When John Singer got laid off from his job as a music teacher, he decided that a quick fix would be to play in the subway.
So, he, Bridget Kearney and Michael Winograd, who make up the Brooklyn band Xylopholks, auditioned yesterday for a special program that lets musicians play at high-paying subway sites.
Though all three graduated from top musical schools, they wore animal costumes to distinguish themselves from the other groups and musicians who auditioned.
Singer, 26, who plays xylophone and lives in Park Slope, was a skunk. Kearney, a bass player who lives in Ditmas Park, was a pink gorilla. And Winograd, who also lives in Ditmas Park and plays percussion, was a baboon.
“The costumes don’t undermine our music. They make people listen more, smile more — and pay more,” Winograd said.
What Xylopholks auditioned for is Music Under New York, a 22-year-old MTA program.
Anyone can play in the subways as long as they don’t play too loud or impede traffic. But the people chosen for MUNY get a lifetime pass to play at high-profile sites such as Union Square, Penn Station, Grand Central and Times Square.
There are about 100 groups and soloists in the program. Twenty-five will be chosen from the 55 who auditioned yesterday.