Mission

To Join in the annual Celebration of Music Making World Wide. Join Us! Connecting all Pittsburgh community members, regardless of age, musical experience, or ability, to make and enjoy music every summer solstice, while also encouraging further participation in music-making.

Vision

A city where all music is celebrated. Where any and all community members are enabled to make music and feel connected and supported in their musical engagement. A day where music is FREE to all and All Music Maker are Making Music Voluntarily to Celebrate the Global Day of Making Music1

Make Music Day Pittsburgh

Make Music Day is designed to help with music exploration and to showcase local musical talent and inspire others to play music. Performers of all ages, levels, and styles of music are welcome.

This is the global celebration of music held annually on the summer solstice, announced that this year’s vast program will observe the festival’s over 40 years running and feature a full return to in-person events, with more than 5,000 live, free music-making events held nationwide on, June 21.

Strategic Goals 2020-2026

Encourage and Make Music. This is the Time to CELEBRATE!

1. Encourage all Pittsburgh community members to make music
2. Encourage community members to continue to make music beyond Make Music Day
3. Increase the number of neighborhoods involved in MMDPGH

Connect

1. Connect community music makers to the resources available in their neighborhoods
2. Foster an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages all community members to make music

About Make Music Day

Originally started in France in 1982, Pittsburgh will be one of over 1,000 cities playing music on June 21, 2026, as part of a global Make Music Day celebration.  Whether it’s Hip-Hop in Lawrenceville, Gospel in Highland Park, Bluegrass in Squirrel Hill, Classical in the Hill District, or kids rocking out on buckets at The Children’s Museum, Make Music Pittsburgh is about enjoying music in its purest form with Pittsburgh flare.

contact us at pittsburgh@makemusicday.org

Make Music Pittsburgh June 21st 2026.

Registration is Open for Make Music Day in Pittsburgh!

We are always available to help, just email us!

Make Music Pittsburgh will fill the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh celebrating music. We are eager to bring musicians and music lovers together to celebrate music on the Global Day of Making Music around the world. To register as a performer or as a venue, please create a profile *** here*** or email pittsburgh@makemusicday.org.

Are you Looking to Host a Space for Music Makers or Bring an Event to Your Space! Send us an email!

We are also teaming up with several community spaces to introduce music education events as well as an instrument petting zoo. More details on our Map as well as postings on our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/makemusicpittsburgh/

Make Music Pittsburgh 2026 June 21st, is right around the corner!

Registration Information

Registration is Open!

If you need help with equipment (PAs, microphones, etc.) please contact Make Music Pittsburgh’s staff via email at pittsburgh@makemusicday.org we are happy to help you find the tools you need!

FREE LEARN HOW TO Events!

Free events to improve your guitar playing – no strings attached!

One of the best and easiest ways to improve the sound of your guitar is putting on a fresh set of strings.

Come to any participating String Together store on Make Music Day, June 20th, and attend a free string-changing session that comes with a free set of acoustic guitar strings from Elixir Strings (for the first 12 registrants at each store). All are welcome, from complete newbies who have never changed their strings, to more experienced players looking for a few tips from a pro guitar tech. Both of our local music store Brighton Music Center’s in Pittsburgh and New Brighton are hosting these events. Click Link Below to register.

booking link for both Location on June 20th Saturday ONLY!

North Hills – June 20th Saturday https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ0m1KLCbyGkQo2qiBH6oyORyMnwzYIRC37_4PrmSx1LSoVNpM291TSAydsQV-q91UjVMz6TcZ50

New Brighton – June 20th Saturday https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ0hnyGjZTgJHQE790CpsRAmzz8f8GC527ldVEjwLp_NlblIy7RmdAkLWktBrfHVhG_mz845ewVU

Find your nearest participating music store below, and RSVP to reserve your spot on June 21!

Use #StringTogether2026 and show us your fresh strings!

Participate In Educational Music Events! Free!

U Can Uke Event Stage 1011 June 20th Brighton Music Center New Brighton / Stage 1011 Brighton Music Center New Brighton PA 5:30-6:30pm– FREE EVENT!

This series of Group Lessons is a continuation of the “You Can Uke!” Workshop. The classes will dive deeper into chord fingerings, how to read chord diagrams and chord progressions. Some music theory will be addressed with regards to chord progressions and understanding their relationship to songs and song writing. There will also introduce Tablature which is one of two forms to read ukulele music. The group will be able to play accompaniments to pop songs as well as duets, and trios of various kinds of music. Lead by Mrs. Sue Metelsky. Please register for this in advance.

Register at the link below or on the event listing

https://brightonmusiccenter.opus1.io/w/ukulele101

Local Support Sponsors

Thanks to the support of our local business and partners! We could not do it without you! Welcome to our newest support Greenhouse Co-Op Cider and Plant!

Brighton Music Center

Farina Foundation

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Unisound Pittsburgh 

The Frick Pittsburgh

West View Hub and Hub Works

Greenhouse Co-Op

Ruckus Coffee Gallery

The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

All Together Better

Inner Groove Brewing

Church Brew Works

Table Talk Linen

Cousins Lounge Millvale PA

The Hula Bar

Volunteer and Donate

Music Ambassador Volunteer Program

A  Music Ambassadors can be a high school or college student who is involved in any school music program that would like to help represent our community. This can be done by volunteering their time with Make Music Day  Pittsburgh.This opportunity includes being part of special events virtually or at various locations around the area.  Connect with  local musicians to represent the best and brightest within the local music community. This person also identifies opportunities with area schools and other musicians. This is an amazing opportunity to get involved with the Pittsburgh Music Community and meet other like minded students and network.

This volunteer opportunity allows for help with hours needed for community service or for college majors and degrees that need to be completed with credits or graduation.  Complete this form/link to sent a request. Google Form

Donate

All concerts are free and open to the public. That being said, your donations help make it possible.

If you would like to donate to Make Music Day Pittsburgh, please contact us.

Volunteer

Having people join our team increases the chances for further success for Make Music Day.

Complete this form/link to sent a request. Google Form

If you would like to  donate, become a Music Ambassador or Volunteer on Make Music Day, please contact us at pittsburgh@makemusicday.org  

Support Our Community

Shop at our new merchandise shop on Spreadshop.com. Help support a great day and bring more music to the kids and communities in our area!

https://make-music-day-pittsburgh.myspreadshop.com

Make Music Day Virtual Food Drive

In order to continue to support our neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity during these difficult times, we are hosting a virtual food drive! For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide up to 5 meals for the children, families and seniors they serve across Southwestern PA. Thank you for your continued support!

Give Today!!!

Join the global song swap for Make Music Day!

Learn a song by another artist and hear yours covered in return. Songwriters, composers and bands of all styles and walks of life are invited to participate!

Partners will be introduced by June 5th, carefully matched. This year, we’ll focus on far-flung pairings to connect you to musicians in new places. You’ll make their song your own, share a video of it on Instagram or YouTube June 21st, and use #MySongIsYourSong to join in the celebration!

We are also excited to announce special prizes for two lucky #MySongIsYourSong participants: They will receive prizes from Focusrite/Novation and Flight Ukulele. Also pair of songwriters will be selected at random to receive these prize bundles. To enter to win, just:

• Register using the form, below
• Receive your pairing with another songwriter
• Record your cover of their song
• Post it on Instagram or YouTube, and
• Send the link to catherine@makemusicday.org by midnight (New York time) on June 21, 2024.

Registration has closed at this time! But follow all of the great artist that participated

Listen Here!

Join the conversation following #MySongIsYourSong on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

• #MySongIsYourSong: 2022 Archive
• #MySongIsYourSong: 2021 Archive

We are excited to have the monument lighting again in Pittsburgh. Check out the city Skyline to see the buildings light up ORANGE in support of Make Music Globally!

Special thanks to The Koppers Building, Federated and also the Gulf Tower from 2023.

2020:

• Pittsburgh Post Gazette: What’s Happening in Pittsburgh
• Next Pittsburgh: 14 Things To Do This Weekend by Jenifer Baron

2019:

• Vox Culture : The Global Midsummer Musical Bash by Alissa Wilkinson
• Kidsburgh: Wanna Play On Your Drum All Day by Kristy Locklin
• Slippery Rock University: SRU Music Facultry and Students Team Together to Compose Youth Experience by Megan Bush

2017:

• KDKA: On Air Coverage Make Music Day 2017

2016:

• Local Pittsburgh: Make Music Festival Brings PGH Musicians Out of Woodwork by Julianna Bagwell
• Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Picks Up the Beat of Global Make Music Day by Rex Rutkoski

2015:

• Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Let the Music Play all day Sunday by Amy Brooks:
• Tribune Review: Outdoor Concerts to fill Pittsburgh with Music on Make Music Day by Rex Rutkoski
• Pittsburgh City Paper: This Sunday, the international Make Music festival comes to Pittsburgh by Margaret Welsh
• Pittsburgh Post Gazette:  Make Music Pittsburgh – Call for Artists and Venues by Elizabeth Bloom
• 3-minute video of various concerts from 2015: edited by Tom Weber

*If you are interested in writing about Make Music Pittsburgh, please contact us at pittsburgh@makemusicday.org – and thank you!*

These are some of our favorites from the last couple of years.

Make Music Day Pittsburgh has a rockin’ team! Thanks to these amazing people the events gets bigger every year. Interested in joining? Contact us at pittsburgh@makemusicday.org  or fill out our Google Form

Advisory Committee

Brad Wittmer -President/Director

Music Ambassador

Bob Gally (Media Manager)

Beth Schiemer (New Brighton PA)

Brandon Satz (Verona, PA)

Music Helper Volunteer

Cody Wittmer

Veronica Wittmer

James Polen

Nick Druga

Past Advisory Committee

Emily Bovan

André Solomon (Co-Director)

Michaela Kizershot White (Co-Director)

Mark Despotakis

Kateyln Clement

Aubrey Carpenter

Monica E. Soderman

Zoe Sorrell

Sondra E. Woodruff II

Past Volunteers

Jiashun Fang

Tom White

Sarah Schreck

Rachel Kingham

Kara Kulinski

Founder

Jasmine Kurjakovic