For several years, Noteworthy Philadelphia has proudly participated in Make Music Day (MMD), a worldwide celebration that brings musicians and communities together for a day of free performances and workshops. Originating in France as Fête de la Musique and now celebrated in over 2,000 cities across the globe, MMD takes place annually on the summer solstice, June 21, offering us an incredible opportunity to engage with the Greater Philadelphia community through a cappella music.
A Cappella Crash Course: Community Engagement Through Music
One of our most memorable contributions to Make Music Day was the A Cappella Crash Course, an interactive workshop where singers of all backgrounds and abilities joined us to learn and perform two energetic arrangements—"Celebration" by Kool and the Gang and "Can't Stop the Feeling!" by Justin Timberlake. Arranged by a former Noteworthy member, these pieces were taught using online resources, including teaching videos, sheet music, and part-specific audio files.
A true highlight of this initiative was the participation of Under A Rest, a co-ed collegiate a cappella group from West Chester University, who joined us for our MMD workshop and collaborated on our MMD Music Video of Celebration by Kool & The Gang. You can check out that video below.
Performing at Iconic Philadelphia Venues
Make Music Day has also allowed us to perform at some of Philadelphia’s most well-known venues.
Hard Rock Café Philadelphia – A legendary venue in the heart of Center City, where we delivered an electrifying a cappella set. We’d love to return and perform again at this iconic space!
The Free Library of Philadelphia – A fantastic family-friendly performance location where we engaged audiences of all ages in Shakespeare Park.
Other Local Spots – From neighborhood parks to unexpected performance locations, we've had the pleasure of sharing our music with a variety of audiences across the city.
What We’ve Learned and How We've Grown
Participating in Make Music Day has been an invaluable experience for Noteworthy Philadelphia. From collaborating with fellow musicians and a cappella groups to learning how to adapt to last-minute venue and equipment changes, MMD has helped us strengthen our community ties and refine our ability to engage diverse audiences.
Although we did not participate in MMD last year, choosing instead to host A Cappella Music Mornings, the impact of past Make Music Days continues to inspire our group. We've gained new friends, deepened our connections with Philadelphia’s vibrant music scene, and expanded our vision for what community-based music can be.
Should Noteworthy Return to Make Music Day?
We’ve loved every moment of our Make Music Day experiences, from performing at Hard Rock Café to welcoming new voices in our A Cappella Crash Course. But now, we want to hear from you! Should Noteworthy Philadelphia return to Make Music Day? Would you be interested in joining us for another a cappella workshop or performance?
And while we’ve yet to participate in Make Music Day Winter, which takes place annually on the winter solstice, it could be an exciting opportunity for us to explore in the future! Let us know your thoughts—we’d love to hear your feedback as we consider future opportunities to bring music to the city!