us say, some quirks. Yet Gift will do his damnedest to sculpt holiday tunes on request for a few brisk hours in the belfry both tomorrow night and on Christmas Eve.
Unfortunately, he notes, not long after the requests come in, the complaints follow. To which he replies: "One does not play bells. One inflicts them."
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Gift will play starting at 7:30 p.m. both nights at the City and County Building; to make a request, call 720-870-BELL (2355). And a happy holiday to you.
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