Make Music Day is the UK’s largest single-day music festival, encouraging musicians, producers, promoters and music lovers to collaborate and organise in-person and online performances in and for their communities.
Since beginning as Fête de la Musique in France in 1982, Make Music Day has grown into a global phenomenon that takes place annually in 125 countries, always on 21 June. Solo performers, groups and music creators of all types are invited to take part, regardless of age, ability or musical genre.
Chivenor Primary is one of a record number of schools taking part in Make Music Day this year.
Performing Arts Lead Katy Clarke is putting together their Make Music Day event this year. “We’re really going to make a day of it”, she says. “Every year group will be doing something – singing, dancing, playing instruments… it’s up to them to decide how best to express themselves. And then the whole school will come together and sing ‘Thank You for the Music’.”
Chivenor is surrounded on all sides by the Castle Vale estate, and the school as a whole really understands that building relationships with the community is important. Katy explains, “Make Music Day is fantastic for us. We’ve taken part before and had to stop because of the pandemic, but we’re definitely back now. We’re able to involve everyone, at every level, and give everyone a chance. We’ve got brilliantly talented kids here, and it’s great that they can have this opportunity to showcase their talents. And being so close to the community means that people can’t help but see and hear what we’re up to – people will just stop and listen. We’re all very excited to be taking part.”
