Bells echoed through the Financial District on Saturday as bands from across the country gathered at Trinity Church for the national Trinity Striking Competition. Participants showcased their skills in the ancient art of change ringing, where teams ring bells in complex sequences using ropes attached to bells weighing between 500 and 2,700 pounds.
Despite the lack of publicity, the competition drew bands from Washington, Boston, Smith College, and Trinity Church itself. World-renowned expert Simon Linford of England judged the teams based on their precision and coordination. Each team had memorized a specific sequence of eight bells, called a “touch,” consisting of 238 permutations.
Ringing enthusiasts from around North America have kept the art form alive, with England hosting a national 12-bell striking competition. The Trinity contest, the first in the U.S. in six years, focused more on the camaraderie among participants than on competition.
The Boston band emerged victorious, with the Washington team coming in second. New York, despite finishing third, saw the competition as an opportunity for band development. Trinity Church’s band, an eclectic mix of all ages, practices weekly and performs regularly for church services.
Looking to the future, the possibility of training younger members in the art of change ringing is being considered. Ten-year-old bell enthusiast Seraphim Ericsson, who dreams of competing one day, highlighted the challenge of ringing the church’s largest bell, weighing 2,700 pounds. Trinity Church remains a focal point for change ringing enthusiasts, who find joy in the practice for a lifetime.
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Photo credit gothamist.com