June 28, 2019
Make Music Day – thank you!
Congratulations to all who took part in last Friday’s record-setting Make Music Day! More than 5,100 music-making events took place around the U.S. on June 21, along with tens of thousands of musicians in 120 countries around the world who celebrated the day.
2019 was the biggest Make Music Day yet! Read all about it on our press page, including new coverage in the Associated Press, Travel + Leisure, and Vox.com.
And check out the footage from our international livestream on June 21st, with 12 hours of live performances from Hong Kong, Sydney, London, Argentina, France, Germany, the U.S., and so much more.
Finally, mark your calendar for Make Music Winter on Saturday, December 21, 2019, and the next Make Music Day on Sunday, June 21, 2020!
June 28, 2019
NAMM and the Make Music Experience
Make Music Day’s growth would never have been possible without the leadership support of NAMM and the NAMM Foundation, which advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.
We cannot thank them enough.
NAMM is famous for its two annual, members-only music conventions in Anaheim CA and Nashville TN. This year, Summer NAMM will open its doors to the public on July 20th for the aptly named Make Music Experience at Music City Center in Nashville TN: an all-day, all-access event for music enthusiasts to demo the latest music and pro audio gear from top manufacturers. Enjoy career-enhancing education sessions, demo products and enjoy fun, interactive events and performances!
Purchase your Make Music Experience passes here!
June 20, 2019
Press Previews for Make Music Day
Selected National Coverage…
"Ready to Start Making Music? You Can Join the Jam on 'Make Music Day'," by Laura B. Whitmore, Parade Magazine, June 20, 2019
"June 2019: A taste of what's happening around the world this month," Delta Sky Magazine, June 2019
"Make Music New York," by Jay Ruttenberg, The New Yorker, June 19, 2019 "Festivals worth traveling to this summer," by Harriet Baskas, CNBC, May 12, 2019
"'Make Music Day' 2019 Details Free Events, Concerts Nationwide," by Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, March 29, 2019
"Music & Arts Announces Make Music Festivities," by Brian Berk, The Retailers, May 13, 2019
"International Make Music Day Returns in June For Its 21st Year of Interactive Events," by Ana Yglesias, Recording Academy Grammy Awards, March 29, 2019
… and ten stand-out local previews:
- Bethlehem, NH: "Bethlehem becomes part of a national effort to bring free music to all"
- Chattanooga, TN: "All styles for all ages: Make Music Chattanooga features dozens of performers"
- Chicago, IL: "Preview: Make Music Chicago Celebrates the Solstice on Friday"
- Columbia, SC: "One Columbia Readies Fifth Year of Make Music Day, Sticking to Event's Core Ethos"
- Connecticut: "Make Music Day to ring in summer with hundreds of live, free concerts on the streets of Connecticut"
- Durham, NC: "What's going on this week? Here are 13 of our Best Bets"
- Milwaukee, WI: "5 Acts to See When Make Music Returns to Milwaukee"
- Provo, UT: "For more than 60 years, Bill Harris ran a music store in Provo. Here’s how his 27-year-old grandson is continuing his legacy"
- Portland, ME: "Organizers gearing up for Make Music Portland's 7th year"
- Worcester, MA: "International Make Music Day welcomes summer Friday across Worcester"
Visit our media page (link) for even more press coverage from around the U.S.!
June 20, 2019
60-Second San Jose Songs
For the third annual Make Music San Jose, the San José Chamber Orchestra had the brilliant idea to curate and perform new one-minute musical works, written by community members and inspired by the city itself.
The My San Jose Song project has received 27 submissions, to be performed tomorrow afternoon at the City Hall rotunda.
Like many of Make Music Day's participatory projects, My San Jose Song is being supported by the Music Performance Trust Fund, a longstanding Make Music Day partner that provides admission-free, live, quality music, performed by professional musicians, to people of all ages and backgrounds across North America. Many thanks to the MPTF!
June 20, 2019
pBuzzing Around the U.S.
Warwick Music joins Make Music Day this year with an unusual new instrument.
In nine U.S. cities this year, groups of elementary school students will perform with pBuzzes, an introductory brass instrument (made of plastic) with a slide.
After a fun time of learning, students will play a few simple songs on Make Music Day to celebrate their musical achievements, such as a version of James Brown’s “I Feel Good” with pBuzzes playing the famous horn line.
June 20, 2019
Make Music City of the Week: Fullerton
Ever since Leo Fender quit repairing radios and started making guitars in his hometown of Fullerton, California, the city has been a musical mainstay.
Today the legacy continues with a fantastic Make Music Day celebration, known locally as Day of Music Fullerton. This year, over 140 musical groups are performing at 40 locations on June 21, with innovative programs like Bach on the Block for classical musicians and a New Orleans-themed boombox parade.
Check out the full schedule here!
June 17, 2019
Landmarks Across the U.S. Shining Orange for Make Music Day
For the third year, more than 30 buildings and landmarks around the country will turn orange in honor of Make Music Day!
Three bridges, four City Halls, and national landmarks like Niagara Falls, DC’s Capital Wheel, and Vermont’s Bennington Battle Monument will all participate by turning orange – evoking the sun, the start of summer, and the Make Music Day logo – on June 21 or the evening before.
Click here for the complete list!
June 17, 2019
#makemusicday
If you’re posting about Make Music Day on social media, we want to see it and help spread your message!
Please use the hashtag #makemusicday across media platforms, along with any local hashtag your city may be using. Over the next few days we will be watching for the hashtag and reposting.
June 17, 2019
A Mass of Harmonicas
For the seventh straight year, Hohner joins Make Music Day with an epic, nationwide harmonica blow out.
On June 21, some 4,000 first-time players will learn the basics of the instrument in massive, outdoor lessons and jam sessions held in over 40 cities across North America. After the free lessons – many led by Hohner artists – each player will get to keep their own high-quality Hohner Blues Band harmonica, to continue playing and learning at home.
Click here to see all 45 Hohner harmonica events for Make Music Day!
June 17, 2019
Make Music Country of the Week: China
Make Music China started in 2016, as a pilot project of the China Musical Instrument Association (CMIA).
Its growth ever since has been remarkable. Last year, 160,000 performers took part in 3,000 Make Music Day events across the country, with highlights including traditional Chinese music at Beijing’s Park of Temple of Heaven, 30 events in Huang Qiao Town (the epicenter of Chinese violin making), and a government-issued Make Music China postage stamp.
Over 4,000 events will take place in 160 cities for Make Music China in 2019. For the first time, they will be accompanied by a Make Music Day mascot named Wukong (see post below).
Congratulations to the CMIA for bringing music to millions on June 21!