Make Music Hartford is a live, free musical celebration on June 21, with concerts on streets, sidewalks, and parks across the city, coordinated by the Greater Hartford Arts Council.
What is Make Music Hartford?
Make Music Hartford is a part of the international Make Music Day movement which brings free, community-wide, outdoor musical celebrations to hundreds of cities worldwide! Every year, the celebration is held on June 21, the summer solstice, in more than 800 communities around the world.
Make Music Hartford will feature musicians of all abilities and music from any genre. Sidewalks, parks, front porches, and public spaces throughout the city will become stages for local musicians to perform and for all to enjoy. Everyone is invited to participate in this international day of music by performing, providing an outdoor space, appreciating, or volunteering. It’s all for the love of music!
Make Music Hartford is brought to you by the Greater Hartford Arts Council as part of our mission to inspire all people to participate and invest in the arts.
Registration is now open for musicians and venues to make music with us on June 21st!
Whether you’re in a band, a solo artist, a child, a senior, a student, a drummer or an accordion player, there’s room for you in Make Music Hartford.
Make Music Hartford isn’t limited to professional musicians, anyone can participate.
Create your profile by submitting description of your act, a photo, and any relevant website/social media links. Browse available venues and when you find one you like, submit a request. For additional tips on matching up with venues check out our Tips for Musicians.
Create a profile by submitting your location information, a description of the space, and times you are willing to host music. Browse the musician profiles to request a performance. For additional tips on matching up with venues check out our Tips for Venues.
We have jam sessions and play-along events that welcome any musician interested in participating. Visit our Spotlight Events page to find out where you can join the music making.
Check out our list of Spotlight Events to find free music lessons or sit back and enjoy the performances happening around the city.
The Greater Hartford Arts Council will work with the City of Hartford to secure necessary permits for Make Music Hartford performers. Permits are required for any musician using public property such as sidewalks and city parks. Performances on private property do not require the same permits, but must abide by noise ordinances already in place. If a musical event happens in one of the Greater Hartford suburbs, it is up to the venue and musician to secure appropriate permits for that specific town or city.
Spectra Wired Café
Your support makes programs like Make Music Hartford possible. Discover branding opportunities for your company and help us provide free music to the Greater Hartford region.
Sponsorship Opportunities!
Make Music Hartford is a program of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire all people to participate and invest in the arts. Help us make events like Make Music Hartford possible through a tax deductible donation!
Donate Today
This program is made possible with the help of the Make Music Hartford Committee, an all volunteer committee supporting the Greater Hartford Arts Council staff in program planning. 2019 Committee members include:
Nelson Bello – Percussionist
Steve Cusano – Parkville Sounds
Jeff Devereux – Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
Megan Fitzgerald – YUPntwk
Charmagne Glass-Tripp – Grammy Award-Winning Vocalist and Lyricist
Dylan Healy – Funnybone Records
James Johnson – DJ Soul Selektah, Anti-Division League
Jackie Mandyck – The iQuilt Plan
Noa Michaud – Hartt School Community Division
Thien Nguyen – Hartford business professional
Kirk Woodard – Drummer
Volunteers are a critical part of Make Music Hartford. Here’s how you can be a part of the action:
Special thanks to the volunteer photographers who helped capture Make Music Hartford in photos and videos:
On June 21st, bands around the world will take to the streets to cover each other’s music and live stream their shows in a unique musical conversation called Bands Undercover. All creators of original music are welcome — from solo singer-songwriters and electronic music producers, to metal bands, brass ensembles, choirs or traditional folk instruments.Continue Reading »
The weather outside was a little frightful, but the small and mighty crowds that gathered for our CityPlace Caroling and Winter Solstice Jazz Trail kept up the holiday cheer! As the windy rain toppled umbrellas on an unseasonably warm Winter Solstice, The Music Moves Hartford Downtown Singers filled the CityPlace Lobby with song as theyContinue Reading »
Hartford Courant: “Make Music Hartford Celebrating the winter solstice with parade, concerts, drink specials at area bars” (December 17, 2018)
National Make Music Winter Press Release: “Make Music Winter to Expand Nationwide This December 21” (October 17, 2018)
Hartford Courant: “Hartford Joins Global Make Music Day with Concerts Around the City” (June 21, 2018)
Hartford Courant: “Music to Fill the Streets as Connecticut Joins Global Make Music Day” (June 18, 2018)
USA Today: “Where to Celebrate Make Music Day Across the Country” (June 15, 2018)
Patch: “Free Concerts Set for Make Music Day in West Hartford” (June 15, 2018)
Billboard Magazine: “Make Music Day To Return This Summer With More Than 4,500 Concerts” (April 4, 2018)
Rolling Stone:“‘Make Music Day’ Plots 4,500 Free Events, Concerts Nationwide” (April 3, 2018)
National Make Music Day Press Release: “Make Music Day 2018 Returns On Thursday, June 21” (March 28, 2018)
Hartford Courant: “Connecticut to Join Global Make Music Day” (March 14, 2018)
WILI 95.3 FM, Windham Arts Radio Review: Interview with Aaron Friedman of the Make Music Alliance (February 28, 2018)
Make Music Alliance: “Media Resources”
Get in touch with us…
Amanda Roy
Community Programs Manager
Greater Hartford Arts Council
aroy[at]letsgoarts.org