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!
June 17, 2019
Wukong, the Make Music China Mascot
Make Music China has grown from a pilot program in a few Chinese cities in 2016, to an enormous undertaking with over 4,000 events in 160 cities across the country, led by the China Musical Instrument Association (CMIA).
This year, Make Music China unveils its first mascot, a musical figure named “Wukong” whose image will accompany Make Music Day events around the country.
June 12, 2019
Make Music City of the Week: Chicago
Make Music Chicago is one of North America’s longest-running Make Music Day celebrations, and consistently one of the most innovative.
Presented by the International Music Foundation, Make Music Chicago this year will include a side-by-side play-along with the Chicago Philharmonic; workshops for audio production, steel pans, and kazoos; a flute choir reading session; a Suzuki violin playdown; and a participatory round-singing performance, among hundreds of other events. Chicago’s Sousapalooza will return for the ninth straight year.
Visit the Make Music Chicago website to learn more!
June 12, 2019
Drumbeat to June 21st
People in cities around the country will come outside next week on Make Music Day for special bucket drumming and percussion workshops.
In 30+ cities, all percussionists who attend – kids and adults, professionals and first-timers – will be handed a pair of drum sticks generously donated by Vic Firth and invited to make music together. The events will range from structured classes to free-flowing drum circles, according to the concept of each local organizer.
Explore the percussion events here!
June 12, 2019
Sousapalooza
Since 2011, Make Music Chicago has pioneered the Sousapalooza – an invitation for hundreds of brass, wind, and percussion players to come together and sightread the music of The March King, John Philip Sousa.
This Make Music Day, Sousapaloozas will be held in eight cities around the US, including, for the first time, one in Anchorage, Alaska.
Download the music, bring your horn, and join the band!
June 12, 2019
Sousapalooza
Since 2011, Make Music Chicago has pioneered the Sousapalooza – an invitation for hundreds of brass, wind, and percussion players to come together and sightread the music of The March King, John Philip Sousa.
This Make Music Day, Sousapaloozas will be held in eight cities around the US, including, for the first time, one in Anchorage, Alaska.
Download the music, bring your horn, and join the band!
June 12, 2019
Sousapalooza
Since 2011, Make Music Chicago has pioneered the Sousapalooza – an invitation for hundreds of brass, wind, and percussion players to come together and sightread the music of The March King, John Philip Sousa.
This Make Music Day, Sousapaloozas will be held in eight cities around the US, including, for the first time, one in Anchorage, Alaska.
Download the music, bring your horn, and join the band!