The Language of Bells
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The Norfolk and Norwich Festival Gallery is now open for submissions! Keep checking back to see the new exhibits being added, and click here to send us your own contributions. We're looking for video clips of no more than 15 seconds in length, and don't forget to tell us why you've chosen your particular sound!

The Gallery
Our first exhibit is from Robbie, who says: Plates and mugs and glasses clinking is a great sound. Sonically it’s a bit jarring, but it either means someone’s done the washing up or we’re about to eat. Getting down plates and bowls from the cupboard is a bit like a swansong for the preparation of a meal, or a final chorus. My day centres around food and cooking, and the chiming of crockery, although grating, has a nice ceremonial feel to it.
Here is 5-year-old Tabitha ringing a bell. Tabitha says:
​I like to ring the bell outside my Granny's house, so she knows that I am there.

​This is a video from Sava, who says: This is the sound of me finding my front door key. I have a number of keys for different doors or modes of transport. I also have a few keyrings - one from Paris, another from Stockholm - which make the bundle a lot easier to find in the depths of my bags!

Here's a nice festive sound sent in by Sarah, who says: I found my bell when decorating the Christmas tree with my family this year, we forgot we had them and have had lots of fun with them this weekend. It reminds us of Christmases past with the children and how much we love this time of year.

A birthday greeting sent in by Sue, who says: This was a lockdown family birthday. I've rung handbells for most of my life.


​Here are some bells with a significant link to recent events. Linda writes: Ringing handbells as part of the tribute to Key Workers during lockdown on a Thursday evening in April 2020. All our neighbours were out clapping or making some noise which enhanced the feeling of solidarity.


​Here's a sound lots of us will recognise. Sava says: I hear this sound most days - the sound of an email arriving into my inbox!

What an unusual decoration! This was sent in by Daniel, who writes: I found a box of decanter stoppers and I made a light fitting from them. It's hung in my study but the ceiling is too low and I always bang my head. This is the sound of my head ringing!

Here's a lovely little bell from Octavia:
This bell looks like a lady. It is from my Great Grandma, Kitty Ellen. She lives in heaven.
​Octavia - aged 3.


​This is from Ann, who says: My lovely, loud bicycle bell. It tells people I am here. Welcomes them and warns them.


​This is a comforting sound! Robbie says: The whistling kettle reminds me of many happy camping holidays around Norfolk

Kate sent us this beautiful bowl - beautiful in both appearance and sound. She says: I started meditating about 8 years ago & the bell reminds me of stillness & quiet & resonance, all of which I find in my meditation.
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  • Home
  • About
  • Performances
  • Get Involved
    • Sound Exhibition
    • Creative Cafe
  • Meet the Team
    • People
    • Introducing the Instruments
    • Conversations with the composer
  • Contact