Allegro
Currently Browsing: May, 2001
L.A. Meeting on Film Scoring Focuses on Strategic Planning
A meeting called by the AFM and focusing on a strategic approach to contract issues and collective bargaining brought together representatives from the AFM, the Recording Musicians Association (RMA) and nearly a dozen AFM locals from across the United States
Love,Janis Producers Fire Two Musicians for Being Union Members
Local 802 was in the midst of a battle with the producers of an off-Broadway show called Love,Janis, as this issue went to press. At least two musicians who had been told they were hired for the show were later
Musicians Collect Over $4,000 for Cancellation of Nonunion Session
Shining A Light On Dark Dates
Local 802 collected more than $4,000 for musicians when a nonunion recording session for a signatory employer was cancelled abruptly, after the union made it clear that the session must be done under contract. The settlement was among the most
Bocelli Tour Uses Union Orchestra
INS Refuses Visas for Imported Backup Orchestra
Promoters of a recent Andrea Bocelli tour were forced to hire U.S. musicians after the INS rejected their visa application for an imported backup orchestra, in this case a group called the “Russian Federal Symphony Orchestra.” The Immigration and Naturalization
Two Opera Companies Reach Agreements with 802
Local 802 has signed a collective bargaining agreement with the Henry Street Chamber Opera, a new opera company based at the Henry Street Settlement. Millennial Arts Production has also reached agreement on a first collective bargaining agreement, as well as
Musicians Try to Change the Mix on Latin Radio
"Latin Music is Really the Pulse of New York City"
When Tito Puente passed away last June, listeners of La Mega – one of the premier Latin radio stations in New York – might have expected some sort of tribute show. Puente, a six-time Grammy winner, had helped to define
Communication Network Being Built in Recording Field
As Local 802 continues its campaign to “Shine a Light on Dark Dates,” the New Organizing Department has been recruiting musicians to volunteer to become communication liaisons. So far, about 17 musicians have agreed to keep at least five of
Freelance Concert Negotiations Update
Preparations have been under way since December for the negotiation of the 12 major freelance symphony orchestra contracts, which will set industry-wide freelance concert scales. The orchestras, which together employ more than 500 musicians, include American Composers Orchestra, American Symphony
Unions and Tenants Unite To Combat Housing Crisis
The New York State Tenants and Neighbors Coalition, a 26-year-old statewide organization of 15,000 individual tenants and 200 member organizations, and representatives of more than 20 unions, met in the 802 Club Room on March 8 to begin discussions on
New York State & North East Region Conference Report
The New York State Conference of Musicians and the North East Regional Conference held a joint session in Schenectady, N.Y., from March 23-25. In attendance as delegates from Local 802 were President Bill Moriarity, Financial Vice-President Tina Hafemeister and Recording
Entertainment Industry Health Care Coalition To Lobby for COBRA Subsidy
Albany Lobby Day Is Planned For May 8th
Local 802 members will have an opportunity to campaign for expanded health insurance coverage for entertainment industry workers on May 8, by taking part in a lobby day in Albany. The trip is being organized by the coalition of performing
President’s Report
Phil Sipser: 1918-2001
Phil Sipser passed away on the morning of March 31, after suffering for a lengthy period of time from respiratory and heart ailments. He had served as legal counsel to the Local 802 rank-and-file Theatre Committee for the 1975 negotiation,
The Writers Guild Negotiations: Where Things Stand
Guest Commentary
You’ve undoubtedly heard a lot about the status of negotiations between the Writers Guild and the studios and networks. I appreciate this opportunity to let members of Local 802 know where things stand – what the companies are demanding in
The Musicians’ Voice
A MESSAGE FROM COUNTERPOINT The editors of Counterpoint requested that the following letter, addressed to President Bill Moriarity, also appear in Allegro because it touches on issues of concern to our entire membership. It is clear that we share many
Legislative Update
PAYCHECK DECEPTION FIGHT MAYOR VETOES SWEATSHOP BILL NYS AFL-CIO CREATES PROCUREMENT TASK FORCE DEMAND 0% RENT INCREASES! PAYCHECK DECEPTION FIGHT Once again, so-called “paycheck protection” legislation has been introduced on the federal level, and the AFL-CIO has mobilized union activists
A Word of Thanks – and Farewell
After six years of working at Local 802, I have decided to take another job as Organizing Director of Communications Workers Local 1034 in New Jersey. Over these years I have had the great joy of working alongside, and fighting
Caring for Your Aging Parents
Musicians' Assistance Program
In 1900, only one out of four Americans lived beyond age 65. Today three out of four of us can expect to live to that age. As a result, today’s adults in their 40s and 50s are the first generation
Chinese Medicine and the Musician
2001 Health Care Supplement
This year’s Health Supplement focuses on alternative medicine – specifically, on the value of Chinese medicine, nutrition and biofeedback to musicians. The authors of two articles are 802 members who have developed careers in health care. Trumpet player Greg Ruvolo
Nutrition and the Musician
2001 Health Care Supplement
This year’s Health Supplement focuses on alternative medicine – specifically, on the value of Chinese medicine, nutrition and biofeedback to musicians. The authors of two articles are 802 members who have developed careers in health care. Guitarist Robbie Kirshoff, a
What Is Biofeedback?
2001 Health Care Supplement
Biofeedback is a technique that can be effective in reducing stress and performance anxiety, improving interpersonal skills and overcoming phobias. Awareness of its potential in helping artists achieve peak performance is growing, and there are now a number of practitioners
Musicians With Dystonia: A First Year Report
2001 Health Care Supplement
Musicians With Dystonia was founded last year to raise awareness of focal dystonia in the musical and general community, offer practical support to musicians afflicted with the condition, and raise money to support research into this motor control disease, which
Participants Still Needed For Glaucoma Study
Last year doctors at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary launched an important study to determine how common glaucoma is among brass players, and to identify musicians who had glaucoma so they could be treated before developing significant visual
Executive Board Minutes
February 20, 2001 -- February 27, 2001
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2001 Meeting called to order at 11:30 a.m. Present: Recording Vice-President Price, Financial Vice-President Hafemeister, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Landolfi, Reynolds, Rohdin, Shankin and Weiss, Assistant to the President Dennison, Assistant Director Lennon, Jazz Advisory
Bill Crow’s Band Room
My wife and I flew to Florida for a week last February, taking advantage of a low fare offered by Spirit Airlines. When the plane arrived at La Guardia from Detroit and discharged its passengers, the pilot reported a mechanical