Did you know that most of the musicians you see and hear in the subway are part of an MTA program called Music Under New York? I was recently walking down the subway steps and heard the most beautiful steel drums playing. As I approached the platform I saw a musician smiling from ear to ear playing away on his drums so happy to be making other people happy with his music. I got to thinking about where do these musicians come from? Is it a formal program or do they wander around from station to station? I researched a little further and found that it is a program that at present, more than 350 individuals and ensembles participate in. providing over 7,500 annual performances at approximately 30 locations throughout the transit system. A variety of performances are presented in New York’s underground such as classical strings, jazz, ensembles, blues bands, Doo Wop and steppers. Musicians often play interesting instruments including the Sengalese kora, Andean pipes, Korean drums, Aboriginal didjeridoo, steel drums, Cajun cello, Flamenco guitar, Gypsy violin, and Chinese dulcimer while divas sing songs of rhythm and blues, opera, pop, American and Haitian folk, and other types among the many diverse acts performed 365 days a year.
Every year, the annual auditions are held in Grand Central Terminal to review and add new performers to the roster. In an effort to appeal to all, musicians are selected who reflect the culture and diversity of the people of New York City. All performers are welcome to apply for the audition. Application forms are available at the beginning of the year.. Eligible performers are contacted and invited to perform at the auditions, which are held live, one-day only, and are open to the public. A panel of professionals, consisting of representatives from the music industry, cultural institutions, MTA station operations, fellow musicians and others, judge each of the five minute performances based on the criteria of quality, variety, and appropriateness for the mass transit environment.
After the audition, the selected performers attend an orientation meeting to receive information explaining the procedures of the program and regulations of the transit system. As a member of Music Under New York, members receive banners to display during scheduled performances at the 30 designated sites. The sites are busy, highly visible locations in the subway and commuter rail stations including Metro North and Penn Station.