Subway musicians must first face the music

The all-female Mariachi Flor de Toloache band auditions before a panel of over 30 judges for Music Under New York in Grand Central Station.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Keith Dargan, left, gets ready to play his vibraphone in front of a panel of judges for Music Under New York in Grand Central Station.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A small crowd gathers to hear musicians audition for Music Under New York in Grand Central Station.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the all-female Mariachi Flor de Toloache band wait to try out for Music Under New York in Grand Central Station.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Accordion player Matt Dallow, originally from Baltimore, prepares to audition for Music Under New York in Grand Central Station.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Members of the all-female band Mariachi Flor de Toloache audition in front of a panel of judges for Music Under New York in Grand Central Station.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Chicken Barn Heroes, a bluegrass trio, audition in front of a panel of judges for Music Under New York in Grand Central Station.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Accordion player Marin Ciotoi, 60, originally from Romania, auditions in front of a panel of judges for Music Under New York in Grand Central Station.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Luke Folger, 27, gets ready to audition in front of a panel of judges for Music Under New York in Grand Central Station. He is a one-man band who plays electronic music.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)