New Monthly Stations Series Program Will Celebrate Musical and Cultural Diversity; This in Addition to Regular Daily Performances
Comes as MTA’s Arts and Design Program Celebrates 40th Anniversary
As part of the ongoing 40th anniversary celebration of its Arts and Design program, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced a major refresh of the long-running “Music Under New York” program. Now called “MTA Music” this refresh includes an expanded performance calendar designed to bring even more live music to New Yorkers throughout 2026 and beyond.
To kick things off, MTA Music is launching the “Stations Series” program - a new monthly themed performance series at five key locations across the five boroughs. Each month will highlight a different musical or cultural heritage. This is in addition to current daily performances in subway stations and rail hubs.
Stations Series performance sites include:
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Bronx: Parkchester Station or 161 St–Yankee Stadium (weather dependent)
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Brooklyn: Atlantic Terminal / Atlantic Av–Barclays Ctr
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Manhattan: 34 St–Herald Sq
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Queens: Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av/74 St
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Staten Island: Staten Island Ferry, St. George Terminal
The inaugural Stations Series is set for Thursday, February 26 from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. with a celebration of Black History Month featuring the following performers:
Bronx: Parkchester Station
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Salieu Suso – Gambian kora/vocals
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Anthony Quarterman – R&B/pop vocals
Brooklyn: Atlantic Terminal / Atlantic Av–Barclays Ctr
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Underground Drummers – hand drums/percussion
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.: TC Saxman – R&B/funk saxophone
Manhattan: 34 St–Herald Sq
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Arlethia – gospel/vocals
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Marquis Sayles – jazz saxophone
Queens: Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Av/74 St
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.: G Wyll – R&B/pop guitar/vocals
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Chanese Elifé – guitar/vocals
Staten Island: Staten Island Ferry, St George Terminal
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Kevin Herbert – jazz and classical guitar
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Anthony Bell – handpan/percussion
Upcoming Stations Series themes include:
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March: Women’s History Month
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April: Jazz Appreciation Month
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May: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
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June: World Beats (in conjunction with FIFA World Cup NYC)
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July: Great American Songbook (in conjunction with America 250)
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September: Classical Music Appreciation Month
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October: Subway Day (October 27)
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November: Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month
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December: Holiday and New Year Celebration
Additional Stations Series performances will be announced throughout the year.
Regular daily MTA Music performances will continue at sites across all boroughs, including Times Square-42 St; 34 St-Penn Station; 14 St-Union Sq; Grand Central Terminal, East and West; Staten Island Ferry, Whitehall Terminal; Grand Central-42 St; 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal; and Times Square-42 St. This is in addition to the Stations Series locations.
Along with the name change comes a vibrant new look: the MTA Arts & Design logo paired with a distinctive pink Music circle. Program performers are already displaying banners featuring the refreshed identity throughout the transit system.
About MTA Music
MTA Music features more than 150 active performers representing genres from classical and jazz to world music and singer-songwriters. Instruments range from the Gambian kora and Korean drum to steel drums, Andean pipes, Cajun cello, Celtic and Baroque harps, guitars, violins, hammered dulcimers, and even musical saws. With more than 8,500 musical performances annually, MTA Music enriches the transit experience for millions of riders.
About MTA Arts & Design
Since 1985, MTA Arts & Design has delivered innovative arts programming throughout New York’s transit system. Over four decades, Arts & Design has built a collection of award-winning art that reflects the diversity of the New York City region and makes travel a more engaging experience for millions of riders every day. The program has commissioned more than 400 permanent artworks and activated subway and railroad stations, train cars, and bus depots with MTA Music performances, Poetry in Motion, posters, photography, digital art, and special events.