A few thoughts on the NYC subway

Why is there music in the New York subways?

This was the question I asked myself last week as I boarded my first subway train.

Over the week, I was fascinated to hear various musicians at subway stops across New York. 

I got to interview the manager of the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) Arts for Transit program here in New York yesterday and just thought about how interesting the concept of music is in a noisy, crazy, bustling place like the subway system.

I came to find out that there’s over 100 musicians on a roster that are allowed to perform in the subway system. They audition for spots; this year, over 200 people auditioned and only 23 were chosen. I found a blog with pictures of this year’s auditions and there are people playing instruments that I’ve never seen – much less heard of – before a few days ago.

These subway performers are not paid through the program; they make their money through donations from the public. It gives them a venue to interact with commuters and use their music to encourage and soothe those in the subways.



Late last night, I caught one of the subway performers, a singer named Nicola. I watched as she held a steady crowd and sang above all the noise and chaos in the subway system. She was kind enough to talk to me after she finished around 11. We chatted as she packed up her equipment. I asked her a few questions, but mostly went from what she started telling me about her subway gig.

She said one of the most difficult parts about performing in the subway is the lack of a real stage. I hadn’t even considered that as a challenge, but it presents a very real issue. I watched as people walked right up to her face to drop money in her guitar case or wave, even during the middle of one of her songs. Honestly, people can be rude and disrespectful by getting too close or trying to speak to a musician while she’s in the middle of a performance. What happened to common courtesy? People wouldn’t do things like that during a concert at a “normal” venue.

It’s still such a crazy concept to me. Wouldn’t these subway musicians much rather be in concert halls or even bars performing with a much more attentive audience? Why are they willing to perform and share their amazing skills and talents with an audience that often seems unappreciative? Do they like the way their music sounds in the subway? How hard it is to make yourself heard above the hubbub? Is it just as much for tourists as it is for everyday New York commuters? I couldn’t really find anyone who gave me complete answers to these questions, but maybe I’ll head back to the subways this week and keep asking.

I enjoyed watching the audience response to the music. Very few walk by and completely ignore the musicians. I’ve only witnessed one rude audience member and he was only rude because he didn’t like the religious music that one group sang. As he asked me very loudly, “You think if I give them money they’d shut the [expletive] up? I hate that stuff, I have no religion.” Another male audience member approached a female singer as she packed up her equipment and asked her to sign his hand. She smiled and graciously granted his request, which was probably more than I could have done. I honestly don’t know how I would respond to situations like that.

I appreciate the Music Under New York program and find it fascinating that someone took the time to realize that adding something as simple as music might help soothe and settle some of the chaos that is the New York subway system. I think it’s important that they continue to expand their program and work to maintain diversity on their music roster.