Toll the Bell is a city-wide sound installation and commissioned performances bringing greater awareness to the gun violence epidemic affecting our city and the nation.

A collaboration with Penn’s Office of the Chaplain and Interfaith Philadelphia bringing together faith-based organizations, community groups, and other partners from across the Philadelphia region, Toll the Bell is  a call to action, using the transformative power of the arts to inspire and unite Philadelphians to catalyze positive change for the city’s future.

In the wake of historic surges in gun-related crime, community-based violence prevention initiatives are making a notable impact. Since 2022, Philadelphia has seen a 42% reduction in gun violence victims, yet the crisis persists, and further action is needed. Now in its second year, Toll the Bell aims to amplify this critical balance, highlighting the vital progress made and creating space for the hope that fuels continued change.

At 1 PM on June 6, National Gun Violence Awareness Day, a prolonged period of bell ringing and other sound-making will take place at 45+ locations across the city and beyond. A collaboration with Penn’s Office of the Chaplain, Interfaith Philadelphia and many faith-based organizations and other partners, the sound installation will be paired with an interfaith vigil service and a community walk of reflection.

Newly this year, two Philadelphia-based artists have been commissioned to create and perform a work reflecting on this uniquely American tragedy: jazz vocalist/composer Ruth Naomi Floyd (June 6-7) and the West Philly community jam band, Omar’s Hat (June 7).

Through this sonic device and artistic response, Toll the Bell exemplifies how the performing arts serve as a powerful catalyst for addressing society’s issues. On June 6-7, Philadelphians will come together to pause and reflect, but Toll the Bell is not a profile of tragedy; it is a resounding call to action — a literal ringing of the bell — urging us to work towards transformative change for the future of our city.

June 6

Interfaith Vigil Service
12:15 PM | Annenberg Center
Arrive by 12 PM as the vigil will start promptly.

• Welcome by Christopher Gruits, Penn Live Arts Executive & Artistic Director
• Declaration by Rev. Charles (Chaz) Lattimore Howard, University Chaplain and Vice President for Social Equity & Community
• Prayers and Reflections by the Religious Leaders Council

Reflective Walk
12:55 PM | From the Annenberg Center to Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
Immediately following the vigil, while the bells are tolling, walk as a group to the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral.

Sound Installation
1 PM | City-Wide
Marking National Gun Violence Awareness Day, there will be a prolonged period of bell ringing and other sound-making taking place at 45+ locations across the city and beyond. Connect with us and all of Philadelphia while the bells are ringing. Share a video or post and use #tollthebell.

Performance: Ruth Naomi Floyd
1:15 PM | Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, 19 S 38th Street
Philadelphia’s own sacred jazz vocalist and composer, Ruth Naomi Floyd, performs Echoes: Shattered Flesh and Breathless Souls, a commissioned work reflecting on the devastating impact of gun violence.

June 7

Performance
2 PM | Tindley Temple United Methodist, 750 S Broad Street
For this program, there will be an encore of Ruth Naomi Floyd’s Echoes: Shattered Flesh and Breathless Souls as well as several speakers and a two-part commissioned work by Omar’s Hat.

Press Release

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