At night on Jan. 27, I was on my way home from work when I was greeted by the sounds of a low-registered saxophone performing its rendition of the theme from "Star Wars." I was too exhausted to watch and listen intently, but from a distance, I gave my undivided attention to the underground musicians.
Lately, I've been noticing a change in the appearance of the musicians who play across the MTA map of New York City. The physicality of the musicians themselves remain the same as they always did—ambitious and young—but it has more to do with the setting.
As many of you may or may not have recognized during your commute to school or work, artists have a small setup in busy stations like Times Square, Port Authority Bus Terminal and Penn Station. Of course, their instruments varies in size, color and sound, but they all have one thing in common: a vibrant, neon-pink sign that reads, "Music Under New York" (MUNY).
MUNY is a program managed by the Arts & Designs department of New York City. This program has existed for well over 20 years, and over 350 soloists and music groups participate each year with more than 7,500 performances around the city. I'm positive that their audition list extends past five pages. With a wide range of musicians specializing in a specific genre of music and style, it's a no-brainer that MUNY has it all!
What caught my attention especially was their new look. “Arts & Design introduced a new, refreshed look and logo for Music Under New York at the annual Music Under New York Auditions in May 2014,” the MTA’s website states.
It can be very peaceful to hear the sounds of the underground musicians, even though it can sometimes be pestering. It's nice to see that New York is acknowledging the countless number of local artists that reside in the city. It gives them exposure and a place to entertain.
MUNY provides a safe space for the musicians to demonstrate their art—and, while doing so, it's making what can be a lousy commute for most people joyous and uplifting. Then there are times like my commute back home from work, when I was just tired and cranky, but the music that welcomed me woke me up and made my travels a lot less dreadful. Unlike many programs created by the city, this is one that I can actually enjoy.
