TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Make Music Day is about bringing communities together through musical performances.
“Music is community, and there is something about the power of playing together, but also these people that are here to watch, they are participating in that process as well,” said Stephanie Johnson, from the Make Music Day Committee.
Whether it was classical music, covers or tributes, there was music for everybody.
To kick off this Make Music Day in Tyler, 64 different musicians from different schools and groups joined together to perform Sousapalooza, a tribute to famous musician John Philip Sousa.
The music was all played by a group that has never played together.
“That’s what we learn participating in music: community and listening to one another and collaborating,” said Sarah Roberts, the UT Tyler Performing Arts director.
“Knowing the people behind me who were from middle school, all the way up to my elderliness — just a lot of people playing music together, a wonderful experience,” said Judy Wilkins, a Make Music Day performer.
Not only did she have to learn how to play with others on the fly, Tina Beason has had to relearn how to play the instrument she loves most after suffering from a stroke in November.
“I did some grieving, thinking that I may never get to play again, but then it started to come back, and in May I heard about the Sousapalooza, and I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do,’” said Beason.
She hopes for others to see the power that music can have in bringing people together and show others that it’s possible to overcome even the toughest of obstacles.
“I’ve learned to play through it and to accept it and to not let it get in the way of getting to do what I love, which is playing the clarinet. There are all kinds of things in life that can take away what you love, but there are ways to overcome it,” said Beason.
To see the list of Make Music Day performances, click here.
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