Music Under New York
Facts About the Program
At present, more than 100 individuals and ensembles participate in the Music Under New York (MUNY) program, providing over 150 weekly performances at approximately 25 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 and pipa 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.
Background
MUNY, one of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Arts for Transit’s visual and performing arts programs, whose purpose is to increase the attractiveness of transit facilities for customers. Initiated as a pilot program in 1985, MUNY became official in January 1987 garnering great enthusiasm from the commuting public.
How the Program Works
Every year, the annual auditions are held in Grand Central Terminal to review and add new performers to the MUNY roster. In an effort to appeal to all, MUNY seeks musicians who reflect the culture and diversity of the people of New York City. All performers are welcome to apply for the audition. 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 open to 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 auditions, the selected performers attend an orientation meeting to receive information explaining the procedures of the program and the regulations of the transit system, especially relating to passenger safety and comfort. As a member of MUNY, performers receive personalized MUNY banners to display during scheduled MUNY performance at the 25 designated MUNY sites. MUNY sites are busy, highly visible locations in the subway and commuter rail stations including Long Island Rail Road Penn Station and Metro-North Grand Central Terminal.
Throughout the year for the public, MUNY presents special events in the transit system with such themes as Blues Festival, Divas Underground, Summer Solstice, Jazz Festival, etc.
For Additional Information
Musicians, please contact: Tim Higginbotham, Consultant, Music Under New York at (212) 878-4678
Program information, please contact: Lydia Bradshaw, Manager, MTA Arts for Transit and Music Under New York at (212) 878-7225
Auditions
Every Spring, Music Under New York (MUNY) presents a day of auditions in Grand Central Terminal to review and add new performers to the MUNY roster. This year, MUNY held its annual auditions on May 1 on the Northeast Balcony of the Grand Central Terminal and received great press coverage. Here are excerpts from the day as captured by: The New York Times, NPR Audio and NPR Video reports.
Application Process
To join MUNY, musicians and performers must apply for the auditions and submit a package of information, which includes the
MUNY Audition Application form. To obtain an Audition Application form, which is available between January 1 and March 1, please contact MUNY at 212-878-4678 or print it from the MUNY website. For consideration, please prepare a package with the completed Application Form, a sample of your performance on CD, tape or video/DVD and/or optional items such as a bio, resume, press clippings or reviews and mail it to:
MTA MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK
341 Madison Avenue, 5th Fl.
New York, NY 10017
The Audition application packages are due in the MUNY office no later than March 15th.
All performers are welcome to apply for the audition. Packages will be reviewed and approximately 70 eligible performers will be contacted and invited to perform at the auditions, which are held live, one-day only, and open to public. A panel of professionals, consisting of representatives from the music industry, cultural institutions, MTA station operations, fellow musicians and others, will judge each of the five minute performances during the audition based on the criteria of quality, variety, and appropriateness for the mass transit environment.
Performance Locations
Long Island Rail Road
LIRR Penn Station, Site #2
Main corridor near entrance to 1,2,3 lines, below 7th Avenue
LIRR Penn Station, Site #3
Main corridor near entrance to A,C,E lines, below 8th Avenue
Metro-North Railroad
MN GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL, GRAYBAR
Passageway to east entrance, next to Graybar building/420 Lexington
MN GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL, LOWER LEVEL
Lower Dining concourse, opposite Tracks 105 and 106
New York City Transit
125th STREET and 8th AVENUE
Mezzanine area above downtown A,C,E lines
125th STREET and LEXINGTON
Platform area of 4,5,6 lines
14th STREET, UNION SQUARE, N&R
Mezzanine above last stairs to N, R, Q lines, southwest corner of station near entrance
28th STREET, Lexington Avenue
Platform area on the uptown side of the 6 line
34th STREET, SIXTH AVENUE (Herald Square)
Mezzanine area above N,R,Q lines, opposite the entrance
42nd STREET, 6th AVENUE
North end of the mezzanine below 6th Avenue, near entrance
42nd STREET, 8th AVENUE
Mezzanine area above A,C,E lines, below Port Authority
53rd STREET, Lexington Avenue
Corridor between 6 line and E, F lines, by the stairs to downtown 6 line
59th STREET, LEXINGTON AVENUE
North end platform area of the 6 line
68th STREET, LEXINGTON AVENUE
Temporarily closed
ASTOR PLACE
Near entrance area, platform areas of 6 line
ATLANTIC AVENUE, Pacific Street in Brooklyn
COLUMBUS CIRCLE, 60th STREET
2 locations
--Mezzanine above uptown 1 line, near 60th Street entrance
--Wide platform area of uptown 1 line
COURT STREET, BORO HALL in Brooklyn
Mezzanine of 2,4,R lines, near entrance
DUFFY SQUARE, TKTS
Closed due to construction
FULTON STREET, UPTOWN #4
Uptown Platform area, closed due to construction
GRAND CENTRAL STATION, MEZZANINE
Mezzanine area above 4,5,6 line
GRAND CENTRAL STATION, SHUTTLE
Mezzanine area at Shuttle line
GRAND ARMY PLAZA in Brooklyn
Platform area of 2,3 lines between the two stairways
Rockefeller Center, 50th STREET
Mezzanine area of B,D,F lines, near entrance at 50th street
Roosevelt AveNUE in Jackson Heights, Queens
Mezzanine level above E,F,G,R lines
TIMES SQUARE, 42nd STREET
Mezzanine opposite the Shuttle line, below 42nd and Broadway
SHEA STADIUM/ WILLETS AVENUE in Queens
Near entrance to 7 line, before exit ramp or on ramp
YANKEE STADIUM in the Bronx
Mezzanine of C, D, 4