"Carol of the Bells" (also known as the "Ukrainian Bell Carol") is a Christmas song originally composed by Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych based on a Ukrainian New Years chant known as "Shchedryk" and adapted into English by Peter Wilhousky. It was first performed in December 1916 by students at Kiev University and was introduced to the Western audiences when it was included in the repertoire of the Ukrainian National Chorus during its 1,000-plus concert tour around Europe and the Americas. It was introduced to American audiences on October 5, 1921 at Carnegie Hall.