The third annual Make Music Troy, a wonderful mix of free, public musical events, will make its return on Saturday, 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.
Any business or musician, amateur or professional, young or old, is invited to take part! Make Music Day Interest Form
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.
MAKE MUSIC DAY EVENTS CITY-WIDE, ALL DAY
Activities:
Sousapalooza: A Community Reading of the Music of John Philip Sousa
Part of Make Music Troy 2025
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Summer Square Stage, Second Street, Downtown Troy
Join us for Sousapalooza, a joyful, participatory concert featuring the patriotic marches of John Philip Sousa. This open-air 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: Dr. Peter Bellino
We are proud to welcome Dr. Peter Bellino, a versatile trumpeter, conductor, and Bach Performing Artist, as our Sousapalooza conductor. Dr. Bellino is the longtime director of the Empire State Youth Orchestra Jazz Ensemble, where he works with many of the region’s top young musicians. He is also on faculty at Union College and has performed with ensembles including the Albany Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and Empire Jazz Orchestra, with appearances across the U.S., Japan, and India.
How Can You Participate?
Sousapalooza is open to community musicians of all kinds, especially:
Adult community band musicians
High school and college music students
Alumni of local school ensembles
Music educators
Amateur and retired players
What You’ll Need:
Your instrument
A music stand (if available)
Water, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes (event is outdoors)
No rehearsal required — just show up ready to play!
Spectators are also encouraged to attend and enjoy this unique community performance. Sousapalooza is presented by Troy Savings Bank Music Hall as part of Make Music Troy, a free citywide music festival on the summer solstice.
To sign up please fill out the following form. Sheet music will be made available after you sign up! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSciJy3_kyi6W1rpWij09YM2HaTccPY5ZUKhN0pNUfoje605zQ/viewform
Thanks to our partners:
Troy Waterfront Farmers Market and our broadcasting partners WEXT
