About
What is Make Music Day?
Make Music Day is an annual celebration that occurs each June 21, when people in more than 1,000 cities worldwide make music together on the summer solstice.
In York County, Pennsylvania, Make Music Day has been celebrated by Menchey Music for many years, and in 2022, Menchey teamed up with the York County Cultural Alliance to push this even out to reach more of the County. Now, Make Music Day is a large, collaborative celebration with a hub of activity in Downtown York, and additional events being hosted in libraries and other locations around town.
Join Make Music Day
Make Music Day brings joy, inspires creativity, and transforms communities. It celebrates and promotes the natural music maker in all of us, regardless of ability. We understand the variety of benefits that making music provides to our physical and mental well-being and an enriched sense of community!
Everyone is invited to participate in Make Music Day by hosting, participating in, & attending events.
Want to host an event? Sign up to host an event at your location | Want to Perform? Sign up to lead an event and we will match you with a location |
Join our Make Music Day Committee | Attend an event for free! Check out the 2024 Listings of Events |
Thank you to our 2024 presenting sponsor for supporting Make Music Day!
Participate
Want to lead or host an event for Make Music Day York County? Follow the steps below to register on the York County matchmaking site.
Interested in planning an event with support and promotion from MMD York County? Venues (restaurant, library, or other location) OR Performers can register using the steps below:
Step 1: On the York County matchmaking site, register as a venue/location looking to host musicians and events OR as a musician seeking to lead an event (or both!)
Step 2: Plan your event. Consider your budget if you have one (all MMD Events must be available free to the public), marketing, materials, and volunteers.
Step 3: Make Music! The Make Music Day, York County team will stay in touch in the time leading up to the event to make sure you have promotional materials and any support you need.
Resources
Learn how to use our Matchmaking Website
- Tutorial on setting up an account
- Tutorial on creating a PERFORMER profile
- Tutorial on creating a VENUE profile
- Creating an EVENT
Make Music Day promotional materials
Volunteer
Do love people, love York, love music, and would like to get involved with Make Music Day? We need volunteers to attend events, help kids with music-making, give directions, and more! Fill out our volunteer form to see where you can help!
Contact us for help whenever you need it!
Email: yorkcounty@makemusicday.org
Ideas for Make Music Day Events
As a Business or Organization:
- Invite musicians to meet up outside a local nursing home and play “window serenades” to those inside.
- Host a day of outdoor concerts/showcases/open mics for the lesson-taking students in your community.
- Host a workshop to make instruments from recycled or non-traditional materials
As a Musician:
- Host an outdoor drum circle.
- Host an outdoor jam session that day with friends
- Set up to busk in Downtown York
- Teach first-time musicians how to play the ukulele or harmonica, virtually or in person.
- Host an outdoor guitar strum–along for customers and community members.
Music retailers and suppliers around the country have found their own creative ways to make an impact with Make Music Day. Click here to hear their stories.
Who else is taking part?
Over 2 artists, including:
D.O.S. -- School of Rock York
Over 2 venues, including:
Gift Horse Brewing Co. -- Skid Row Garage
2024 MMD Events
Make Music Day 2024 is beginning to take shape!
For the first time, Make Music Day will extend into Make Music Night thanks to a partnership with the York Revolution Stadium!
*A portion of each ticket sold through this link will be donated back to the Cultural Alliance of York County.
Key Events for Make Music Day:
– Kazoo Parade to the Revolution Stadium
– Kazoo Giveaway for the first 1000 attendees at the Revolution Game
– Harmonica Lessons
– Drum Circles
– Programming at York County Libraries
– Music Themed Jersey Auction for Charity at WellSpan Park
– Programming with Weary Arts Group
– Open mic night and Karaoke
Listings
2024 Listings: Friday, June 21st
Support
Make Music Day York County is hosted by the Cultural Alliance of York County, and supported through sponsorships from partners who understand the benefit of bringing the community together through music.
Sponsorships are still available, all sponsorship requests should be directed toward Rita Whitney, Rita@culturalyork.org.
The Cultural Alliance of York County brings arts and culture to life through contributions by individuals and companies who recognize the vital role that the arts play in the lives of York County citizens.
You can support future Make Music Day efforts by contributing to the Cultural Alliance of York County at www.culturalyork.org/donate
Press
2023 Press Coverage for York County Make Music Day
- “Watch York County residents jam out in annual Make Music Day,” by Tina Locurto, York Dispatch, June 22, 2023
- “Make Music Day: Gretchen Dekker, Pianist,” Fox 43, June 21, 2023
- “Sights and sounds of York’s Make Music Day,” by Tina Locurto, York Dispatch, June 21, 2023
- “York’s Make Music Day unites musicians of all ages for single day of play,” by Tina Locurto, York Dispatch, June 21, 2023
- “Joyful Noise rings out in downtown York for Make Music Day,” by Cyera Williams, Fox 43, June 21, 2023
- “Make Music Day brings beautiful melody to York County,” CBS 21 News, June 21, 2023
- “York County Celebrates ‘Make Music Day’ with kazoo parade,” by Lara Bonatesta, WHTM Harrisburg, June 21, 2023
- “Artists turn pianos into masterpieces for World Music Day,” by Daniella Heminghaus, York Dispatch, June 16, 2023
- “Band previews ‘Make Music Day’ with free York concert,” by Madison Montag, ABC 27 News, June 13, 2023
- “Want to learn guitar or join a kazoo parade? York’s Make Music Day will make that possible,” by Tina Locurto, York Dispatch, June 12, 2023
Contact
Get in touch with us at yorkcounty@makemusicday.org
Make Music Day is organized in York County by the York County Cultural Alliance
Learn more about the Cultural Alliance at www.culturalyork.org