Make Music New York is a unique festival of free concerts in public spaces throughout the five boroughs of New York City that has been taking place since 2007. Make Music New York's mission celebrates the musician in all of us, connects New Yorkers to their communities and with each other, brings bold new artistic creations to life, unites diverse communities in a spirit of celebration and energizes the shared social spaces that make NYC a cultural capital. The organization's 20th summer festival takes place on June 21. For details on participating or listening, visit makemusicny.org/.

The following dialogue is adapted from a recent Make Music New York newsletter. Make Music New York spoke about River of Song with the event's organizers -- the members of October Project: Marina Belica, vocalist; Emil Adler, composer; and Julie Flanders, lyricist/librettist.

Make Music New York: Hi, Marina. River of Song is shaping up to be the Make Music New York vocal program of the season. Let's start by explaining to our music makers and fans the big picture: what is the inspiration and vision of this large participatory performance?

October Project: We want to spread harmony and joy through music with people coming together in a flashmob of music and movement, a "River of Song" down the Hudson. Our song "Joy," which comes from our choral work The Book of Rounds: 21 Songs of Grace written by Julie Flanders and Emil Adler, conveys an uplifting and longed-for message of delight in life for its own sake. Along with the two other songs we'll be offering at Pier I (where the parade arrives), we are inviting participants and onlookers to an uplift of spirit. We are offering an antidote to stressful times -- the opportunity to gather together to experience "Joy," live and in person, in a flashmob parade on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It's also a throwback to the joyful noise of New York's irrepresible residents cheering and banging on pots and pans each evening during the lockdown days of COVID, when we created a Worldwide Virtual Choir of Joy that went on to win awards and inspire many.

MMNY: So fun that this will be a dynamic performance that incorporates a music march along a beautiful stretch of Riverside Park. Who can participate? Do you need to be a professional or serious amateur or is it open to all?

OP: River of Song is open to everyone! Singers. Choirs. Non-Singers, Families. New Yorkers of every age and background. Not only is it Make Music Day, it's Father's Day, it's the longest day of sunlight, it's a Sunday afternoon in the park!

MMNY: So you are looking for individual singers, choirs and volunteers of all ages and skill levels to sign up; that's great. How do they register?

OP: On our River of Song website at www.octoberprojectmusic.com/river-of-song/river-of-song. We have a registration link, downloadable sheet music and video guide tracks to help you learn the music. Or you can just sign up to march in the parade!

MMNY: In an exciting twist, the singers are going to be complemented by a marching band -- and not just any marching band.

OP: Yes, we will march and sing alongside the Official Marching Band of New York City! That promisees to be one of the best parts of the excursion -- to march with the band?! Please come join us for a joyous and unforgettable day. Rain or shine.