REPORT TO CULTURAL COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Potential Action to Make a Recommendation to City Council to Join the Make Music Alliance to Promote "Make Music Day" in Santa Clara
Report
BACKGROUND
In 1982, the French Ministry of Culture conceived the idea for a new kind of musical holiday. They envisioned a day where free music would fill the city and be accessible to everyone. Unlike a traditional music festival, anyone would be invited to join and play music or host performances. The event, held annually on June 21, the summer solstice, was named "Fete de la Musique," which in French means both "Festival of Music" and "Make Music." Four decades later, the holiday has grown into a global movement, now celebrated in more than 2,000 cities worldwide. On June 21, 2025, 147 U.S. cities participated, organizing 5,471 free concerts as part of this international event.
Each Make Music chapter is independently organized, often by a local community group, music institution, or civic leader. Musicians and venues participate by registering through their local city's website using customized matchmaking software provided by the Make Music Alliance. Through this platform, musicians can sign up, describe their music, and request performance space. Stores, buildings, gardens, and other locations can register to host musicians, offering space, electricity, equipment, and promotion. Musicians and venues can then browse the listings to connect and schedule performances for June 21. The software creates an interactive map with searchable listings and dynamically generated digital marketing materials for each participating city.
By joining the Make Music Alliance, a city receives the tools necessary to launch and manage a successful event, including a complete software platform and website, branding and marketing materials, consultant support, and access to nationally sponsored creative initiatives.
The City of San Jose has hosted "Make Music San Jose" for many ...
Click here for full text