BART Hosts “Bach in the Subways” Event in Berkeley
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system is inviting local musicians to participate in the “Bach in the Subways” performance to honor the legendary German musician Johann Sebastian Bach and his enduring music. The event, which runs from March 21st to March 31st, kicked off on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Berkeley’s downtown station.
Children from the Junior Bach group showcased their musical talents by playing violin, piano, recorder, and cello under the rotunda. Musicians of all ages are welcome to sign up to perform, with BART spokesperson Anna Duckworth stating, “We will closely monitor any requests we receive.”
According to BART’s website, the inclusion of music in stations and hosting more events within the system is part of a strategy to enhance the overall customer experience and add vitality to the stations.
Musicians interested in participating can register at bachinthesubways.org/register-a-performance/ and secure a free performance license from BART at bartca.portal.opengov.com.
Audience members are not required to tip, and commuters traveling around the Bay Area can enjoy the music in designated areas within select stations. To stay updated on the performance schedule, visit bachinthesubways.org/san-francisco/.
March 31 marks the 339th anniversary of Bach’s birth, and the “Bach in the Subways” event is part of the international commemoration of the composer. Bach’s extensive body of work has stood the test of time and continues to be highly regarded by music lovers worldwide.
The “Bach in the Subways” event was initiated by New York musician Dale Henderson in 2010 and has since expanded to include subway stations and public spaces in 150 cities across 40 countries.
Henderson remarked, “When people start playing Bach’s music, they have a special look on their face that I call the Bach Face. I think his music has an uncanny ability to captivate people and engage them. It ties them together like no other composer.”
He added, “Suddenly, classical musicians could perform in an environment without any constraints of classical music form. It is just a very pure way to connect with the audience and communicate.”
To be part of this musical celebration and experience the magic of Bach’s music, don’t miss out on the remaining performances taking place throughout the week.