We hope this finds you safe and healthy. By now, we’d like to think the Covid pandemic  would be far behind us, but sadly that is not entirely the case.  As we plan for Make Music Day on June 21, 2023, we know many people are still hesitant about large gatherings, and may continue to mask. Some people will choose to continue “social distancing” and opt to remain at home. We want to support and promote ALL participants in any way we can. Home performances and  neighborhood music is a wonderful way to be a part of Make Music Day!

Despite any uncertainty, we wanted to let you know that Make Music Day will still be happening on June 21. Unlike traditional music festivals, Make Music Day is an open invitation for everyone to make music anywhere and everywhere. We hope to be taking over the streets with music on June 21, in some creative way. Regardless, we invite you to join one of the online Make Music Day initiatives that will take place no matter what.

In this time of social distancing, music’s powerful role to bring us together as a community is more important than ever.

Some of the special initiatives we will  joyfully be embracing  include the following:

 *FlowerPot Music: Music can come from anyone, anywhere, and anything – even flowerpots. Flowerpot Music, written by award-winning composer Elliot Cole and directed by percussionist Peter Ferry, is a composition for an unlikely but beautiful percussion instrument – the flowerpot! Bell-like tones are passed from performer to performer in improvised gestures called “blooms” that sweep through the group. The piece is written in simple prose and can be performed by non-musicians and musicians alike. Watch for more info on where and how you can participate!! https://www.makemusicday.org/national-projects/flowerpot-music/

*Junkophonics: Discover musicality in everything by building instruments out of found objects – junkophones! The performers and educators of Bash the Trash Environmental Arts, and percussionist/instrument-builder extraordinaire Craig Woodson from PlayDrums.com, have offered their innovative designs for wind, percussion, and string instruments made from everyday refuse. These amazing instruments offer us an opportunity to look at “junk” and music-making in a whole new way. Cities around the US will be hosting junkophonics workshops where people of all ages can make instruments from scratch together. There isn’t an event scheduled in your town? Don’t worry – instructional videos and printable sheets for all the instruments are below. Make your own and tag us @makemusicday! https://www.makemusicday.org/national-projects/junkophonics/

Of course, we still hope to come out together in public on June 21 — in the coming weeks, look for announcements from us. But above all, we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of the public during this challenging time and will follow the guidance of government health departments to make sure everyone stays safe.

Gleefully and with gratitude~ Your friends at  Make Music Day Green Bay, Mosaic Arts, Inc.