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Artists audition to perform in NYC subway as MTA music program turns 35
By
Phil Corso
Published May 14, 2025
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Marc A. Hermann / MTA
By
Phil Corso
Published May 14, 2025
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Grand Central Madison was buzzing on Wednesday as 54 musicians and groups auditioned for a chance to join the MTA’s Music Under New York program, now celebrating its 35th year.
The agency said performers were selected from a pool of 130 applicants and given five minutes each to showcase their talents before a panel of more than two dozen judges, including music industry professionals, transit officials and current artists with the program.
“Under the banner of the MTA’s MUSIC program, performers of all stripes bring beauty and joy to millions of subway commuters and visitors,” said Juliette Michaelson, interim director of MTA Arts and Design. “Today, we’re asking our judges to select the next generation of talented musicians to join the program – undoubtedly a difficult task, given the caliber of performers here.”
Violinist Dr. Edward W. Hardy plays for a panel of judges including musicians, MTA staff and industry professionals.
Marc A. Hermann / MTA
Judges evaluated performances based on quality, suitability for the transit environment and genre diversity.
Musical styles at this year’s auditions included jazz, opera, classical, funk, folk, tango, R&B and Renaissance/Baroque.
One performer charms the crowd at Grand Central Madison during Wednesday’s auditions.
Marc A. Hermann / MTA
Instruments ranged from cellos and clarinets to South American flutes and Japanese shakuhachi and koto.
The MTA said 20 new acts will be added to the program with final selections announced in June.
A quartet performs folk-infused originals in hopes of earning a spot in the MTA MUSIC program.
Marc A. Hermann / MTA
The program features more than 350 performers across 40 designated transit locations and hosts over 7,500 live performances each year.
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Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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