The three workshops taking place at The Silk Mill on Sunday 9th July cover different aspects of bells and bell-ringing. None of them require any prior knowledge of music or bell-ringing, but the courses are also beneficial for current ringers. The workshops are suitable for all ages from 10 years up.

Bell tune writing

with composer Helen Ottaway and sound designer Alastair Goolden of Artmusic

The RING OUT team have assembled a bank of bell sounds, collected from church towers around the area. You are invited to create your own tune using these bell sounds to be played out across the centre of Frome on the new virtual carillon. A carillon is an instrument made up of many bells on which tunes can be played. There will be nothing to see, but we will hear bells chiming the hours and playing tunes.

There are many ways to envisage your tune. It may be a melody or series of notes in your head, a sequence of numbers or a geometric shape. We will try out tunes on handbells and then record them using a midi keyboard. Everyone will have a chance to make their own tune as well as taking part in the trying out of others’ tunes.

Listening & rhythm

with music teacher and bell-ringer Mary Hooper

Mary Hooper is tower captain of the Postlebury RIngers, who ring bells at the churches of Marston Bigot, Wanstrow and Nunney. Being both a musician and a bell-ringer she is uniquely qualified to teach the difference between rhythm in music and in bell-ringing.

Bell-ringing involves a particular kind of cooperation between members of a team - part watching, part listening. This workshop will help develop both senses and encourage teamwork, using counting, clapping and handbells.

Bell-ringing

Led by bell-ringing teachers Jenny Cornwell and Derek Livsey

Jenny and Derek are bell-ringers and education officer and deputy for the Frome Branch of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers.

Learning to ring with a dumb-bell and simulator reproduces the effect of ringing in a tower team. You will learn to handle the bell rope and experience the sensation of causing the bell to ring, and playing in sequence with other bells. For current and experienced ringers it is an opportunity to try different methods and changes.