The 2003 AFM Convention took some important steps towards solving the organization’s ongoing funding problems, but not without difficult debate and compromise that came in the very last hours of the three-day meeting. Besides dealing with finances, the other convention

Local 802’s Executive Board has submitted a bylaw that would increase both annual dues and work dues and will be voted on at the Oct. 21 membership meeting. The proposed bylaw includes increases in per capita annual dues of $2

Broadway producers are arming themselves for an upcoming showdown with Local 802. Producers believe their weapon, a device dubbed the “Virtual Orchestra” (VO), will finally give them the upper hand in cutting and potentially eliminating live musicians in the theatre.

As far back as the 1970’s, when Gerald Schoenfeld began threatening Local 802 with the Moog synthesizer if the union struck over minimums, producers have been seeking some mechanical device to replace live musicians. In 2003 they believed they had

Chalk up another victory for teachers. Despite efforts to thwart them, teaching artists at the Metropolitan Opera Guild have won the right to organize. The National Labor Relations Board ruled on Sept. 22 that Guild teaching artists were employees –

Musicians touring with the New York Stage Originals’ production of Scrooge: The Musical got more than they were expecting from their seasonal gig. The show is an original creation of composer and producer Philip Stern. For several holiday seasons, Stern

When the orchestra assembled for this year’s Radio City Christmas Spectacular, there was an uninvited guest in the band. Brett Sommer and Music Arts Technology had installed a “virtual orchestra” setup that included a computer and synth programmed to play

At the AFM Convention in June, delegates voted on an emergency financial package to keep the union strong. At the same time, Local 802 is proposing its own dues increase. What are the main dues increases from the AFM? AFM

Even as Local 802 and Broadway producers were locked in a bitter dispute, the lights were shining brighter Off Broadway. Local 802 and four nonprofit Off Broadway companies – representing nine theatres – have signed an agreement covering performances, rehearsals

Allegro asked musicians what they think of the state of the single engagement industry. The club date industry today is not like it was 10 years ago. A lot of couples are hiring DJ’s as opposed to wedding bands. –Tammy

IAJE CONFERENCE The 30th annual International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) conference was held in Toronto on Jan. 8-11. The weather was seasonably cold and the conference arranged for shuttles between the conference hall and the Royal York, the two

I want to fight against the myth that we teaching artists have to accept low pay, no say and a poverty mentality just because we are devoted to teaching art. These and other related myths can sometimes be surprisingly resistant

A new contract introduced by the AFM and approved by the pension fund will allow bandleaders to receive pension contributions – even if they are not incorporated. For years, members have known that they cannot pay into their own pension

A new bill that provides state funds to pay for a portion of entertainers’ COBRA payments has passed the State Legislature and is now awaiting Governor Pataki’s signature. COBRA – the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act – is a federal

The Anne Walker Scholarship Fund has awarded four scholarships for the coming academic year, to help 802 members or their children pursue studies in music. Wynne Bennett is the daughter of 802 member Ron Bennett. She just finished her first

As Allegro went to press, the final memorandum of agreement between Local 802 and the League was still being finalized. As soon as it is completed and reviewed by the negotiating committee, the union will schedule a ratification meeting. All

Empyreal Strings has signed a recognition agreement with Local 802, a victory that is part of a larger campaign to organize club date strings employers. Arlene LaPadura, director and representative for Empyreal Strings, signed the agreement for the owner of

The U.S. Secret Service, assisted by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), conducted a raid on a music-piracy facility Dec. 9 in New York, culminating in what the trade group describes as the largest ever seizure in the U.S.

Local 802 has signed off with several Jewish single engagement employers on a new collective bargaining agreement. Representatives from Neshoma, Neginah, Barock and Nafshenu negotiated with Senior Business Rep Peter Voccola and an eight-member team of musicians. Both sides agreed

The membership meeting to be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 3 p.m. in the Club Room will consider six bylaw amendments. One was submitted by the Local 802 Executive Board and five were submitted by Local 802 members, with

As I write this, ratification of the new Broadway terms and conditions has not yet taken place. These terms and conditions arrived after a very difficult fight. As many know, the union was forced to consider significant lowering of the

The AFM Pension Fund – the fund that 802 musicians participate in – is changing. Read the details of the pension changes here, along with the President’s Report. But first, check out this story which explains how the fund works

Through Local 802’s efforts, the Long Island Philharmonic has been approved for a wage subsidy contract by the Consortium for Worker Education, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 to provide schooling, training and employment services for workers in New York.

Recent recording dates in mid-November that were cancelled without sufficient notice stiffed 45 musicians – including instrumentalists, arrangers and copyists – for a total of $40,000, including benefits. The loss reinforced 802’s longstanding policy to get an advance deposit from

For several months now the New York City Central Labor Council and Local 802 have been discussing the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site and the role that the cultural institutions and entertainment businesses might ultimately play in that

For the six months ended June 30, 2003, Local 802 enjoyed a gain of $52,209, compared with a loss of $53,376 reported for the comparable period of 2002. (The audited financial statements for the year appear on pages 16-17 of

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2002, Local 802 incurred a loss of $348,570, compared with a loss of $90,460 reported for 2001. (The audited financial statements for the year appear on pages 14-15 of the May 2003 Allegro.) The

Printed at right is the notification distributed by the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund regarding pension benefits cuts that will become effective Jan. 1, 2004. The trustees of the fund took these actions, at the recommendation of

At the last Sound Agreement negotiations, Local 802 and the AFM made it clear that the “Big Five” record labels were missing critical information from hundreds of recording reports making it difficult for the union to enforce the contract. The

This commentary first appeared on the Web site of the AFL-CIO. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics April jobs report confirmed what millions of U.S. workers know all-too well: The nation’s job crisis is bleak and getting bleaker. Some 8.8

(This commentary was submitted by the same organization that purchased the advertisement on page 9 of the October 2003 Allegro.) Some Local 802 members work enough union jobs to get on the union’s health plan. But for those who don’t

In several memos to officers and MPTF supervisors across the country Trustee Noel Berman has given early notice that the royalty and audit receipts for MPTF for 2003 are, to use his words, “down precipitously – well over $2 million.”

At its June 11 meeting, the Trustees of the Local 802 Health Benefits Fund modified the self-pay (COBRA) continuation coverage language in the HBP Summary Plan Description as follows: For Plan A participants, if you lose eligibility due to insufficient

On Oct. 21, members voted to ratify an increase in annual dues and work dues by an overwhelming majority (see story here). The increase has set the stage for a new administration to take office with some financial security and

As I write this, Broadway negotiations are tentatively scheduled to begin in late December or early January. The Broadway Theatre Committee, made up of representatives from each show, has been working for more than a year and a half to

New York Jobs with Justice is a dynamic coalition of New York City labor, community, student and faith groups that organizes to transform our communities and workplaces. We take concrete action to level the playing field by building power for

Members who don’t qualify for the Local 802 health plan, take heart! There is an expanded clinic for uninsured musicians. The Actors’ Fund – which sponsors the Musicians’ Assistance Program – has announced a new partnership with New York-Presbyterian Hospital

One of the most important votes of 2003 will be cast not in Congress or in voting booths across the country but at the Federal Communications Commission. At stake is how TV, radio, newspapers and the Internet will look in

Dithering, dawdling, delaying, and deferring: we all procrastinate sometimes. Who hasn’t put off doing the laundry for just one more day? Sometimes we really do need just a little more time to think something over before taking action. And sometimes

In response to the current negative economic environment that has impacted many symphony orchestras, the AFM held a one-day conference for local officers and symphonic musicians in Chicago on July 21. In attendance were approximately 31 musicians representing 25 orchestras

In my last column for Allegro I focussed on member services that Local 802 offers, their availability and the means to access them. In this article I’d like to comment on the flow of information: from outside the union to

In April’s column I discussed how to process a claim for money owed through the Small Claims Division of the New York Civil Court, when the amount due is less than $3,000. Let’s now assume that you have successfully navigated

Click here for Part I and Part II There are several published decisions involving employment discrimination claims brought by professional musicians which serve as interesting illustrations of the principles of employment law set forth in my last article. In this

OUT-OF-TOWN HEALTH COVERAGE In the October 2002 Allegro, Local 802 reported a possible change in its Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), which is currently MagnaCare. Members who are on Plan A or Plan B have been able to see a MagnaCare

By virtue of the Copyright Act, creators of original artistic or literary works are granted a limited monopoly in the use of their works. Through this limited monopoly, the author has the sole right for a period to time to

If you’re uninsured and rely on gigs and other projects to earn a living, the cost of health insurance is probably a very central concern. With about one-third of Americans now working in flexible or mobile jobs, musicians and other

Last month in this column we ended by asking the question, “Why do we often give ourselves unhelpful messages when we’re practicing?” To answer this, we could look at our early role models. Did people around you laugh, shrug it

We all know about SARS, but that is only the latest in a long list of viral-based diseases that have affected the human race. Others include the common cold, flu, warts, measles, bronchitis, chickenpox, mononucleosis, mumps, shingles, sore throat, hepatitis,

On Jan. 13, the AFM convened a meeting in Chicago to address issues that have arisen over symphonic recordings, radio broadcasts, television broadcasts, internet activity and the appropriate payment of recorded archival material that may be released on a commercial

America’s campaign finance system is a disgrace. It’s often been called legalized bribery, though you won’t find many politicians who will agree. But few of the pols who consented to be interviewed for “Speaking Freely” had many kind words to

No living musician has walked a straighter line between his art and his activism than Pete Seeger. In the McCarthy era of the 1950’s, Seeger and his group the Weavers were blacklisted for their political activities. During the 60’s, he

To most working musicians, this scenario may be a familiar one: you just finished the gig and the owner of the bar hands you $500 cash. The only problem is, you had agreed to play for $800. Or, maybe you

(This article, submitted by a Local 802 member, contains advice and suggestions intended to improve one’s health and well-being. Local 802 and Allegro offer no endorsement or recommendation regarding the efficacy or safety of any of the remedies suggested, and

The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. Please keep all letters to 300 words and send them to Allegro, c/o Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036, or e-mail

Gloria McCormick Gloria McCormick assumed the duties of Local 802 Health Benefits Plan Administrator in January. McCormick has worked at Local 802 since 1988. She has served as Sick Pay and Hospitalization Fund Administrator, Broadway Payroll Administrator and Executive Secretary.

By the time you read this it will have been one year since I began working as the social worker for the Musicians’ Assistance Program. I wrote my first column in this space about some of the services the MAP

There are times when many of us feel that our performance may not be up to par. Sometimes this feeling only lasts for a performance or two. For others, this may continue for an extended period of time and become

If you think the problem of chemical dependency hasn’t touched your life, stop and look around. According to a conservative estimate by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 20 million Americans are affected by addiction. The music industry

To the Editor: I want 802 members to know what a privilege and pleasure it was to co-chair the AFM’s Joint Law and Finance Committee with your president. Bill Moriarity is so easy to work with and I was able

Stress – both physical and emotional – is certainly not uncommon to musicians. Too much work can cause tension or injury to certain parts of the body. And too little work creates a lot of anxiety. Reiki – a gentle,

Perhaps you’ve heard, or perhaps not, but there’s a new social worker coordinating the services of the Musicians’ Assistance Program on the sixth floor. That’s me! I’d like to introduce myself to you and remind you of some of the

(This article, submitted by a Local 802 member, contains advice and suggestions intended to improve one’s health and well-being. Local 802 and Allegro offer no endorsement or recommendation regarding the efficacy or safety of any of the remedies suggested, and

All good musicians understand the concept of touch. Many of you spend a lifetime trying to blend your body type with your instrument in hopes of finding the nirvana of comfort, sound and ultimate expression – a synchronization of your

WAGE CATEGORY THEATRE SIZE   100-199 Seats 200-299 Seats 300-399 Seats 400-499 Seats Performance Salary (8 or fewer performances per week and including first double) $550.00 $670.00 $750.00 $820.00 Rehearsals (weekly) $600.00 $725.00 $800.00 $900.00 Rehearsals (hourly) $22.50 $27.50 $32.50

LABOR COUNCIL OPPOSED TO CHARTER REVISION REPORT HIGHLIGHTS WORKERS’ WOES ECONOMY FAILS TO PRODUCE JOBS THE EMPLOYEE RIGHT TO CHOOSE ACT IMMIGRANT WORKERS FREEDOM RIDE LABOR COUNCIL OPPOSED TO CHARTER REVISION The Central Labor Council has been advocating against the

In case you haven’t noticed, America’s health care system is falling apart, and policymakers can’t agree on what to do about it. It’s not hard to find signs of its collapse. Nearly every day, there are news reports about: Health

Instruments were stolen from the cars of two separate 802 members around the end of October. If you have any information, including if you see the instruments for sale privately, or in a music or pawn shop, please notify the

I love teaching music. I love it for the way it makes me feel when a student discovers the simple logic of the circle of fifths. I love it for the way a little girl and a middle-aged stockbroker light

(This article, submitted by a Local 802 member, contains advice and suggestions intended to improve one’s health and well-being. Local 802 and Allegro offer no endorsement or recommendation regarding the efficacy or safety of any of the remedies suggested, and

JILLBERN MUSIC The Executive Board has approved – and the bandmembers of Jillbern Music have ratified – a successor agreement with owner Herb Bernstein. Improvements over the previous agreement include a scale increase to $185 from $175 for up to

Arguably one of the greatest contributors to American classical music is jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. Born in Pittsburgh, Mr. Jamal was what some might call a child prodigy. He began serious study at the age of seven under the tutelage

DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM Dance Theatre of Harlem and Local 802 reached agreement on the terms of a new contract in June, just prior to a one-week engagement at the Lincoln Center Festival. The agreement is backdated to the expiration

Following are some of the national boycotts endorsed by the national AFL-CIO. The boycotts were instituted by and are conducted by the unions noted in the descriptions. For more information, check out www.unionlabel.org. BUILDING MATERIALS & TOOLS JET EQUIPMENT &

ATLANTIC CHAMBER SYMPHONY A first-time three-year collective bargaining agreement has been reached with the Atlantic Chamber Symphony. For a number of years, the symphony has consistently filed single engagement contracts for a string of summer concerts upstate. The new contract

Wayne Andre – Trombone Victor Caplain – Piano Frank D’Annolfo – Trombone Florence DuPage – Organ Grover Mitchell – Trombone Frank Ruggieri – Bassoon Wayne Andre Wayne Andre, 71, a trombonist and an 802 member since 1958, died on Aug.

OFF-BROADWAY For all commercial Off Broadway contracts, the following terms are standard unless otherwise indicated. The side musician scale includes a guaranteed first double at 12½ percent (this premium doesn’t pay additional money; it is factored into the base scale).

DON’T BLAME THE PHILHARMONIC!A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH MT. LAUREL CENTERFOUR SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR MUSICIANSA QUESTION OF PROCEDURE DON’T BLAME THE PHILHARMONIC! To the Editor: In her Oct. 10 op-ed piece in the New York Times called “Orchestra for Hire: No

Matt Weiers is a pianist, visual artist and music teacher in Portland, Or. Athump, thump, thumping drum; a bouncing, bounding bass; the stinging chord from a bright guitar. A haunting voice floats from your radio and that sound is born

Abram Loft was the second violinist with the Fine Arts Quartet, one of America’s foremost concert ensembles, from 1954 to 1979. Then he chaired the string department at the Eastman School of Music for eight years, and now holds the

TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2003 Meeting called to order at 11:35 a.m. Present: Recording Vice-President Price, Financial Vice-President Hafemeister, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Reynolds, Shankin and Weiss, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Assistant Director Lennon, Jazz

COUNCIL OVERRIDES GIULIANI VETO OF SWEATSHOP BILL MOURN FOR THE DEAD, FIGHT FOR THE LIVING NEW YORK NEEDS ELECTION REFORM CAMPAIGN FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE CONTINUES COUNCIL OVERRIDES GIULIANI VETO OF SWEATSHOP BILL In a clear victory for the labor movement,

CLUB DATES The Long Island office recently settled grievances against two different employers for not paying musicians. In the first case, an employer who does a small amount of work in the Jewish single engagement field failed to pay a

Harold Ashby – Saxophone Aaron Bell – Bass Morton Bullman – Trombone Benny Carter – Saxophone/Trumpet/Composer/Arranger Joseph Cavallo – Clarinet/Saxophone Steven E. Chubak – Violin Edward Edson – Piano Andy Fitzgerald – Clarinet Ernest A. Giovanelli – Violin Luther Henderson

Charles A. Bellanti – Duovox George Bohn – Alto Sax Carl Bowman – Euphonium/Composer Ruby Braff – Cornet John Crosby – Composer Luis R. Cruz – Guitar Michael Giaramito – Saxophone Robert Gladstone – Bass Nathan Goldstein – Violin Cecil

Edward Bebko – Organ Dave Bowman – Piano Katharine E. Brainard – Cello Al Cappi – Guitar Matt Carnevale – Piano John N. Chryssikos – Violin Peter Compo – Violin/Bass Jack Danisi – Piano Ruth Freeman-Gudeman – Flute Victor Jarowey

What can be said about Peter Jackson’s The Two Towers from a music – or union – perspective? First, the music. That’s easy. Howard Shore’s score is awesome. It’s an old-school, lush, orchestral score with a recognizable main theme that

TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2003 Meeting called to order at 11:25 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Financial Vice-President Hafemeister, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Landolfi, Rohdin, Shankin and Weiss, Controller Bogert, Assistant Director Lennon. Minutes of May

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2003 Meeting called to order at 11:28 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Financial Vice-President Hafemeister, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Gale, Giannini, Reynolds, Shankin and Weiss, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Assistant Director Lennon,

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2003 Meeting called to order at 3:15 p.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Executive Board members Crow, Gale, Giannini, Landolfi, Reynolds, Rohdin and Shankin, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Assistant Director Lennon. Financial Vice-President

Meeting called to order at 1 p.m. Present were Trial Board members Goletz, Hood, Ray, Roberts, Schwartz and Singer. Absent were members Koch, Lambert and Rojas. Case #928. Plaintiff William Dennison appeared before the board, on behalf of Local 802,

Aimed at the intermediate to advanced jazz musician, this book assumes that the reader has a basic familiarity with jazz. The author’s goal is to help musicians improve their perception and conception of musical possibilities. In the course of many

IN DEFENSE OF LOCAL 16 To John Glasel: I read the reprint of your letter to the New York Times in the February Allegro and agree about the ineffectiveness of many AFM locals and the venality they display when they

DICAPO OPERA THEATRE The DiCapo Opera Theatre and 802 have agreed to a new four-year contract that contains across-the-board increases in all major economic categories. The new agreement, which will cover all work until June 19, 2007, contains a nearly

Here are the answers to the Allegro jazz crossword puzzle, created in honor of African American History Month. The puzzle was published in the February 2003 issue, page 16. Congratulations to Richard H. Miller, a pianist and an 802 member

NEW YORK GRAND OPERA Local 802 and New York Grand Opera reached a one-year agreement that covers all work performed at Flushing Town Hall from Sept. 1, 2002 through Aug. 30, 2003. Performance and rehearsal wages were significantly increased. In

Broadway producers’ threats to use “virtual orchestras” (see January 2003 Allegro) is a hot-button issue for musicians. Two out of three letters this month touched on taped or virtual music, while Sig Singer writes about his memories of Mel Rodnon.

Arnold L. Arden – Saxophone Samuel Carmell – Violin Larry Charles – Woodwinds Paul Clement – Cello Adolph Coleman – Violin Richard Dunlap – Trombone Robert G. Fields – Piano Sam Levitan – Bass Thomas E. Parker – Piano Ben

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2003 Meeting called to order at 11:30 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Financial Vice-President Hafemeister, Executive Board members Crow, Gale, Giannini, Reynolds, Rohdin and Shankin, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison. Minutes of Aug.

THEATRICAL READING CONTRACTS “Mambo Kings”: After some back and forth with management, Local 802 reached an agreement with the Mambo Kings Company (Allan Williams, general manager) covering four musicians for the developmental production of “Mambo Kings.” The wages for side

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2002 Meeting called to order at 11:27 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Financial Vice-President Hafemeister, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Landolfi, Rohdin, Shankin and Weiss, Controller Bogert, Assistant Director Lennon. Minutes of Dec.

Louis Adler – Bass Joseph W. Barufaldi – Saxophone Ovid Bastien – Bass Peter Compo – Violin Andrew F. Fitzgerald – Clarinet Ruth Freeman-Gudeman – Flute Ignatius N. Gennusa – Clarinet Charles K. Johnson – Trombone Leo Kinstler – Trumpet

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2002 Meeting called to order at 11:30 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Financial Vice-President Hafemeister, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Giannini, Landolfi, Rohdin, Shankin and Weiss, Assistant to the President Dennison, Assistant Director Lennon. President

Norman (Buddy) Baker – Conductor/Arranger George Barrie – Saxophone Helen Berlin – Violin Joe Carroll – Drums John Cyr – Drums Frank De Marinis – Saxophone Vincent Forchetti – Trombone Bobby Forrester – Piano Max Jaffe – Piano Raymond Kaiser

Meeting called to order at 1 p.m. Present were members Goletz, Hood, Koch, Lambert, Ray, Roberts, Schwartz (Trial Board clerk) and Singer. Member Rojas absent. Case #925: Plaintiff Erwin L. Price, Recording Vice-President, Local 802, appeared before the Board to

Art Baron told me about a club date he played at one of Manhattan’s major hotels. He arrived a bit early, while Tony Sotos and Eddie Montiero were playing the preheat. The hors d’oeuvres tables were groaning with food, and

My friend the late Tommy Mitchell was in the orchestra of one of my first Broadway shows, “The King and I.” He lived nearby in Englewood, New Jersey, but he seemed to have difficulty getting to the theatre with any

When Bobby Day was Fred Waring’s featured banjo player, he often played golf at Waring’s country club in the Delaware Water Gap. It was a favorite hangout of many famous cartoonists and comedians, and Bobby enjoyed their company on the

I played at a jazz festival last September up at Chautauqua Lake, N.Y., an annual event that is put together by Joe Boughton of the Allegheny Jazz Society. Joe is an enthusiastic organizer and always puts together a good program.

Broadway producers aren’t the only ones looking at technology that is designed to replace live musicians. Sam Levine sent me an article from the Washington Post that describes a new device that can be placed in a bugle held by

When my friend Ruby Braff passed away last February, silence came to both his gorgeous cornet playing and his razor sharp tongue. Throughout his life, Ruby went his own way. He taught himself to play, and developed a style all