Make Music Fairfield is a free, community-wide program featuring live musical performances and family-friendly festivities. The larger global event, Make Music Day, is held annually on the summer solstice and invites musicians of all ages, skill levels, and styles to perform throughout their community.
The Make Music event transformed downtown Fairfield into a dynamic stage for music-making. The University organized performance spaces in front of the Fairfield University Store and at the University’s newest downtown location, 1720 Post Road, which was hosted by Fairfield’s Center for Arts & Minds. The Center for Arts & Minds brings all the University’s arts and cultural events together into one place, and as such, they were thrilled to welcome audiences of all ages to the 1720 pocket park for a day celebrating the magic of music.
The lineup at 1720 Post Road spotlighted a lively mix of regional artists in eight performances over the course of the day, with styles ranging from garage rock groups to critically acclaimed classical musicians. One of the highlights was The Noodlers, a band composed of Fairfield faculty, including: David Schmidt, PhD, associate professor of management; Janet Striuli, PhD, professor of mathematics; Anita Fernandez, PhD, associate professor of biology; Chris Staecker, PhD, professor of mathematics; and Beth Bouquet, PhD, professor of English. The band also includes Dr. Striuli’s daughter, Julia Speretta, on drums. The Noodlers founded their group several years ago; this year’s Make Music Fairfield marked their second public performance, kicking off the afternoon’s entertainment with their delightful rock/blues sound.
Margaret Collins, PhD, adjunct professor of visual and performing arts, also gave a wonderful performance of world flute music that community members in attendance enjoyed. In total, more than 300 music lovers stopped by the pocket park to listen, relax, and celebrate.
“It was a joy to see so many people come out for Make Music Fairfield Day,” said Provost Christine Siegel, PhD. “With our own University faculty group, The Noodlers, opening the day, the event brought everyone together to enjoy the spirit of summer. Fairfield University’s Center for Arts & Minds continues to find wonderful ways to engage the Fairfield community—both downtown and on campus.”
Make Music Fairfield, now in its eighth year, is part of the global Make Music Day celebration, which began in France in 1982 as Fête de la Musique and now takes place in over 2,000 cities and more than 120 countries worldwide. Open to everyone, it is a free, participatory festival where music fills streets, parks, storefronts, and public spaces.
