The STM is looking for star musicians The métro is a big stage that only your talent can fill

Press release

Montréal, November 12, 2012   The second edition of the Étoiles du métro program will take flight next January. The STM and the Regroupement des musiciens du métro de Montréal (RMMM are now searching for musicians who wish to share their talent with Montrealers who transit through the métro network every day.

The Étoiles du métro program auditions are open to all musicians, amateurs and professionals who dream of performing before thousands of people. Interested musicians must register before November 26 at musimetromontreal.org. Auditions will be held on November 28, 29, and 30 at ARTVstudio located right in the heart of Place des Arts, between salle Wilfrid-Pelletier and the Maison symphonique de Montréal. Once registered, musicians will receive the date and time of their audition call. Three evaluators from the Montréal music scene will conduct these auditions.

Advantages of being an Étoile du métro performer

Selected musicians will be able to perform under the four harps permanently designated for the Étoiles du métro program and reserved exclusively for star musicians. These locations can be found either in Berri-UQAM métro station (Saint-Denis exit), Place-des-Arts (near the Frédéric Back mural), Jean-Talon (lower level), and Laurier (Laurier exit). Musicians who have been chosen will each have their moment to shine in these locations according to a reservation calendar of scheduled hours established by the RMMM. As much as possible, the schedule will take into account the availability of participants. Every musician must agree to dedicate a minimum of six hours a week of his own time to perform in the métro network. Star musicians will each receive their own promotional banner with their respective stage names to be installed on the harp and star sign before their performance.

Beyond their métro performances, Étoiles musicians will also have the chance to be heard in outdoor venues within the many activities organized throughout the year in partnership with the STM. In addition, star musicians will be selected every month to perform at the ARTVstudio.

The Étoiles du métro program aims to showcase métro artists by offering them notoriety and promotional support. Management of artistic performances is under RMMM’s supervision. This initiative set to improve the customer experience aims to enrich the musical repertory interpreted in the métro and boost the career of talented musicians.

Audition costs are $25 for RMMM members and $40 for non-members. If chosen, non-RMMM members will have to acquire a membership card at the cost of $60 per year, without having to go through regular RMMM auditions. The Regroupement des musiciens du métro (RMMM) is a non-profit organization that solely represents the artistic interests of its members in good standing who perform on a regular or occasional basis in one or many métro stations. The RMMM also ensures that members respect STM regulations regarding customer relations, workers and retailers in the métro in order to create a harmonious and respectful environment for all.

As a partner, the ARTV television chain is pleased to be associated with Étoiles du métro auditions and encourage young local musical talent. By setting up auditions in their own ARTVstudio space dedicated to culture, this specialized chain is proud to contribute to this unique initiative directly aligned with its mandate to broadcast arts and culture while realizing its profound ambition for art to take flight.

It should be pointed out that the STM has 55 free locations available to musicians in the métro network. Harp-shaped signs posted on the walls identify these locations. Except for the four designated harp signs reserved for the Étoiles du métro program, musicians can share at their discretion performance hours.

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