Make Music Day 2024 Recap!
Dobet Gnahoré from West Africa, performing at Chandler Center for the Arts with support from the New England States Touring program of New England Foundation for the Arts and made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies. Photo by Matthew Gustafson http://www.gustophotos.com
Make Music Vermont once again filled Vermont towns with music on June 21st. This is the tenth year that Big Heavy World has coordinated the celebration, part of World Music Day which takes place every year on the summer solstice in more than a dozencountries all over the world. Originating in France, World Music Day celebrates how music brings people together from all nations, races and faiths, ages and genders. Make Music Vermont reminds us how musical artists bring us together to strengthen our communities and the economies of every participating town, small and large.
Ali T at Wee Bird Bagel Cafe. Photo by Bailey Masi Wood, vermontproductphotography.com
This year 36 performances occurred with over fifty performers participating, joining a map of 5,000 music events across America. Performances ranged from samba bands, rock bands, a capella chorus, folk and blues groups and solo performers on front porches and yards, and in town squares, concert halls, parks, living rooms, barber shops, pizza parlors and clubs throughout Vermont. We estimated that over 600 people enjoyed Make Music Vermont in 2024.
Sambatucada at Make Music Vermont. Photo by Olivia Acostamadiedo.
This was the Town of Randolph’s fifth year of hosting live music during Make Music Vermont. The calendar of events there featured over a dozen artists and was kicked-off by the ringing of the bells of Bethany Church. We send special thanks to The Herald for their coverage, https://www.ourherald.com/articles/randolphs-day-of-music/ and to Vincent Freeman of The Underground, Chandler Center for the Arts, and White River Craft Center for leading the celebration there.
Vermont was the first entire state to participate in the international Make Music Day (or World Music Day) festival, with Big Heavy World creating the opportunity in collaboration with the national Make Music Alliance, based in New York City. With support from sponsors of the national effort including the NAMM Foundation, Hohner, The Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation, Sweetwater, Harman, Elixir Strings, Vic Firth, and the Music Performance Trust Fund, instruments like drumsticks and harmonicas have been distributed in the state to help the public participate in events. Statewide partners like Vermont Public, the State Parks Department, Vermont Department of Libraries, Front Porch Forum, and more have made performances possible or helped spread the word to artists in every community. Local sponsors like The Underground Listening Room, Vermont Glove, White River Craft Center, Polestar Cannabis, Chandler Center for the Arts, and the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation brought festive energy to our communities. Make Music Vermont, held every year on June 21 (the summer solstice) will fall on a Saturday in 2025, making the next event the farthest-reaching ever!