MTA Arts & Design Hosts Music Under New York Auditions at Grand Central Madison

Approximately 50 Finalists Chosen from Over 100 Applicants Across All Music Genres Compete to Join the Roster 

MTA Partners with Partnership for NYC and Shutterstock to Invite Public to Vote for its Favorite Performers 

View Photos from Today’s Welcome Ceremony and Auditions 

For the first time since 2019, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Arts & Design today held auditions for the Music Under New York program (MTA MUSIC), now in its 33rd year. This is the first time the auditions were held at Grand Central Madison. 

For the first time in the program’s history, the MTA is partnering with WE LOVE NYC and Shutterstock to invite the public to choose a “Riders Choice” from three finalists. Voting will be available on the MTA’s website from July 19 to July 27. 

"Music Under New York combines two of New York's greatest loves, music and transit," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "This program is a model for public arts around the world, and the WE LOVE NYC partnership encourages riders of every background to get involved."  

"Public transit is the lifeblood of the region, and culture is a huge part of our dynamism," said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. "Music Under New York is a one-of-a-kind stage for musical performers in this city and now our riders will have an opportunity to choose their favorite performers.” 

"Every subway rider remembers a time when a musician stopped them in their tracks during their commute, offering a moment of joy, excitement, or calm that great music can bring during a hectic day,” said NYC Transit President Richard Davey. "In addition to delivering faster, cleaner and safer service to our riders, Music Under New York is crucial to providing a world class experience in the transit system." 

"I'm thrilled to welcome the Music Under New York auditions to Grand Central Madison for the first time," said Metro-North Railroad President and LIRR Interim President Catherine Rinaldi. "Whether riders are traveling to the Hamptons on the Long Island Rail Road or Poughkeepsie on Metro-North, they can count on performances from these world-class artists.”  

“MTA MUSIC auditions reflect the abundance of talent in New York City,” said MTA Arts & Design Director Sandra Bloodworth. “It’s an exciting day filled with diverse performances. Those selected will join our existing Music Under New York roster and become part of an incredible program that reaches the enormous transit ridership and brings a little magic to the journey.” 

“Governor Hochul, the MTA, and New York City Transit have worked hard to ensure that our subways are safe and reliable,” said Partnership for New York City President and CEO Kathryn Wylde. “This partnership between Music Under New York and WE LOVE NYC intends to also make the subways fun and to engage riders in that process.” 

This year, Music Under New York received 128 applications. 46 finalists were given five minutes to perform at the auditions in front of a panel of more than two dozen judges made up of music industry professionals, members of cultural institutions, MTA MUSIC musicians and MTA operations staff. Auditionees were judged on quality, appropriateness for the transit environment and musical variety with the goal of increasing the number of genres represented in the program. Approximately 25 new acts will be added to the program roster. 

Auditions were grouped into two sessions. The morning session included bossa nova, funk, classical, rhythm & blues, Latin pop, folk rock, brass bands, jazz ensembles and looping violinists. The afternoon included salsa and merengue, gospel, Colombian folk, Irish fiddle, beatboxing, accordion pop, jazz with bass, musical saw, clarinet and a female brass band.  

MTA MUSIC has more than 350 performers showcasing classical strings, jazz ensembles, world music bands, folk, a cappella groups, singer-songwriters and more, featuring a wide range of instruments such as the Gambian kora, Korean drum, West Indian steel drums, Andean pipes, Cajun cello, Celtic and Baroque harps, guitars, violins, hammered dulcimers and musical saws. Performers are programmed at approximately 40 MTA MUSIC locations throughout the transit system, including subway stations and MTA commuter rail terminals and the Staten Island Ferry terminal. MTA Arts & Design presents more than 7,500 musical performances in the transit system every year. The musicians perform in designated locations with a Music Under New York banner that features their name and the Music Under New York logo. 

About MTA Arts & Design 

MTA Arts & Design encourages the use of public transportation by providing visual and performing arts in the New York metropolitan area. The Percent for Art program is one of the largest and most diverse collections of site-specific public art in the world, with more than 350 commissions by world-famous, mid-career and emerging artists. Arts & Design produces Posters, Digital Art, photographic Lightbox exhibitions, as well as live musical performances in stations through its Music Under New York (MTA MUSIC) program, and the Poetry in Motion program in collaboration with the Poetry Society of America. It serves the millions of people who rely upon MTA subways and commuter trains and strives to create meaningful connections between sites, neighborhoods, and people. To learn more, visit mta.info/art or follow on Twitter at @MTAArtsDesign. 

About WE LOVE NYC 

WE LOVE NYC is a cross-sector campaign to showcase the city’s strengths and mobilize New Yorkers to make sure this remains the greatest city in the world. The citywide campaign celebrates New Yorkers who are making a difference — the “Do-ers” — and features opportunities for civic engagement that everyone can join. No taxpayer dollars were used for this effort, and all New Yorkers are invited to get involved at welovenyc.nyc.