Make Music
Southeastern CT

About

What is Make Music Southeastern CT?

Make Music Southeastern CT 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 1,000 communities around the world.

What happens on Make Music Day in Southeastern CT?

Make Music Day in Southeastern CT features musicians of all abilities and music from any genre. Everyone is invited to participate in offering live performances (in accordance with state and local guidelines) during this international day of music by performing, providing an outdoor space, appreciating, or volunteering. All Ages | Free.

All are welcome to participate- no experience necessary! Join a diverse community of musicians and help fill every town and city in Southeastern CT with music.

Who coordinates Make Music Day in Southeastern CT?

The Cultural Coalition is the designated Make Music Day chapter in Southeastern CT. Now in its 7th year, this project is part of our mission to improve the economy, vitality and quality of life in Southeastern Connecticut by supporting the arts, cultural and creative community. Find out more about participating, then register with us!

Make Music Day Southeastern CT is being administered in partnership with the Make Music Alliance and New London Music Festivals, with support from the Department of Economic & Community Development, CT Office of the Arts.

How did Make Music Day get started?

Make Music Day Southeastern CT is modeled after a Parisian tradition (Fête de la Musique) that began in 1982 as a tribute to the Summer Solstice.  More specifically, each June 21st Paris is filled with musicians of all kinds performing on sidewalks, lawns, balconies, in parks, etc. for anyone to enjoy at no cost.  In 2007, Fête de la Musique crossed the Atlantic with the debut of Make Music New York.  Ever since, cities around the world have been starting their own Make Music days. In the U.S,, Make Music Day is presented by the NAMM Foundation and coordinated by the non-profit Make Music Alliance.

Check out more about participating in Make Music Day Southeastern CT.

Participate

Make Music Day Southeastern CT is Friday, June 21, 2024!

Make Music Day Southeastern CT is returning on June 21, 2024, for our region’s 7th annual celebration. We expect numerous venues across the region to offer an exciting schedule of live public performances and music-making.

We invite you to join in one of the many Make Music Day initiatives that will take place this year in Southeastern CT. You can also curate and share your own free performance.

2024 Kick-off Celebration & Info Session – on Zoom

Wednesday, April 17 from 6:30-7:00pm
Register to attend and receive Zoom link HERE

Musicians & Host Locations – How Can You Participate?

All Make Music Southeastern CT performances must be free to attend and family-friendly.

Anyone interested in celebrating Make Music Day by performing or hosting a performance(s) should register with us. Registered performances appear on the online Make Music Day Southeastern CT schedule and will be promoted on social media, our website, and via email.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER (opens early April)
For musicians, groups, venues/performance hosts

Note: Users who registered with us in 2023 will be able to revise/update your profile from last year.

Featured National Projects 2024

Musicians may also participate in National Projects coordinated by the Make Music Alliance.

These include:

  • Flowerpot Music
  • #MySongIsYourSong
  • Sousapalooza
  • Stridulations
  • Mass Appeal

Information about how to participate is available at www.makemusicday.org

Support

Make Music Southeastern CT is a program of the Cultural Coalition, a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the economy, vitality and quality of life in Eastern Connecticut by supporting the arts, cultural and creative community. Help us make events like Make Music Southeastern CT possible! Click here to make a tax deductible donation!

2024 Make Music Day Southeastern CT Sponsors:


support from Department of Economic & Community Development, Office of the Arts

Interested in being a sponsor of Make Music Southeastern CT, contact Deb Mathiasen at 860-460-5236

Press

Old Lyme comes alive with music
The Day, June 21, 2023 – By Rick Koster, Day Staff Writer

Make Music in New London
The Day, June 21, 2023 – By Sarah Gordon, Staff Photographer

Make Music Day serenades southeastern Connecticut
The Day, June 22, 2022 – By Dana Jensen, Staff Photographer

Make Music Day heralds the return of live music in New London
The Day, (video) June 22, 2021 – By Peter Huoppi and Rick Koster Day staff writers

‘Music is the key to happiness’: Make Music Day brings joy back to Norwich
The Bulletin, June 22, 2021 – By Matt Grahn

Hundreds Celebrate Summer Solstice With Stroll Down Lyme St. Enjoying ‘Make Music Day’
LymeLine.com – June 24, 2021 by Olwen Logan

Region celebrates Make Music Day
The Day, June 21, 2021 – By Sarah Gordon Day staff writer

Sunday’s Make Music Day events go virtual and live
The Day, June 19, 2020

Celebrate Make Music Day online with performances from local musicians
WTNH News

SE Connecticut hosts live tunes aplenty on second Make Music Day
By Rick Koster, Publication: The Day, June 21, 2019

Singin’ in the rain- Damp weather couldn’t derail Make Music Day in New London
By Rick Koster, Publication: The Day, June 21, 2019

Make Music Day to ring in summer with hundreds of live free concerts in Connecticut
By Chip McCabe, Publication: Hartford Courant, June 17, 2019

Make Music Day Photo Gallery 2019

Make Music Day 2018, The Day,  Video by Rick Koster and Peter Huoppi

There were 40 different acts performing around downtown New London on Thursday, and we set out to see all of them. The performances were part of Make Music Day, a free, worldwide celebration of music that takes place in more than 800 cities in 120 countries.

Musicians, venues across the region to take part in Thursday’s Make Music Day 
By Rick Koster, Publication: The Day, June 17, 2018

June 21 is Make Music Day around the world — and now in our region
By Kristina Dorsey, Publication: The Day, April 27, 2018

Contact

Make Music Day info and questions: 
Deb Mathiasen, Assistant Director at d.mathiasen@culturesect.org
Kia Baird, Outreach & Community Impact Coordinator at k.baird@culturesect.org

For help with registration, creating a profile and using the “match-making” website, please contact Make Music Day Registration & Schedule Coordinator, Elisa Haveles at e.haveles@culturesect.org

For New London venues and musicians, please contact Make Music Day New London coordinator, Rich Martin of New London Music Festivals/The Telegraph, at kosimar@gmail.com

Confirmed Performances

2024 Listings – Coming in April!