Toronto transit buskers bring culture to subway system Special

Toronto - Each year 74 musicians walk into one of 25 subway stations in Toronto to perform for the masses. They are not homeless buskers in fact they have to pay for the right to entertain the crowd.

Each August 150 to 200 musicians compete for a prized spot in the Toronto Transit Commission's musician program. Only 74 acts and an alternate with make the grade. The musicians have been in the stations since July 1979. There have been Juno winners, Royal Conservatory of Music graduates, symphony performers and published musicians doing their part in bringing culture to Toronto riders each year. Digital Journal spoke to various musicians after their performances. Some had been with the program for years while others were on their first year. All of the performers enjoyed their time entertaining the crowds. Jane Garofalo, with TTC special events, said that this year there are 86 musicians because some of the 74 acts are duos. Garofalo has been in special events for the past 12 years and has seen the growth of the busker program. "The first year we had eight performers at eight stations. Today we have 86 musicians performing at 25 stations." The musicians are on a 3 day rotating schedule. They perform three days at one station in the morning, afternoon or evening and then move on to the next station in their rotation. The musicians do not get a pay cheque, they are however allowed to receive donations. They also do not get a free ride on the TTC. Each of the 74 acts also have to pay $150 a year for the privilege of performing. "We get calls from the public to see if musicians can be hired for private functions. We can help the public with those requests only if the performer has given permission to have their phone numbers released." Getting a spot with the TTC's busker program is not an easy task. The application process begins on May 21 this year. The cut off point for those applications is June 25. Only the first 175 will get a call to audition.

KJ Mullins

TTC musicans perform in subway stations across Toronto.

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This year the auditions will be held August 20 and 21 during the first weekend of the Canadian Exhibition. The performers will be judged by members of the music industry looking for stage presence, entertainment value and their performance. "This year the public will be able to see the auditions over the first weekend of the Ex. The top 74 acts and one alternative will be offered a position for the year beginning on October 8, 2010 and ending on October 7, 2011." The winners pay a $150 for a license to perform for the riders of the TTC. "The music speaks for itself. They create an ambiance. The public finds the buskers to be very uplifting," Garofalo added.

KJ Mullins

TTC musicans perform in subway stations across Toronto.

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