The fourth annual Make Music Troy, a wonderful mix of free, public musical events, will make its return on Sunday, June 21. Make Music Troy is part of Make Music Day, a global music celebration that takes place on the summer solstice each year and brings people of all ages and skill levels together to make music. This year, over 100 U.S. cities will host thousands of Make Music performances across the country as part of the world’s largest annual music event.
Make Music Day began in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique, and has spread to over 1,000 cities across 120 countries. Completely different from a typical musical festival, Make Music concerts are performed by anyone who wants to take part and enjoyed by everyone who wants to attend. From classical to folk, hip hop to opera, Latin jazz to punk rock, live music of all kinds resounds on streets, sidewalks, porches, plazas, parks, gardens, store fronts and other public spaces on the longest day of the year.
Any business or musician, amateur or professional, young or old, is invited to take part! Make Music Day Interest Form
FREE to attend!
MAKE MUSIC DAY EVENTS AT CAPITAL REGION MUSIC HUB (first floor of Troy Savings Bank Music Hall)
Activities:
12:00 PM–3:00p | Live DJ Set feat. JB aka. Dirty Moses
12:00p | Live DJ Set ( in Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Courtyard)
1:00p | Interactive DJ Workshop–join in the music making. Learn how to DJ and make music together. (Appropriate for students ages 10–15)
2:00p | Live DJ Set ( in Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Courtyard)
12:00 PM–3:00p | Instrument Petting Zoo sponsored by John Keal Music
Join us for a fun, hands-on Instrument Petting Zoo for all ages and families as part of Make Music Day. Thanks to generous support from John Keal Music, instruments will be provided for everyone to explore—no experience needed. Try your hand at strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, piano, guitar, and more, with guidance from friendly teaching artists.
Discover new sounds, experiment with different instruments, and spark your curiosity—this is the perfect opportunity to explore music in an open, welcoming environment. Drop in, try something new, and make some noise with us.
12:00 PM | Diver Library Presents | Youth Music Performances
12:00 PM | Community Drum Circle with Jordan Taylor Hill
Join musician and teaching artist Jordan Taylor Hill for an energizing and inclusive drum circle in downtown Troy. This interactive session invites people of all ages and experience levels to explore traditional West African rhythms through hands-on drumming.
Djembe and other percussion instruments will be provided! Bring your curiosity and sense of rhythm. Whether you're an experienced drummer or a first-timer, you're welcome to participate, listen, or dance along. All ages welcome!
1:00 PM | Suzuki Community Strings Workshop
Join us for a joyful, collaborative performance. This group jam will feel like a large group class, and all string players are welcome to participate—whether you’re playing the full set list or just a few pieces. We'll share music, improvise, harmonize, and listen together.
2:00 PM | Sing, Dance, & Play Along with Ms. Deb
Bring the whole family and join local songwriter, storyteller, and folk musician Deb Cavanaugh while we explore American Folk Music with the mountain dulcimer and limberjack. Sing, dance and play along with percussion instruments and see an ancient folk art–the crankie which illustrates the music you hear.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Sousapalooza: A Community Reading of the Music of John Philip Sousa
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall | 32 Second Street, Troy, NY
Join us for Sousapalooza, a joyful, participatory concert featuring the patriotic marches of John Philip Sousa. This performance invites brass, woodwind, and percussion players of all ages and experience levels to come together and bring Sousa’s iconic music to life in downtown Troy.
Selections will include but are not limited to:
- The Stars and Stripes Forever
- The Washington Post March
- Semper Fidelis
- Liberty Bell March
- Hands Across the Sea
Guest Conductor: John Fatuzzo
No rehearsal required — just show up ready to play!
SOUSAPALOOZA: SIGN UP HERE
MORE INFORMATION
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM | Troy Samba
Join Troy Samba as they bring the vibrant energy of Brazilian percussion to downtown Troy with a lively outdoor performance to celebrate Make Music Day!
This is more than a performance, it’s a community jam! Rhythm Band Instruments will be available for audience members to join in the music. No prior experience is needed, just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to make some joyful noise!
This program is sponsored by: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
Storefront Serenades!
Make Music Day will also spill into the streets with specialized storefront activations. Visitors can enjoy live music, interactive moments, and the special atmosphere while they shop and dine at the following participating downtown locations:
- Artcentric Marketplace 1-2pm Eric-Jon Tasker
- The Arts Center of the Capital Region 3-4pm Nick Kopp
- Annick Designs 2:45-3:45pm Tan & Gracie
- Maitri Yoga 12-3pm
- Oh Corn! Arepas 12-3pm
- Ryan's Wake 4-7pm Graham Tichy Trio
- Salon Troy 12-3 Collar City Cats
- Segel Violins 12-3pm Dulcimer Association of Albany
- T&J Soaps 4-5pm Legacy
- The Ruck 12-3pm
- Upstate of Mind Time TBA Gus Unplugged
