Music Under New York

Last updated

Music Under New York musicians at the 34th Street-Hudson Yards station on Manhattan's West Side 34 St-Hudson Yards Opening (21412231825).jpg
Music Under New York musicians at the 34th Street–Hudson Yards station on Manhattan's West Side

Music Under New York (MUNY) is a part of the Arts & Design program by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that schedules musical performances in transportation hubs across its rapid transit, ferry, and commuter rail systems.

Contents

MTA grants every musician the legal right to perform, with or without MUNY affiliation. However, MUNY gives particular visibility and promotion to over 350 artists and groups who choose to participate. Artists are chosen through applications and ultimately a live audience with a jury panel. MUNY locations include approximately 30 high-traffic stations operated by the New York City Transit Authority that are part of the New York City Subway, the Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and the Staten Island Ferry.

History

Prohibition of musical performance in the New York City Subway was prevalent since the opening of the first line in 1904. [1] The ban continued under Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, who also made it illegal to perform on New York City streets. [2] Some musicians still sang and played instruments through the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s in an effort to reclaim public space. Finally in 1985, the ban on subway performance was declared unconstitutional following a court challenge by musician Roger Manning, [1] [3] and the MTA created MUNY as a pilot program. The program became official in January 1987. [4]

MUNY had no impact on the legal status of subway performing, as MUNY performers are covered by the same rules governing the general public. [5] However, affiliation with MUNY provides benefits to performers. These include priority scheduling in popular locations, access to commuter railroad terminals, and fewer problems with law enforcement. And, because the MUNY scheduling system rewards its auditioned performers with access to high-traffic areas, it arguably results in a higher-quality artistic product for MTA riders.

Legality

It is legal to perform music in the New York City Subway mezzanines with or without a MUNY affiliation. MUNY members as well as freelance performers are subject to regulations of the New York City Police Department and MTA. Section 1050.6 (c) of the New York City Transit Authority's Rules of Conduct regulates the provision of entertainment on the subway: [6]

The following nontransit uses are permitted by the Authority, provided they do not impede transit activities and they are conducted in accordance with these rules: public speaking; campaigning; leafletting or distribution of written noncommercial materials; activities intended to encourage and facilitate voter registration; artistic performances, including the acceptance of donations; solicitation for religious or political causes; solicitation for charities.

Notable performers

Many of the musicians who perform in the subway under MUNY hold successful careers above ground as well. Saxophonist Zane Massey was involved early on in arranging big band performances with the organization in the 1980s and 1990s. A number of MUNY performers have gone on to perform at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. These artists include Natalia Paruz (also known as the "Saw Lady"' for playing the musical saw), VongKu Pak (Korean drum), The Big Apple Boys (a cappella choir), James Graseck (violin), Hypnotic Brass Band, and Natalie Gelman (singer-songwriter). Possibly the best-known of them is Alice Tan Ridley, a gospel singer who was featured on season 5 of America's Got Talent . Similarly, singer Mike Yung has amassed millions of viral Youtube views and has also gone far in America's Got Talent. The current MUNY lineup has artists such as the Ebony Hillbillies, SisterMonk, Didjworks, Manze Dayila, Renaissance Street Singers, Heth and Jed, Kesha, Yaz Band and the Ukuladies. Floyd Lee (1933–2020) was a founding member of MUNY and later a judge on their board. [7] A full list of performers and locations can be found on the MUNY website.

A 2012 YouTube series known as "The Back Of The Busk" featured interviews with a number of MUNY performers, giving an insight into their background and careers. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Street performance</span> Performing in public places for gratuities

Street performance or busking is the act of performing in public places for gratuities. In many countries, the rewards are generally in the form of money but other gratuities such as food, drink or gifts may be given. Street performance is practiced all over the world and dates back to antiquity. People engaging in this practice are called street performers or buskers. Outside of New York, buskers is not a term generally used in American English.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City Subway</span> Rapid transit system in New York City

The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system in the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. It is owned by the government of New York City and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, an affiliate agency of the state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Opened on October 27, 1904, the New York City Subway is one of the world's oldest public transit systems, one of the most-used, and the one with the most stations, with 472 stations in operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City Transit Authority</span> Bus and subway service operator

The New York City Transit Authority is a public-benefit corporation in the U.S. state of New York that operates public transportation in New York City. Part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the busiest and largest transit system in North America, the NYCTA has a daily ridership of 8 million trips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolitan Transportation Authority</span> Public transportation organization in New York

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the New York City metropolitan area of the U.S. state of New York. The MTA is the largest public transit authority in North America, serving 12 counties in Downstate New York, along with two counties in southwestern Connecticut under contract to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, carrying over 11 million passengers on an average weekday systemwide, and over 850,000 vehicles on its seven toll bridges and two tunnels per weekday.

The Second Avenue Subway is a New York City Subway line that runs under Second Avenue on the East Side of Manhattan. The first phase of this new line, with three new stations on Manhattan's Upper East Side, opened on January 1, 2017. The full Second Avenue Line, if and when it will be funded, will be built in three more phases to eventually connect Harlem–125th Street in Harlem to Hanover Square in Lower Manhattan. The proposed full line would be 8.5 miles (13.7 km) and 16 stations long, serve a projected 560,000 daily riders, and cost more than $17 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Lots Avenue station (IRT New Lots Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The New Lots Avenue station is the eastern terminal of the IRT New Lots Line of the New York City Subway. Located in East New York, Brooklyn, it is the terminal for the 3 train at all times except late nights, when the 4 train takes over service. During rush hours, occasional 2, 4, and 5 trains also stop here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York City Subway stations</span> Rapid transit system in New York City

The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system that serves four of the five boroughs of New York City, New York: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Its operator is the New York City Transit Authority, which is itself controlled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York. In 2015, an average of 5.65 million passengers used the system daily, making it the busiest rapid transit system in the United States and the 11th busiest in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M (New York City Subway service)</span> New York City Subway service

The M Sixth Avenue Local is a rapid transit service in the B Division of the New York City Subway. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored orange since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport station</span> New York City Subway station in Queens

The Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport station is a two-level station on the IND and BMT Archer Avenue Lines of the New York City Subway. It is located at the intersection of Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. It is served by the E and J trains at all times, as well as the Z train during rush hours in the peak direction. This station has four tracks and two island platforms, with two platform levels: E trains stop on the upper level while J/Z trains stop on the lower level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation in New York City</span> Overview of urban transportation network

The transportation system of New York City is a network of complex infrastructural systems. New York City, being the most populous city in the United States, has a transportation system which includes one of the largest and busiest subway systems in the world; the world's first mechanically ventilated vehicular tunnel; and an aerial tramway. New York City is home to an extensive bus system in each of the five boroughs; citywide and Staten Island ferry systems; and numerous yellow taxis and boro taxis throughout the city. Private cars are less used compared to other cities in the rest of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myrtle Avenue station (BMT Jamaica Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Myrtle Avenue station is a New York City Subway express station on the BMT Jamaica Line. Located at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Broadway in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It is served by the J and M trains at all times, and by the Z during rush hours in peak direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer station</span> New York City Subway station in Queens

The Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer station is the northern terminal station of the IND and BMT Archer Avenue Lines of the New York City Subway, located at Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. It is served by E and J trains at all times, as well as Z trains during rush hours in the peak direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Signaling of the New York City Subway</span>

Most trains on the New York City Subway are manually operated. As of 2022, the system currently uses Automatic Block Signaling, with fixed wayside signals and automatic train stops. Many portions of the signaling system were installed between the 1930s and 1960s. Because of the age of the subway system, many replacement parts are unavailable from signaling suppliers and must be custom-built for the New York City Transit Authority, which operates the subway. Additionally, some subway lines have reached their train capacity limits and cannot operate extra trains in the current system.

Roger Manning is a New York City based singer-songwriter who plays an aggressive acoustic style of music. Manning, along with a small handful of other artists, composed the original New York City anti-folk scene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station is an express station of the New York City Subway, serving the IND Crosstown Line and the IND Fulton Street Line. Located at the intersection of Hoyt Street and Schermerhorn Street in Downtown Brooklyn, it is served by the A and G trains at all times, as well as the C train except late nights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East 105th Street station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The East 105th Street station is a grade-level station on the BMT Canarsie Line of the New York City Subway. Located near East 105th Street between Foster Avenue and Farragut Road in Canarsie, Brooklyn, it is served by the L train at all times.

Cathy Grier is an American musician.

MTA Arts & Design, formerly known as Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts for Transit and Arts for Transit and Urban Design, is a commissioned art program directed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the transportation systems serving New York City and the surrounding region. Since 1985, the program has installed art in more than 260 transit stations. The art is intended to be site-specific and to improve the journey for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Accessibility of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority</span> Aspect of public transit system in New York

The physical accessibility of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)'s public transit network, serving the New York metropolitan area, is incomplete. Although all buses are wheelchair-accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), much of the MTA's rail system was built before wheelchair access was a requirement under the ADA. This includes the MTA's rapid transit systems, the New York City Subway and Staten Island Railway, and its commuter rail services, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad. Consequently, most stations were not designed to be accessible to people with disabilities, and many MTA facilities lack accessible announcements, signs, tactile components, and other features.

References

  1. 1 2 Tanenbaum, Susie (1995). Underground Harmonies: Music and Politics in the Subways of New York. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Press.
  2. Hawkins, Robert (Fall 2012). ""Industry Cannot Go On without the Production of Some Noise": New York City's Street Music Ban and the Sound of Work in the New Deal Era". Journal of Social History. doi:10.1093/jsh/shs025. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013.
  3. Tanenbaum, Susie (2012). "A Guide for Street Performers".
  4. "MUNY Fact Sheet". Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
  5. "MUNY". Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
  6. "Rules of Conduct". Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
  7. "FLOYD LEE 1933 – 2020 – Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  8. "The Back of the Busk" on YouTube.