The Make Music Alliance thanks this year’s U.S. partners!
Alfred Music
Alfred Music, a longstanding Make Music Day partner, returns in 2023 to support guitar events nationwide.
As part of the new “String Together” initiative, Alfred Music is providing free copies of guitar chord books for events at dozens of music retailers, setting new players off on their musical journeys.
D’Addario
The D’Addario family has been making strings for musical instruments since the 1680s. Moving to the United States from Italy over 100 years ago, they are now the world’s largest string maker, as well as a leading maker of woodwind reeds, mouthpieces, drumheads, and drumsticks.
In 2023, D’Addario continues to play a large role in Make Music Day, providing free guitar strings for the nationwide String Together initiative, taking place in 22 music stores across 14 states.
Harman
Harman has been a crucial supporter of Make Music Day for the last eight years, part of their unwavering commitment to music and music education.
In 2023, Harman is sponsoring the relaunched Make Music Detroit, presenting an interactive “Street Studio” with The Beatbox House at the JBL Soho store in New York, and getting their employees involved in Make Music Day in their offices around the word.
Hohner
Make Music partner Hohner has long been a leader in the harmonica field.
In 2023, for the eleventh straight year, Hohner is generously providing thousands of free harmonicas across dozens of cities for Make Music Day, allowing countless first-time players to start developing the skills to make music throughout the year.
Makey Makey
Makey Makey joins Make Music Day for the second time in 2023! Using this circuit board, plugged into a computer, performers of all levels will turn everyday objects into touchpads and use them to make music.
This year, Makey Makey will supply kits to a dozen Make Music Day chapters, and work with them to devise new, fun ways to incorporate this technology into collaborative music making and learning through play.
Music Performance Trust Fund
The nonprofit Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) provides admission-free, live, quality music, performed by professional musicians, to people of all ages and backgrounds across North America.
For the ninth year for Make Music Day, the MPTF is generously supporting innovative programs across dozens of cities in 2023. Each program gives established professionals the chance to mentor amateur and up-and-coming musicians, while providing a high-quality concert for the public.
NAMM Foundation
Founded in 2006, The NAMM Foundation is a partner organization of NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) that represents the generosity and philanthropy of the music products industry. In 2023, the NAMM Foundation is the presenting sponsor of Make Music Day in the U.S.
In addition to research projects that study and report on the impact of making music at every age, The NAMM Foundation also supports innovative music-making programs and advocacy efforts, as well as provides scholarships and training materials that keep music education strong in communities everywhere.
Panyard
For the third Make Music Day, Panyard will supply Jumbie Jams, an entry level steel pan designed to be easily playable by anyone, to eleven Make Music chapters.
The steel pans will be used in participatory events and “petting zoos” on June 21, introducing the instrument – an icon of Trinidadian culture – to a wider audience in cities from coast to coast.
Rhythm Band Instruments
Rhythm Band Instruments, makers of the pitched hollow plastic tubes called Boomwhackers®, are donating instrument kits around the country for participatory projects on Make Music Day and for Make Music Winter!
On December 21, 2022, RBI sent over 200 instruments ranging from bells to Boomwhackers to 8 cities for participatory winter music. And for June 21, 2023, RBI will help ring in the summer with over 1,100 instruments donated to 31 cities.
Thank you to Rhythm Band Instruments for supporting Make Music Day since 2016!
Sweetwater
Sweetwater Sound is renowned among musicians not only for great deals on music gear, but for being remarkably hands-on and personable in our increasingly anonymous digital era. Sweetwater knows the value of music in building a community.
That’s why Sweetwater has decided to play a major role in spreading Make Music across the country. Over the last nine years they have spread the word to hundreds of thousands of customers, while starting up local Make Music events locally in Fort Wayne IN. The Make Music Alliance thanks Sweetwater for supporting Make Music Day!
Vic Firth
The Vic Firth Company, setting the standard for percussion since its inception in 1963, is supporting two major Make Music events this year.
For the third year, percussionists who attend Flowerpot Music events across the country will be provided with Vic Firth’s Balter mallets, and invited to make music together. Anyone can join the events and make a great sound on a flowerpot – no experience required!
And Vic Firth is also providing drumsticks for dozens of bucket drumming events in plazas and parks around the country, open to kids and adults, professionals and amateurs, well-heeled and homeless. The goal is to spread the message that to make music, all you need is a beat in your heart… and a pair of sticks.