The Music Hall had never seen anything quite like it. Dozens of musicians were invited to take the stage on March 26 to participate in a 35-minute improvised jam during the opening ceremonies of the 2011 RPM Challenge Listening Party in Portsmouth. Acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, microphones, numerous percussion instruments and even a Theremin were shared by an unrehearsed assemblage of musicians of all genres, while audience shook maracas and blew kazoos.

More than 2,000 participants from around the world signed up for the sixth annual RPM Challenge, which encourages artists to write and record an entire album of original music in the month of February. They completed nearly 800 new CDs, all of which were on display at The Music Hall. 

Although the technical deadline for CDs was March 1, RPM organizer and Wire publisher Dave Karlotski announced at the listening party that one more album would be accepted—recorded live on The Music Hall stage that very night. As he made the announcement, a screen behind him lifted away to reveal a hidden arsenal of instruments. Local musician and RPM volunteer Nate Groth ran the show as musicians filed onstage to partake in the impromptu jam. Local musicians ages 6 to 60-plus were represented, as were RPMers from Montreal, Boston, New York and Texas. It ended with a swarm of fans dancing and clapping and jumping around in collective elation.

Following the jam, participants fanned out to listening parties at The Music Hall’s Founders Lobby, Foobar, The Press Room and RiverRun Bookstore to hear selected tracks from finished RPM CDs by area participants. 

The RPM Challenge is not a contest, but guests at the Listening Party were rewarded with a nightlong celebration of music and art. To listen to some of the music recorded in February, check out the RPM Jukebox at www.rpmchallenge.com.