Allegro
‘Why we joined the union’
Volume 111, No. 3March, 2011
 Ralph Bowen |
Why did I join Local 802? To be part of a membership which includes some of the greatest musicians in the world. My musical goal in New York City is to perform with Local 802’s fine musicians and composers. My principal instrument is saxophone: tenor, alto and soprano.
Ralph Bowen
Why did I join Local 802? I had recently been given a sub position as first guitar on the show “Rock of Ages” and was hired to be guitarist and music director for another show hopefully coming in the spring to NYC. I was informed of all the great benefits of the union and the need to join, so I did. My musical goal in New York City is to enjoy some more positions in Broadway shows. I got my most recent gig through word of mouth. They found me because I was previously the guitarist for rock legend Lita Ford and I had made friends with Joel Hoekstra who is the main guitarist for the show. My principal instrument is guitar.
Thomas Cavanagh
I’ve rejoined the union because a few union jobs have come my way, as well as some new opportunities. My musical goals are to constantly learn and grow as a musician, including taking more lessons from many of the various masters here in NYC. I want to move people whenever I perform. My most recent gig, as always, was from somebody seeing me in a local club, and passing my name along. I play upright and electric basses, and sing a little.
Gregory M. Jones
Why did I join Local 802? Prior to moving to New York, I was a music teacher in two districts in western Pennsylvania for several years and was a member of AFM Local 41. I was very actively involved as a woodwind musician for musicals at area and regional high schools, universities, church and community theaters, and summerstock theater, including productions with the Mountain Playhouse and Totem Pole Playhouse. I’m currently a DMA student at Manhattan School of Music, studying classical saxophone with Dr. Paul Cohen. I’m also the alto saxophonist of the Manhattan Saxophone Quartet and the adjunct professor of saxophone at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania and woodwind artist-in-residence at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in Hagerstown, Maryland. My musical goals in the city are threefold: 1) to finish my doctoral degree, 2) to secure teaching positions in or near the city, and 3) to gig Broadway shows. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to play a Broadway show; I’ve worked very hard to hone my doubling and tripling skills since high school and I am thrilled at the opportunities here in the city. I know musicians pay their dues to get in pits, but I’ve played that game in the Pittsburgh area and have reaped the rewards of patience and networking! I got my most recent gig through an invitation to perform at the annual U.S. Navy-sponsored Saxophone Symposium at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. My principal instrument is saxophone (soprano through baritone). I also play flute/piccolo and clarinet/bass clarinet. I began playing oboe a few years ago for a production of “Merrily We Roll Along.”
Aaron T. Patterson
Why did I join Local 802? I felt it was my obligation. My musical goal in New York City is to compose and play music. I mainly write for TV and film. I got my most recent gig through people I know at various music production houses around the world. My principal instrument is guitar.
Naren Rauch
Why did I join Local 802? Because I’ve done a lot of Music Performance Trust Fund gigs in the past and wanted to start doing them again. My musical goal in New York City is to be a working musical artist. I work with a classic soul/rock & roll oldies band doing the music of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, performing Motown, music of the Stylistics, classic rock, standards and Broadway music. I am primarily a singer, but I accompany myself on guitar.
Lawrence Rush