About Make Music Chicago

Euclid String Quartet performs at the Grand Finale

Make Music Chicago is a live, one-day music festival on the first day of summer that celebrates the ability of everyone to make music. People of all ages, music of all genres, and amateurs, professionals, and marquee artists will gather throughout the day in Chicago’s public spaces to engage in spontaneous music making.  In its inaugural year in 2011 over 10,000 people experienced live music at 35 sites all over the city; in 2012 its “spontaneous musical combustion” will spread across the city to over 75 sites on June 21.

Megitza Quartet on the plaza of St. James Cathedral

Selected 2012 Performance sites include Daley Plaza, Millennium Park, the North Michigan Avenue and Lincoln Park Apple stores, Macy’s State Street, John Hancock Center, the Lincoln Park Zoo, and over 30 Chicago Park District sites. The festival is completely FREE for musicians and audience alike. Make Music Chicago is inspired by France’s “Fête de la Musique,” a national musical holiday marking its 30th anniversary this year. Since 1982, “Fête de la Musique” has become an international phenomenon, taking place on June 21 in more than 460 cities in 110 countries, including Germany, Italy, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Australia, Vietnam, Congo, Cameroon, Fiji, Colombia, Chile, Nepal, and Japan.

Davis Square Park Community Band at Museum Campus

Rush Hour Concerts, under the direction of Creative Director Deborah Sobol, is pleased to present Make Music Chicago in 2012, with lead sponsor Comcast and supporting sponsor Tishman Speyer, in partnership with 98.7 WFMT, Alliance Française de Chicago, the Consulate General of France in Chicago, Chicago Sister Cities International, Concierge Unlimited International, Entertainment Company, the Chicago Park District, and St. James Cathedral as a part of this global celebration with Make Music New York, Make Music Los Angeles, and Make Music D.C.