FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monday, April 22, 2019

                                                                                                                              Contact:

                                                                                                                              Maria DiPasquale / Local 802 AFM

mdipasquale@local802afm.org / 212-245-4802 ext. 197

Local 802 AFM Theater Musicians Launch “Musicians of Broadway” Website

NEW YORK, NY – April 22, 2019 – The musicians who perform in Broadway productions have launched “Musicians of Broadway,” a new website telling the stories of the union music professionals who bring theater to life in New York City. The website is available to the public at www.musiciansofbroadway.com.

There are almost 10,000 musical theater performances on Broadway every year. The 1,200 musicians working on these shows play a crucial role in bringing them to life. Because these musicians are not always center stage, with many playing from back rooms and closed pits, audiences are sometimes unaware of their presence and the important contributions musicians make to every live performance.

Musicians of Broadway was created with the intention of providing a way for the public to learn more about these talented creative professionals. Using these new tools, the musicians’ goal is to connect with Broadway audiences, tourists, supporters of the arts, and their own community right here in New York. Most importantly, Broadway musicians are excited for an opportunity to celebrate the lives and work of the exceptional individuals who are the Musicians of Broadway.

The website’s initial launch includes feature profiles on the bands of both King Kong and Come From Away, including behind-the-scene photos and insights from musicians of each orchestra about the complicated work that goes into each performance. The first features on individual musicians highlight Dave Roth, King Kong percussionist and founder of the Broadway Alzheimer’s iPod Drive; Sita Chay, Broadway violinist and Latin GRAMMY winner; George Farmer, Ain’t Too Proud bassist; Dave Phillips, Book of Mormon bassist and farmer at the Bronxville Giving Garden; Jon Epcar, Mean Girls drummer; and Melissa Tong, Ain’t Too Proud violinist.

All the talented musicians who perform on Broadway are members of the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 AFM. The Musicians of Broadway website is created and maintained by Broadway musicians, spearheaded by Pete Donovan, King Kong bassist and Local 802 Executive Board member; Monica Davis, Mean Girls violinist/violist and Local 802 Executive Board member; and Shelagh Abate, Frozen French horn player. The Musicians of Broadway website will grow and expand as the musicians continue to share stories of Broadway orchestras and members of their community. The Musicians of Broadway can be followed at www.musiciansofbroadway.com, on Twitter @musicians_bway, on Instagram at @musiciansofbroadway, and on Facebook at Musicians of Broadway.

About Local 802, AFM

The Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 American Federation of Musicians represents over 7,500 highly-skilled musicians who drive New York City’s thriving cultural and tourism economy, which brings over 58 million visitors each year. Its members – who perform on Broadway, at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Radio City, on late night TV shows and in other televised bands, as well as in hotels, clubs, festivals and venues across NYC – are protected by collective bargaining agreements ensuring proper classification, fair treatment and a living wage. www.local802afm.org

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