In a symphony of hopefuls, Grand Central Madison became the stage for 54 musicians and groups, each vying for a coveted spot in the MTA's Music Under New York program. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the MTA welcomed auditions from an original pool of 130 applicants, narrowing it down to these performances who, seeking to join the melodious ranks of subway entertainers, each had five minutes to impress the judges. The decision-making panel was composed of music industry professionals, transit officials, and even current artists participating in the program, as reported by Gothamist.
Striving to enrich the daily transit experience, these performers offered sounds ranging from the soulful call of cellos to the worldly rhythms of South American flutes. With genre diversity being a key criterion, auditions showcased a tapestry of styles, including jazz, opera, and even Renaissance/Baroque music, much to the delight of passersby, all documented in a recent article by PIX 11. Juliette Michaelson, interim director of MTA Arts and Design, told Gothamist, “Under the banner of the MTA’s MUSIC program, performers of all stripes bring beauty and joy to millions of subway commuters and visitors.”
One of the auditioning artists, saxophonist Marquis Sayles, expressed to PIX 11 the special connection performers forge with commuters: “When the riders stop, if they stop. You have something special.” Not only looking for remarkable talent, judges evaluated performances on suitability for the transit environment, a consideration crucial for platforms and stations where, chasing the tempo of the train, a melody can indeed change the entire commute.
Among those lending their expertise to the panel, violinist and subway artist Yut Chia conveyed to PIX 11 his egalitarian philosophy towards performance venues, “I could be in the subway, a big hall, or a stadium. It’s all the same to me. It could be one person. I’ll put in the same energy and passion for the music,” with the understanding that the din of subway trains might drown out less commanding performances. Indeed, Azusa SHESHE Dance, also judging, remarked that to be heard, you need to "have fun, and have a good time," said to PIX 11 during the auditions.
The Music Under New York initiative, as it hits its 35-year milestone, maintains its vibrant legacy, inviting an ever-growing variety of artists to its stages. With the selection process concluded, the MTA is set to announce 20 new acts that will be joining the program's more than 350 performers, who altogether put on over 7,500 performances annually across 40 transit locations. The final decision is expected in June, promising new sounds and new energy across New York City's subway system, as per information obtained by Gothamist.
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