The third BBC Music Day takes place on Thursday 15th June with a theme of  “The Power of Music” – how it can bring us together, make us feel fantastic and create unforgettable memories

This year, ringing is again making its presence felt and appears as Number 2 in the BBC’s listing of its Top 10 Music Day Events.

Ringing Events to listen out for or take part in

Global Ringing Event

• Bands from around the world are ringing at 7pm local time in support of BBC Music Day. So far more than 220 UK towers have registered with the BBC to ring at 7pm on Thursday 15th June, and their numbers have been swelled by over 30 more overseas towers, including Zimbabwe, Kenya, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Bermuda.

Knowing that Church bells are a wonderful symbol of community cohesion,  and since Music Day is all about uniting people through music, the BBC hope that the sound of bells will provide a memorable moment.

For an updated list of towers taking part, see the BBC Music Day website.  

Shaun Keaveny on BBC 6 Music

• The Central Council’s new president, Christopher O’Mahony, takes up the challenge of teaching BBC 6 Music Breakfast Presenter, Shaun Keaveny to ring from scratch – listen to BBC 6 Music from 7am on 15^th June to find out how he got on.

Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 2

• Christopher is also due to contribute to Radio 2’s Simon Mayo show the same afternoon (BBC Radio 2 from 5pm).

Other Music Day Events

Many hundreds of other events are taking place across the UK.  For more details, see the BBC Music Day website.

• BBC Local Radio and the British Plaque Trust will unveil 45 new plaques to commemorate people or places that have influenced the musical landscape across the UK
• 50,000 pupils in 263 schools will take part in the BBC’s “Ten Pieces” classical music project by playing in “Ten Pieces” assemblies.
• In Bradford, 800 children aim to beat the current Bamboo Tamboo world record.
• In Portsmouth over a thousand children aim to create a new drumming world record
• In Sheffield, 1000 musicians are performing over 24 hours

There’s still time to register…..

There is still time to register to ring on BBC Music Day, so if your band would like to take part, simply :-

• Agree with your venue, plan your band, what you will ring and any special event or dedication associated with your performance.
• Email the BBC Music Day team at to let them know you’ll be taking part with the subject heading “RINGING EVENT – <Your Location> <Your Country> and include in your email :-
  • A contact email and mobile phone number
  • Who will be ringing and what will be rung
  • Details of any event, story or dedication associated with your performance, which will be of interest to the BBC’s audience.
• Ring, starting at 7pm local time on Thursday 15^th

The BBC may invite you to submit a video or audio clip of your ringing on the day.  If so, they will contact you using the email or phone number you have provided.