A new way of listening: my month of sound adventures

Five days on the beautiful, grounding Welsh land hosted by Bear and Shion from B Love Sacred Sound was nothing short of a profound gift. From the moment we arrived, our hosts opened their home with such extraordinary grace, kindness, and warmth. They have created a true sanctuary, making us all feel deeply welcome and cared for as we prepared to dive into the world of sound.

Our training was led by Mike Tamburo, an utter sound wizard and his partner Angela. Together, they are a powerhouse of inspiration and teaching. They shared their immense knowledge with radical generosity, breaking down complex music theory and introducing us to advanced techniques that shifted how we approach the instrument.

We explored the intricate language of rhythm, time, and interval relationships, learning how to structure soundscapes that are both compositionally brilliant and deeply intuitive. Using B Love's professional flumies alongside our mallets and Mike and Angela’s rhythmic methods we opened up hidden voices in the gongs that I didn't know existed.

What a climax followed that magical retreat. I had the ultimate honour and privilege of transitioning from those intimate hills into the majestic, neoclassical architecture of The Great Hall at St George's Hall in Liverpool.

A massive thank you to Martin from Frequency of the Dragon, and Sarah for organising this absolute belter of an event. Bringing together the Hawkswood class of 2024 in such a monumental space was a stroke of genius. Stepping into a Grade I-listed landmark known for its massive, cathedral-like acoustics was awe-inspiring.

Bringing the techniques, rhythms, and deep resonance I had just cultivated in Wales into that vast, prestigious space alongside my incredible classmates and gong family was an unforgettable opportunity. The way the sound waves expanded, interacted with the historic stone, and hung in the air of the hall felt deeply sacred.

As the final waves of the gong bath began to recede, the last sounds to echo through the space were three deliberate, incredible strikes on a sacred bell. The pure resonance sent absolute goosebumps rippling across my skin. Then, the silence was gently filled by Martin on the shruti box, leading a beautiful, haunting chant of Om Mani Padme Hum, perfectly accompanied by Jess on the violin. The blend of the drone, the strings, and the sacred mantra hung in the air like a collective prayer.

Thanks to the dedication of Mike and Angela, the warmth of Bear and Shion, the stellar organisation of Martin and Sarah, and the brilliant energy of the class of Hawkswood 2024, my love for sound has deepened in ways I cannot fully measure.

It has been a month of pure magic that has given me more treasured memories. I hear the gong and the entire world around me, completely differently now.

Love,

Francesca x