VOA标准英语2008年-New York's Underground Music Inspires

By Paige Kollock
New York
10 January 2008
 

Millions of people travel through New York City's public transportation systems every day. Amidst the sounds of screeching¹ trains and conductor announcements many of these people hear the sounds of New York's underground music.  Paige Kollock reports.

They pay, they push, they run.

But sometimes, they stop and listen.

These musicians belong to a group called "Music Under New York," but they come from countries as far away as China and Chile.  

Valerie Zhmud is originally from Ukraine, where he was trained in violin. Three days a week, he plays professionally at a restaurant, but sometimes, he plays in Grand Central Station. He says he enjoys the crowds. "I love playing for people and make good feeling for them, and the whole time they say, 'thank you, thank you', so it's really nice," he adds.

The program started in 1985 as part of a wider initiative called "Arts for Transit²." Every year, a panel of judges selects musicians from hundreds of applicants³ who come to audition⁴.  Last year, the judges chose 26 new acts out of 200 applicants.   Lydia Bradshaw works for the New York City Metropolitan⁵ Transit System says that the music enhances the atmosphere.  "It's to encourage the use of mass transit and enhance the environment for commuters," says Bradshaw.

Music Under New York also acts as a point of contact for the musicians, allowing interested parties to get in touch with the musicians and maybe even book them for a show.

Jeremiah Lockwood started playing blues⁷ in the subway at a young age. Now he has a record deal. "It gives you a platform to say anything you want to say. Also, you have this kind of immediate⁸ connection with people. You don't have a captive audience, you have to capture them yourself," he said.

Capturing their dollars may be harder, as busy New Yorkers often rush by. But for those who stop and listen, a great musical experience awaits them.

One commuter⁶ said, "I think it's really cool because it makes me more energized⁹, and it's free by the way.  They're giving so many great [songs] that I've never heard before." It also allows performers to reach an audience who may not come to see them otherwise.

More than 100 musicians are currently participating in the program.  They schedule themselves on a weekly basis at one of 25 designated locations throughout New York City's transit systems.

1 screeching   

v.发出尖叫声( screech的现在分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫

参考例句：

• Monkeys were screeching in the trees. 猴子在树上吱吱地叫着。
• the unedifying sight of the two party leaders screeching at each other 两党党魁狺狺对吠的讨厌情景

2 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

3 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。

4 audition   

n.(对志愿艺人等的)面试(指试读、试唱等)

参考例句：

• I'm going to the audition but I don't expect I'll get a part.我去试音，可并不指望会给我个角色演出。
• At first,they said he was too young,but later they called him for an audition.起初，他们说他太小，但后来他们叫他去试听。

5 metropolitan   

adj.大城市的，大都会的

参考例句：

• Metropolitan buildings become taller than ever.大城市的建筑变得比以前更高。
• Metropolitan residents are used to fast rhythm.大都市的居民习惯于快节奏。

6 commuter   

n.(尤指市郊之间)乘公交车辆上下班者

参考例句：

• Police cordoned off the road and diverted commuter traffic. 警察封锁了道路并分流交通。
• She accidentally stepped on his foot on a crowded commuter train. 她在拥挤的通勤列车上不小心踩到了他的脚。

7 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

8 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

9 energized   

v.给予…精力，能量( energize的过去式和过去分词 )；使通电

参考例句：

• We are energized by love if we put our energy into loving. 如果我们付出能量去表现爱意，爱就会使我们充满活力。 来自辞典例句
• I am completely energized and feeling terrific. 我充满了活力，感觉非常好。 来自辞典例句