Mass Appeal is back for a second year, giving New Yorkers without groups of their own a chance to take part in the music-making, by bringing together hundreds of musicians to play pieces written for single types of instruments. From the rusty cellist to the professional circuit bender, all are welcome to join these epic events, all taking place outdoors on Monday, June 21st. Mass Appeal 2010 was coordinated by MMNY volunteer Yvonne Liu.
Any Instrument Welcome - Composers Collaborative continues its MMNY block party tradition, with a performance of Terry Riley's In C that's open to all. Performance from 6pm - 7:30pm in the middle of Cornelia Street in Manhattan; to join, please register at http://www.composerscollab.org/makeMusicSignin.html .
Accordians
Where & When: Washington Park (JJ Byrne), 3rd St and Fifth Ave, Brooklyn6pm - 8pm
On The Program: Accordionists are invited to participate in a musical environment directed by Bob Goldberg. Accordion Forest 2 is a collage in which each player (or small group) performs from his/her/their personal repertoire. Square Dance creates an intense sustained texture as it moves around the Park's central square.
How To Join: For information, email famousaccordions@earthlink.net, identify yourself and describe what you do as an accordionist. Bob Goldberg (director of the Famous Accordion Orchestra) will contact you with instructions.
Bagpipes
Where & When: Herald Square, 34th St and Broadway, Manhattan6:30pm - 8pm
On The Program: Herald Square will echo with the magical sounds of the massed pipes and drums as favorite Irish, Scottish, and American tunes fill the air. Under the direction of Pipe Major Patrick Duffy, this mass band will have something for everyone, whether you are a seasoned veteran or just a beginner.
How To Join: Just bring your pipes, drums and a good attitude! While kilt are not required, please feel free to wear yours. For comments or suggestions, contact Pat Duffy at massbandnyc@gmail.com. See you there!
Cast-Iron Buildings
Where & When: Spring St and Sixth Ave, Manhattan1pm
On The Program: Daniel Goode leads participants on a "SoHo Gamelan Walk" aided by a neighborhood map and suggested hand rhythms, to turn the "best" SoHo cast-iron buildings into resonant gong instruments with hand clapping. The piece ends when a select number of buildings have been turned into instruments.
Cellos
Where & When: Dag Hammerskjold Plaza, First Ave and E. 46th St, Manhattan6pm - 8pm
On The Program: This year's event will be a tribute to Pablo Casals, with a set that includes some of his works, as well as a unison performance of the Prelude to Bach's First Cello Suite and arrangements of classical and folk music. There will also be an extended structured improvisation designed to blend the natural resonance of many cellos with the sounds of Midtown East.
How To Join: There will be a rehearsal the day before (Sunday June 20th) at St. Francis de Sales Church, 135 East 96th St, 3-6 pm. Attendance at the rehearsal is not mandatory to participate. Cellists of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Please feel free to contact James at jdj83061@gmail.com with your questions.
Circuit benders
Where & When: Gansevoort St and Ninth Ave, Manhattan6pm
On The Program: Electronic musicians will perform on short-circuited devices such as children's toys, keyboards and drum machines, creating a world of unpredictable and spontaneous sounds. Bring or make your own instruments at our workshops and music-making stations, and then join us for a massive concert event at 6pm.
How To Join: We need performers to lead improvisations at public music making stations and to play in the 6pm Mass Appeal Concert. We need volunteers to help lead and assist in workshops and to help in general setup and event management. Contact: poppedbubblewrap@gmail.com
Clarinets
Where & When: Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel, Broadway and W. 48th St, Manhattan6pm - 7pm
On The Program: A clarinet choir led by Paul Steinfeld performs pop and classical pieces. Then anyone who shows up with a clarinet can join in to play a few easier pieces.
How To Join: Bring your clarinet and music stand. RSVP by contacting Paul Steinfeld at paul.steinfeld@verizon.net, and inquire about sheet music and attending rehearsals.
Flutes
Where & When: Bethesda Fountain Tunnel, Central Park at 72nd St, Manhattan2pm - 4pm
On The Program: Two hours featuring a wide variety of music ranging from Bach to Brazilian and Popular hits performed by flutists of all ages and levels. Led by Mary-Ann Tu, the event welcomes everyone for sightreading and meeting other flutists.
How To Join: Invite your flute along and bring a stand. Please contact Mary-Ann Tu, maryann.tu@gmail.com, if you would like to join in the fun. All skills welcome.
French Horns
Where & When(1) Madison Square Park, Broadway and E. 24th St, Manhattan 1pm - 2:30pm.
(2) Archway under Manhattan Bridge, Water St and Anchorage Pl, Brooklyn. 6:30pm - 7:15pm.
On The Program
The French Horn Nation! is an amicable aggregation of conical bore brass instruments that will delight with dulcet tones and mellifluous melodies! Translation? A whole bunch of French Horn players in one place at one time! We'll perform all kinds of Horn-centric music from classical to jazz to something we wrote the night before.
How To Join
Gongs
Where & When: Merchants' Gate, Columbus Circle, Manhattan4pm - 6pm
On The Program: NYC percussion duo Loop 2.4.3 will lead a Gong Ensemble. Participants will receive instructions and be directed through the premiere performance of a new composition by duo members Thomas Kozumplik and Lorne Watson that includes elements of improvisation. Loop 2.4.3 will perform other original works in between presentations of the gong premiere.
How To Join: Contact tk@loop243.com. If you have your own gong - let us know the type and size. Otherwise, we may be able to provide you with an instrument: Loop 2.4.3 is partnering with Carroll Music to feature a wide variety of gongs from around the world, from 6" Chinese opera gongs to a 52" Swiss creation.
Guitars
Where & When: Union Square W & E, 14th St, Manhattan5pm - 8pm
On The Program: Guitarists invade Union Square in what is rumored to be the largest ensemble of guitarists the world has ever seen! Covers of classic rock, folk, and pop masterpieces are performed as one massive strumming entity, with brief sets by local musicians and performing artists. Produced by NYC Guitar School.
How To Join: Contact Genifer Owen at massappeal@nycguitarschool.com to register, and receive all chords and charts necessary to learn the songs You can RSVP via meetup.com. Practice jams will be scheduled for those who need some tips. Guitarists of all ages and styles are welcome.
Harmonicas
Where & When: Petrosino Square, Lafayette St and Cleveland Pl, Manhattan12:30pm - 2:30pm
On The Program: Petrosino Square becomes the harmonica hotspot for showcasing this easily learned instrument. Anyone is welcome: kids, young people, adults, seniors, and whole families. Bring any type of harmonica (preferably Key of C), and world-class harmonica virtuoso Jia-Yi He will soon have you blowing the music away as part of a massed harmonica band.
How To Join: Bring a harmonica! Contact Jia-Yi He at hejiayi@yahoo.com for places to purchase one for a few dollars. No experience necessary to join.
iPhones (and other Apple products)
Where & When: 14th St and Ninth Av, Manhattan5pm
On The Program: Often cited as the first minimalist musical work, Terry Riley's "In C" exists in the space between composition and improvisation. "Mobile In C" brings this 20th century work into the 21st century by using Apple's popular mobile platforms allowing anyone, regardless of musical background, to participate in the piece. Experience the magic of strangers working together to truly become an ensemble.
How To Join: 1) Come to the event with either an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. 2) Download "Mrmr OSC controller" from the App Store (it's free). 3) In the main settings for your phone, select the "In C Server" as the WiFi service. 4) Open Mrmr. 5) Have your mind blown.
Saxophones
Where & When: Richard Tucker Square, Broadway and W. 66th St, Manhattan6pm - 8pm
On The Program: Join a large group of saxophonists to play music that will broadly fall under the category of jazz, including special arrangements by ensemble members.
How To Join: Contact Joel Gombiner at joelhg@gmail.com. There will be a rehearsal on June 7.
Trombones
Where & When: Dana Discovery Center, Central Park: 110th St & 5th Ave7pm - 9pm
On The Program: Kevin McCormack assembles The Trombone Gathering! Trombonists of all shapes, sizes and ages are welcome to join us at Central Park North where we will play selections such as an excerpt from Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite" and a special arrangement of "One Note Samba".
How To Join: Bring your 'bone 'cause you won't be alone! For more info and to attend a rehearsal, email tbonemmny@gmail.com.
Trumpets
Where & When: Bowling Green Park, Broadway & Whitehall St, Manhattan5pm - 7pm.
On The Program: Trumpets from all over NYC gather at Bowling Green to serenade lower Manhattan at sunset. The program includes new arrangements of the classic Gershwin tune "Summertime" as well as Rimsky Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" Led by Nicholas Mauro.
How To Join: Own a trumpet and contact Nicholas Mauro, nhmjazz@gmail.com, for details and any questions about the program.
Tubas
Where & When: Dante Park, Broadway and W. 63rd St, Manhattan6pm - 7:30pm
On The Program: The premiere performance of the New York Tubas will consist of an assembly of tubas and euphonia (and no doubt a sprinkling of trombones) directly across the street from Lincoln Center. The resonant sounds of assembled low brass should reverberate throughout the vicinity, infusing harmony into the solstice festivities.
Ukuleles
Where & When: Union Square Greenmarket, Broadway and E. 17th St, Manhattan4pm - 8pm
On The Program: More than 20 of the NY area's best ukers perform a variety of music. Each act includes at least one audience play-along. Lead sheets will be provided.
How To Join: Just strum on over for a good ukulele time. No need to register in advance, but if you have questions, email rickbruner at gmail. Bring a uke, and, if you can, a music stand and/or D batteries (for our amps).
Violins
Where & When: Union Square Greenmarket, Broadway and E. 17th St, ManhattanNoon - 2pm
On The Program: All violin-ers participating in the Mass Appeal for Violins will be playing at Union Square from 12pm-4pm. We'll be playing fiddle tunes, classic violin pieces, a little rock and roll and the increasingly exciting jams of Suzuki (woo!). You won't want to miss these melodies!
Play Hard: The MMNY Corporate Challenge pits VP against manager, assistant against CFO as guitar-slinging office workers from Accenture, Bloomberg LP, and HBO rock for glory in a battle of the corporate bands.
About The Contest
Each band will have 30 minutes to rip, shred, rock and "play hard" in the ultimate effort to wow our judges, win a coveted gig that evening at the Arena Event Space (135 W. 41st St, 6pm - midnight), stake their claim as the city's best corporate band, take home a custom handmade guitar from Jarrell Guitars, and bring glory to their company.
When & Where
Noon - 2pm, Bryant Park's Fountain Terrace, Sixth Avenue at 41st St
Drawing their inspiration from classic rock 'n' roll, The Mnemonix are the official house band of Bloomberg. This "hard rockin', fist pumpin', good times havin', take no prisoners band" will play a set likely to include "American Girl" (Tom Petty), "Can't Always Get What You Want" (Rolling Stones), "All Along the Watchtower" (Bob Dylan), and "Can't You See/Born to be Wild" (Marshall Tucker Band/Steppenwolf).
HBO's Firewall represents several departments within HBO, with members ranging from former professionals to avid amateurs. They focus on straight ahead rock and roll, from Elvis to Violent Femmes, and look forward to rocking their "front yard" in Bryant Park.
Accenture's high-performance band, Consultants By Day, delivers with songs like "Hard to Handle" (Black Crowes), "Superstition" (Stevie Wonder), and "Won't Get Fooled Again" (The Who).
