Fairfield Musicians 'Bring Joy To Others' With Make Music Day

FAIRFIELD, CT — The joyful sounds of music spread throughout town Monday as Fairfield took part in the worldwide Make Music Day.

“It’s a way to celebrate the longest day of the year,” explained Lou Heumann, board chair of the Fairfield Theater Company, which organized the local event for the fourth year in a row, along with the town and the Connecticut Office of the Arts.

“In Connecticut alone there are 17 cities participating, but Fairfield is the biggest,” she said, with 38 musical groups covering 52 performances across 17 locations.

Caroline Lauf, a guitarist and singer from Fairfield, performed at both the Fairfield Library and on Sherman Green at the gazebo.

“I think this is incredible,” she said, “that there are so many people coming together to bring music to the town.”

Like others, she was overjoyed with being able to be a part of an event that was going on throughout the world.

Make Music Day officially started in France in 1982 through its Ministry of Culture. Today, over 1,000 cities in 120 countries participate.

“This is community at its finest — everybody coming together, all ages, just wanting to play music,” said Jim Royle, a Trumbull music teacher who led a drum circle at the gazebo.

Fairfield resident Arleigh Doyle was thrilled to see the event happening, though she said she wished more people had been able to come, owing to it being a weekday.

“We love music in our family, so it’s nice to see live music again,” she said.

Her son, Nathan Teed, 14, a burgeoning musician, enjoyed taking part in the drum circle.

“I think playing music outside, during the day, is a good way to express yourself and bring joy to others,” he said.