On June 21, the fourth annual Make Music Upper Perk brought out a great crowd to several different venues in Pennsburg and East Greenville to celebrate National Music Day.

            Make Music Upper Perk, co-sponsored by ValleyArtScene and Families Advancing Music Education, is part of an international celebration of music held every year on National Music Day; June 21.  It is celebrated in 108 countries.

            The event is all volunteer based on the love of music. 

            Over 200 amateur and professional musicians came from the Upper Perk Valley and surrounding areas to perform on National Music Day.  The performers ranged in ages from 5 to 80 and played a variety of music ranging from folk to jazz to rock in over 50 different sets.

            The event ran from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and was held at a variety of bustling venues including Java Good Day in East Greenville, The Upper Perk YMCA, Upper Perkiomen Community Thrift Shop in Pennsburg, Art on Main in East Greenville, The Upper Perkiomen Library and the Schwenkfelder Library.

            Java Good Day in East Greenville hosted many musicians and singers. Around lunch hour, Kaitlyn Waterson and David Matthew Brown provided several classical violin and vocal pieces, including Bach, Scarborough Fair and an Irish Blessing. Several young performers sang at the coffee shop as well. Margaret Friedman and Madison Frederick sang several musical theatre songs from Les Mis, Sound of Music, Phantom of the Opera and Into the Woods. Ode to Joy provided an Irish folk music atmosphere while Alyssa Dodge then changed it up with several pop and rock pieces.

            The Upper Perk YMCA was also a busy venue. The upbeat musicians provided an exciting atmosphere for the gym-goers. One performer, Evan Conrad, played a variety of metal rock pieces including Ace Of Spades by Motorhead, strumming out the chords over a recording of the song's vocals and drums.

            There were also several opportunities for the community to join in on making music. A Hymn sing was held at St. Mark's and two different Campfire Sing-Alongs were held at Pennsburg UCC Lawn and at New Goshenhoppen Park in East Greenville.

            Susan Royer, owner of Grace Notes Piano Studio, with several students performing in Make Music Upper Perk each year expressed her love for the program.  "We are so thrilled with the turnout. We were nervous about this year's date, it being a Tuesday but it really worked out. More and more people are realizing that this a great event. It's something the whole community can enjoy no matter who you are."

            Royer stated Make Music Upper Perk provides great opportunities for her students; providing them with experience performing in front of others and giving them a chance to display their skills.

            Volunteers are always needed for next year. There are a variety of job positions to volunteer for ranging from social media managers to street promoters, photographers and roadies. For more information, visit Make Music Upper Perk's website at www. Valleyartscene.wordpress.com.