Make Music Day, a free music festival, will take place in cities around the world on June 21, with Auburn celebrating Make Music Day Alabama on June 20.
Unlike typical music festivals, Make Music Day is open to anyone who wants to take part in creating music. Musicians of all backgrounds and skill levels are encouraged to participate in and support music.
Auburn’s Make Music Day celebration is organized by Spicer’s Music and will take place at the Gay Street Municipal parking lot at 6 p.m.
Make Music Day Alabama was held in Auburn for the first time last year, when Tim Spicer, owner of Spicer's Music, hoped to bring community members together to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest band, a title held by China with 953 musicians and almost reached by Auburn with 850 musicians. Spicer is said he is confident they will break the record this year.
“We’re excited to announce that this year’s song will be Sister Hazel’s ‘All for You’,” Spicer said. “Even better news, Sister Hazel’s Ken Block and Drew Copeland are coming to perform with us.”
All Auburn community members are invited to attend and participate regardless of their level of skill. Registration is free and can be done at www.spicersmusic.com/news.
The next day, Huntsville, Alabama, will have its own Make Music Day celebration and events lined up.
“One of the great inspirations of the Make Music Huntsville organizers is the desire to enhance music creativity throughout the community,” said Pam Jordan, chairwoman of Make Music Huntsville. “Because Make Music Day happens on the summer solstice, the longest day, remarkable musical opportunities exist literally in the streets whereby musicians that might not normally play together may by chance find themselves making music at the same venue. The events entertain the community as it strengthens the network that supports our music community.”
There are over 50 cities listed as participants on the Make Music Day official site, and Jordan expects this year’s attendance to be in the several thousands.
Musical activities and performances will take numerous forms like Ella Fitzgerald karaoke, ukulele lessons, bucket drumming instruction and competition, a kid’s only band led by Dr. Curley and the Rocket City Clown Alley and a performance by the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band.
“We're covering in our programming everything from instruction, jam sessions to mass appeals and patriotic performances,” Jordan said. “Some venues are opening their doors and welcoming artists to come creatively so none of us know what will come out of those music experiences and that's very exciting. We expect a star will be made here June 21.”
Because this is the first year that Make Music Day is being celebrated in Huntsville, there is no specific theme or precedent set, but Jordan believes the Huntsville community will embrace the new music festival.
“There is immense talent here in Huntsville. Huntsville's entertainment district is growing quickly which means new faces are seeing our city with fresh eyes,” Jordan said. “We've explained Make Music Huntsville to many, and we know for some it's going to take them actually experiencing make music day to come full circle with the best understanding of what Make Music Huntsville is and how they can become involved.”
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
