MTA Music

MTA Music is a performing arts program administered by MTA Arts & Design that brings live music to the transit system. Launched as a pilot program in 1985 and established as a full Arts & Design program in January 1987, MTA Music has grown with the enthusiastic support of New York’s riding public.

Today, more than 150 performers and ensembles put on more than 8,500 performances throughout the transit system. Genres range from classical strings and jazz to folk, world music, and a cappella—performed on an equally eclectic range of instruments, including the Gambian kora, Korean drum, West Indian steel drums, Andean pipes, hammered dulcimers, and musical saws.

Building on its current daily performances in subway stations and rail hubs, MTA Music hosts the Stations Series–a monthly themed performance series at five key locations across the five boroughs:

• Bronx: Parkchester Station  or 161 St–Yankee Stadium    (weather dependent)
• Brooklyn: Atlantic Terminal / Atlantic Av–Barclays Ctr          
• Manhattan: 34 St–Herald Sq         
• Queens: Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av/74 St      
• Staten Island: Staten Island Ferry, St. George Terminal

Each month will spotlight cultural and musical diversity with themes such as:

• February: Black History Month
• March: Women’s History Month
• April: Jazz Appreciation Month
• May: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• June: Worldbeat (in conjunction with FIFA World Cup NYC)
• July: Great American Songbook (in conjunction with America 250)
• September: Classical Music Appreciation Month
• October: Hispanic Heritage Month
• November: Native American Heritage Month
• December: Holiday and New Year Celebration

Additional Stations Series performances will be announced on an ongoing basis.

There are currently no auditions scheduled for MTA Music. We look forward to announcing future opportunities for performers to join our program.

Daily performances will continue with our current roster of musicians. Please see our Instagram for upcoming MTA Music events and check this page for updates. Sign up for our e-newsletter to be the first to get news from MTA Arts & Design.