Midtown Music - 'Ensemble in Residence' Application

JavaScript isn't enabled in your browser, so this file can't be opened. Enable and reload.

The 34th Street Partnership seeks New York City-based music bands to join our roster of 'Ensembles in Residence' for our 2023 Midtown Music program.

Building on the success of the 2022 program which brought over 300 performances to Midtown, we are seeking to activate public spaces throughout the 34th Street district with daily live music. Midtown Music aims to welcome people from all over the city, and the world, with several hundred live performances a year presented by multiple resident ensembles. We are looking for bands who represent New York City and are interested in a long-term partnership to be Ambassadors for one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world!

We are seeking House Bands for 'day-of-the-week' residencies - each ensemble will be given a regular weekly slot, playing two same-day shows which rotate throughout various outdoor stages within the 34th Street district, including Greeley Plaza, and Herald Square – outside the iconic original Macy’s! New this year - Ensembles will also be invited to participate in the 'Midtown Music at Bryant Park' series.

The 34th Street Partnership helps manage, program and maintain 31 busy blocks in the heart of Manhattan. A bustling office district, the area is a gateway to the city for visitors from New Jersey, Long Island, and the entire eastern seaboard. It’s a magnet for tourists and fans of music and sports and of course, it is one of the greatest shopping districts in New York!

We are looking for ensembles with the following characteristics:
• Available 1 consistent day per week, for an extended engagement
• Five-piece or smaller, with preference for ensembles without drums.
• Preferably acoustic – audible on a busy New York street or plaza without electrical power
• Ambulatory – set-up and break down quickly in more than one location a day.
• Engaging – have the ability to captivate an itinerant audience.

This is an excellent platform for emerging or established acts alike - to grow and develop as a group, to workshop new concepts and material, or to simply share a passion for live music with an audience of over 200,000 spectators annually.

34th Street Partnership will provide all permits and permissions, plus a dedicated on-site House Manager. House Bands will also be paid a weekly fee, determined by the ensemble size.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend a live audition and interview in the 34th Street District.

To apply, please answer the questions below and supply the requested materials!

Email *

Ensemble name: *

Ensemble Website: *

Contact name:

Contact phone number:

Ensemble Social media (Facebook, Instagram etc):

Ensemble size: *

Solo artist

2-piece

3-piece

4-piece

5-piece

Other:

Instrumentation: *

Describe your project or ensemble in 140 characters or fewer: *

Tell us what your band sounds like with words, rather than music! Describe your style, repertoire, genre, vibe, influences, (if any in particular)? *

Drop some names! Which specific musicians, bands or eras (if any) are you particularly inspired to emulate, and why? *

Let's get to know you before we hear you! Provide a brief, two sentence biography of each of your core band members *

Rep yourself! What was your band's most memorable performance to date and why? *

The 34th Street District welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors daily. In what way does your band represent New York City? What would make you good ambassadors for Midtown? *

This engagement could run for many weeks or months, How do you propose to keep performances fresh and interesting for both audience and performers over the course of an extended run? *

We ain't looking for no fling! In what way is a long term commitment such as this an exciting opportunity? *

Imagine your ensemble as a 'pot luck' or buffet dinner - what dishes or cuisines would be on offer? What ingredients would be featured, and why? *

Please provide a link to a place where we can stream recordings or videos of your work - SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Vimeo, a personal or band website, for example. *

Finally, how did you hear about this opportunity?

Send me a copy of my responses.

Submit

Clear form

Never submit passwords through Google Forms.

reCAPTCHA

Privacy Terms

This content is neither created nor endorsed by Google. Report Abuse - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy

Forms