All invited to celebrate Make Music Day June 21

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown residents and visitors are invited to Make Music Day and the summer solstice June 21 as part of a worldwide, free celebration of the art form by local artists.

Launched in 1982 in France as the Fête de la Musique, the event is held on the same day in more than 1,000 cities in 120 countries, according to a press release.

Each June 21, Paris is filled with musicians of all kinds performing for anyone to enjoy at no cost. In 2007, Fête de la Musique crossed the Atlantic with the debut of Make Music New York. Ever since, cities around the world have been starting their own Make Music days, the statement said.

Completely different from a typical music festival, Make Music is open to anyone who wants to take part, the news release said. “Every kind of musician — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — pours onto streets, parks, plazas, and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors and strangers.”

Make Music Middletown is coordinated by the Middletown Arts & Culture Office/Middletown Commission on the Arts in collaboration with Middlesex Music Academy, downtown and citywide businesses, organizations, community members and arts stakeholders. The mission is to contribute to the cultural identity, economy and quality of life of Middletown supporting arts, heritage, cultural and business activities and organizations.

Registration is now open. Musicians can register, create profiles and find a match for their Make Music Middletown performance by visiting makemusicday.org. For assistance, email arts@middletownct.gov or lessons@ middlesex-musicacademy.com.

Contributed photo Make Music Middletown is a part of the international movement that brings free, community-wide, outdoor musical celebrations to hundreds of cities worldwide June 21.