About
In the beginning….
In the early 1980s, Jack Lang and his staff at the Ministry of Culture in France decided that music should have its own national holiday. They imagined a day where free music would be everywhere, all around each city: street corners, parks, rooftops, gardens, and store fronts. This event would be set apart from typical festivals and welcome anyone and everyone to join in, no matter their skill set or social standing. In the end, Mr. Lang and his staff created Fête De La Musique (In French, the name means both “festival of music” and “make music”) which would occur on the summer solstice, June 21st.
Fast forward 40 years, and Fête De La Musique has turned into something greater than the creators could have imagined. The Fête has turned into a true national holiday: the country shuts down on the summer solstice and musicians take over. Almost 11% of French people (7 million people) have played an instrument or sung in public for the Fête de la Musique, and 64% of the country (43 million people) comes out each year to listen.
Today….
Now Make Music Day has spread world-wide and is now celebrated in more than 1,000 cities in 120 different countries. June 21st, 2024 will be the inaugural Make Music Day for Stanly County!
In the U.S., a record-setting 150+ communities are gearing up for Make Music Day, with new hot spots in New Jersey and Wisconsin (each with 4 new cities), Texas (with 9) and North Carolina (with 12). Cities like Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake, and Tallahassee are also launching, all joining over 2,000 Make Music cities around the world.
Participate
Click here for HOW TO Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@makemusicday/shorts
Make Music Day will consist of performances around the county. The Stanly County Arts Council is looking for both performers and venues willing to participate in this event. If you are a venue or a performer willing to participate please sign up using the provided links. Any spot can be a venue!
PERFORMERS:
- Musicians of all ages, skill levels, and styles. You can play one show or as many as you like.
VENUES
Hosting can be as simple as providing space on your porch or as complex as renting a stage and sound equipment. Hosts control the location, performance times, and list available equipment. Sites must:
- Be within Stanly County
- Be free and accessible to the public
- Maintain space on the sidewalk for pedestrians OR have an open area inside of the venue
MATCHMAKING SYSTEM
The Stanly County Arts Council will be facilitating the “matchmaking” of performers and venues.
The Matchmaking System connects venues and musicians. After creating an account , venues and musicians can browse each other’s profiles to request a booking. If you already have your event planned and do not need the matchmaking tool, list your event following the video guide linked above.
Apart from the live entertainment, Make Music Day is a county wide event happening on June 21st, 2024. With events in Downtown Albemarle and the Town Square of Locust, this event has something for everyone!
WORKSHOPS
- Intro to Rock Band: Participants will learn the inner workings of a rock band, what instruments are needed, how to set them up, and how to work together to create music. (Albemarle and Locust)
- Bucket Drum Workshop: Learn basic beats and different tones… on a bucket! (Albemarle and Locust)
- How to String Your Guitar: Learn how to string your acoustic/electric guitar and receive a free set of strings (while supplies last)! Registration required. (Albemarle Music Store and rBc Music Store, Locust) Click here to register
- Intro to Voice: Learn basic vocal technique, warmups, and exercises. Participants will also receive an overview on how to harmonize using simple melodies. (Albemarle)
- Ukulele Workshop: Learn about the ukulele, how to play three different chords, and one song by the end of the workshop. Ages 8+ (Albemarle)
- Harmonica Workshop: Learn the basics of the harmonica and how to blow and draw using the instrument, and get a free Hohner harmonica in the key of C! (Locust) While supplies last.
- Make Your Own Rhythm Instrument: The Stanly County Library staff will be present all day for you to drop in and make your own Rhythm Instruments, a fun craft that’s great for all ages! While supplies last. (Albemarle, Locust, Oakboro, Norwood)
- Instrument Petting Zoo: Come look at a wide range of instruments and try them out! (Albemarle and Locust)
- Learn about the Make Music Day: Join the History Center learn about the countries that participate in Make Music Day and the their instruments. (Albemarle)
- NC Music Hall of Fame Activities: Join the History Center staff and join in the fun activities from the NC Music Hall of Fame. (Albemarle)
- Kazoos – Making & Playing them: Join the Stanly County Chorale at the History Center to make your own kazoo and learn a song. Be sure to check out the Stanly County’s Arts Council’s History Exhibit – 50 Years of Cultivating Creativity. (Albemarle)
Workshops in downtown Albemarle:
| TIME | WORKSHOP | PRESENTING GROUP | LOCATION | DETAILS/LIMITS |
| 10:00 – 11:00 am and 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Kazoos – make your own & learn a song | Stanly County Chorale | Stanly County History Center | Learn how to make a kazoo plus how to play a song on it! |
| 11:00 am | Bucket Drumming | Music on Main Instructor – Kurt Varney | Courthouse Square | Learn basic beats and different tones… on a bucket! Limit: 15 Ages: 7+ |
| 1:00 pm | Ukulele | Music on Main Instructor – Heather Almond | Music On Main | Learn about the ukulele, how to play three different chords, and one song by the end of the workshop. Ukuleles will be provided. Limit: 15 Ages: 8+ |
| 2:00 pm | Voice | Music on Main Instructor – Angela Moore | Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre | Learn basic vocal technique, warmups, and exercises. Participants will also receive an overview on how to harmonize using simple melodies. Limit: 15 Ages 7+ |
| 2:30 pm | Mini Rock Band Intro | Music on Main Instructor – Tim Harris | Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre | Participants will learn the inner workings of a rock band, what instruments are needed, how to set them up, and how to work together to create music. Age requirement: 12+ |
| 3:00 pm | Ukulele | Music on Main Instructor – Heather Almond | Music on Main | Learn about the ukulele, how to play three different chords, and one song by the end of the workshop. Ukuleles will be provided.Limit: 15 Ages: 8+ |
| 5:00 pm | Intro to Rock Bands | Music on Main Instructor- Tim Harris | Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre | Participants will learn the inner workings of a rock band, what instruments are needed, how to set them up, and how to work together to create music. Age requirement: 12+ |
| 11:00am-12:00 pm 1:00pm -2:00 pm | Instrument Petting Zoo | Albemarle Music Store | Albemarle Music Store | Come look at a wide range of instruments during store hours (9:45 am- 5:00 pm) or attend the allotted demonstrations by The Stanly County Concert Band! |
| Click here to register! | Restring Your Guitar (Acoustic only) | Albemarle Music Store | Albemarle Music Store | Register Online. Free strings while supplies last. |
Workshops in Locust Town Center:
| TIME | WORKSHOP | PRESENTING GROUP | LOCATION | DETAILS/LIMITS |
| Click here to register! | Re-String your Guitar (Acoustic Only) | rBc Music Store | rBc Music Store | Register online. Free strings, while supplies last. |
| 10:00 am – 11:00 am | BeginnerGroup Acoustic Guitar Lesson | rBc Instructor: Steve Jones | Locust Town Center – Brick Courtyard next to Isla Cancun | Bring your own Acoustic Guitars. Bring your own chair. Ages 7+ |
| 11:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 -2:00 pm | Bucket Drums | Instructor: Tommy Shue | Town Center Back Lawn Stage | Limit: 15 students Ages: 7+ |
| 2-3:00 pm | Harmonica | rBc Instructor: Steve Jones | The Commons Gathering Room | Limit 15 First 15 receive a free harmonica Ages: 7+ |
| 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm | How to Build a Band | rBc Instructor: Steve Jones, Ronnie Black & Band | rBc Music StoreBack courtyard | Participants will learn the inner workings of a rock band, what instruments are needed, how to set them up, and how to work together to create music. Bring a lawn chair! |
Listings
2025 Listings: Sunday, December 21st
Support
Be a musician!
Be a venue!
Be an audience member!
Attend a workshop!
Or support the arts in Stanly County with a monetary donation to the Stanly County Arts Council: https://stanlycountyartscouncil.org/donate/
All gifts are tax deductible.
The Stanly County Arts Council is a 501 (c) (3) whose mission is to encourage & promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County.
Financial information and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919-814-5400. The license is not an endorsement by the state.
Contact
Get in touch with us at stanlycounty@makemusicday.org