2026 Anthem Awards Winners Announced!
Go back

River of Song

October Project PROJECT
River of Song by October Project

credits

Title
  • River of Song
Entrant
  • October Project

About This Project

Summary

River of Song, October Project's inaugural activation for Make Music New York's 20th Anniversary, invited New Yorkers of all ages to sing and/or march with the All-City Marching Band along the Hudson River from Riverside Park to Pier I—a jubilant flashmob parade bringing harmony and joy to the streets of NYC. Singers and non-singers alike united in October Project's award-winning round "Joy," culminating in a performance at Pier I. New Yorkers march for many reasons. This was a MARCH FOR JOY.

Goals & Objectives

Our goal was to create a one-of-a-kind, community music-making event, free and open to the public, for people to come together in a joyful musical experience, to sing and/or march with a Marching Band in a surprise, flashmob Parade of Joy through Riverside Park, bringing joy to bystanders along the

Results & Impact

Named “THE Make Music New York vocal program of the season,” with a marching band, choirs and New Yorkers of every ilk, River of Song was deemed one of THE major events of MMNY 2026. Enthusiastically received by participants and public alike, it is slated to become a perennial Make Music Day event.

the team

Emil Adler
  • Composer, Producer, Perfromer
  • October Project
Marina Belica
  • Producer, Performer
  • October Project
Julie Flanders
  • Writer, Producer, Performer
  • October Project
James Burke
  • Executive Director
  • Make Music New York
Sarah Weiss
  • Deputy Director
  • Make Music New York
Ulrich Vilbois
  • Filmmaker
  • CTGS
Samuel Flanders
  • Cameraman
Dr. James John
  • Conductor
  • Aaron Copland School of Music
Alex Jung
  • Bandleader
  • All-City Marching Band
Keiji Ishiguri
  • Vocal Arranger
Mick Wieland
  • Graphic Design
Carly Henry
  • Event Coordinator
Tommy Chang
  • Production Assistant