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Name That Tune Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

bellcurve: It was fun while it lasted. Time to go.

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Hidden : 4/18/2007
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

CACHE IS NOT AT LISTED COORDINATES. Hunt at your own risk.

To get the correct coordinates for this cache you will need to do some research and some other caching. I have placed four other caches in the Cedar Rapids area, each of which holds a clue or clues for this cache. They were all hidden on the same day.

You are to research the clues and identify a specific musical composition. When you have identified the composer and the title of the composition, you will need to do some math to get the correct coordinates for this cache. You are looking for three parts of the final answer: 1) the last name of the composer, 2) the title of the composition, and 3) the number of the composition. An example might be Brahms Symphony #4. You do not need to be concerned with the key of the piece or any other information in the title. In the example, the Symphony #4 is in e minor and is opus number 98, but you can ignore this information. You need only the title and the number of the composition.

Once you have the three pieces of the puzzle do the following math:
Multiply the number of the composition by .001. This number is aaa.
Add the letters of the composer's last name together (A=1, B=2, et al). Square that number, add 620, multiply by aaa, and add 35. This number is xx.xxx.
Add the letters of the title of the composition together (A=1, B=2, et al). Square that number, subtract 591, multiply by aaa, and add 17. This is yy.yyy.

The final number you get will be N 41 xx.xxx W 091 yy.yyy.

Some knowledge of classical music could be very helpful in solving this puzzle. The clues are intentionally vague and might be difficult. However, with some diligent research, someone with no classical music knowledge can solve this puzzle. You just have to decode the clues in the right way, and/or be very observant. It is also possible to decode the clues without finding all four caches. But you are a geocacher; finding caches is what you do, so you might as well go find all four. The cache itself is not hard to find. The difficulty rating reflects the difficulty of the puzzle.

This cache was hidden partially in response to the many other puzzle caches that require only math, engineering, logic, or other science education or thinking. I thought you might appreciate expanding you brain toward the arts and humanities. Since I have a strong background in the arts, I wanted to share something that I enjoy.

Please do not mention any part of the puzzle solution in your log. Any log that does so will be deleted without warning. You may contact me by email if you wish to comment on the solution to the puzzle.

The orginal contents of the cache are all related to music in some way. You do not need to continue that theme with your items, but you can if you wish.

By all means, contact me via email if you have questions. If you are stuck, email me and I will tell you if you have the right composer and piece. I will also give out hints if you are baffled. Have fun.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Hfr gur zbfg pbzzba fcryyvatf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)