The Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) “Music Under New York” (MUNY) program revealed the names of musicians who have been accepted into the latest installment of the series today. Managed by MTA Arts for Transit since 1985, MUNY has showcased a plethora of talent that straphangers have enjoyed. Here’s the MTA’s announcement below:
MTA Arts for Transit today announced that 19 individuals and groups had been accepted into the Music Under New York (MUNY) program after performing at the program’s 24th annual auditions held on May 17 in Grand Central Terminal.
During the auditions, 68 acts performed live for a panel of judges of musicians, music and performing arts professionals, transit representatives and other to become part of the MUNY program. The acts were judged on the criteria of quality, variety, and appropriateness for the mass transit environment. Bob Holman, poet and proprietor of the Bowery Poetry Club, served as emcee for the event.
As a result of the judges’ scores, these 19 acts will become part of the MUNY program:
Marcella Louise Adame, Opera singer
Harold Allen, country singer
Brazilian Quarter, Brazilian & New Orleans music
Lindsay Dragan, singer songwriter & guitarist
Meta Joy Epstein, Baroque harpist
Erik Hegar, contemporary & classical harpist
Keizo Ishibashi, Italian mandolin player
Tom Larsen, guitarist & singer songwriter
Lost Wandering Blues & Jazz Band, Swing band
Mike Lunapiena, cellist improvisation
Metro Brass Quintet, classical, pop, jazz
MetropoliTones, female a capella
Eric Reimers, classical & Argentinean guitarist
Ron Service, saxophonist
The Body Electric, Afro-beat jazz ensemble
The Connections, Motown, R&B duo
Threeds, Oboe trio
Matt Vorzimer:eCussionist, electro improvisation
Christopher Worth, contemporary & traditional singer
Tom Larsen, Metro Brass Quintet, the Body Electric, and many other auditioning musicians can be seen at our video of the auditions, available on YouTube at this link: http://youtu.be/zHbAGwoUIv0
Currently, MUNY has over 350 individuals and groups on their roster, performing approximately 7,500 annual performances in about 25 transit locations around the City. Music Under New York is one of many visual and performing arts programs administered by MTA Arts for Transit to enhance the station environment for the customer.
