Allegro
Currently Browsing: March, 2004
President’s Report
Unplugging the Virtual Orchestra Machine
On Feb. 6, Local 802 achieved an unprecedented agreement with the Opera Company of Brooklyn (OCB) that bans the use of the virtual orchestra machine and commits the company to use only live musicians in all future productions. In the
Under the Big Top, A Union Band
Big Apple Circus Wins 802 Contract
Send in the clowns! And send in the union musicians! The Big Apple Circus musicians ratified their first Local 802 contract on Feb. 4, the culmination of an organizing effort that began last November. The circus hires eight musicians, including
More Musicians, Better Reviews
When Broadway Ups the Minimums, Critics Take Notice
Since the conclusion of the Broadway strike last spring, there have been two developments that point to the centrality of the live musical experience in the theatre. One is the fact that five shows have come in well above the
Those Who Can, Teach
Jazz Education Conference Meets the Big Apple
The 31st annual International Association for Jazz Education Conference was held in New York on Jan. 21-24, with events centered in Midtown at both the Hilton and Sheraton Hotels — and, for the first time, a jam session at Local
Ninety-Year-Old Virtuoso Gigging Strong
Ninety-year-old woodwind virtuoso Al Gallodoro has had a storied career that virtually spans the history of modern American music. Best known for his work as alto saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet soloist with Paul Whiteman, on recordings and as a
Radio Ads Kick Off Live Music Campaign
(The following is the text of a radio ad that ran on 1010 WINS during the month of February, as part of 802’s expanding live music public awareness campaign.) “Hello, I’m David Lennon, president of Local 802, the New York
Tax Tips for Musicians: Tax Year 2003
Each year, as the tax season approaches, Allegro publishes these tax tips provided by Local 802’s accounting firm, Gould,Kobrick & Schlapp P.C. OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS The Jobs and Growth Act of 2003 contains a number of important tax breaks for
The Future of Rent Regulation
New Yorkers have benefited from the protections of rent and eviction protection laws, in various forms, for 61 years. But because of legislative changes during the past decade, rent control and rent stabilization will soon be a distant memory. That
The First Lady of Jazz
An Interview with Toshiko Akiyoshi
“Toshiko Akiyoshi is the first woman in jazz history ever to compose and arrange an entire library of music and organize her own orchestra to interpret it.” — Los Angeles Times Toshiko Akiyoshi, born in Manchuria, began her piano training
“Issues Affecting Women in the Professional Music Scene”
The Beat on the Street
What are the biggest issues affecting women in the professional music scene? Below is a sampling of responses from both women and men. WOMEN RESPOND I think that most of the issues for women are the same as for men
“What’s It Like Being a Mother And a Musician?”
The Beat on the Street
I guess I’ve always considered it to be a blessing, to be able to have time to spend with my kids during the day and — especially when they were little — for me to be able to get out
Women’s Struggles and Triumphs
Guest Commentary
I was extremely flattered to be invited by Local 802 to write a piece for the Women’s History Month issue of Allegro. In preparation for this piece, I began to reflect on both the significant gains in equal rights made
Pregnancy Discrimination: What Every Woman Should Know
Local 802 Legal Corner
In three of my columns last year (July/August, October and November) I wrote about employment discrimination. But there is one form of employment discrimination which I had not fully explored in those articles which is of particular relevance to women:
There’s No Place Like Home…
Musicians' Assistance Program
“Making it” in New York City as a musician can be very challenging. Between practicing, auditioning, working, and trying to earn enough money to pay your bills, it is often near impossible. For many, a large portion of income must
Remo Donates Drum Set
In January, Remo Inc. donated a drum set to Local 802 and made a second set available at a greatly reduced price. The sets are two models from Remo’s new Gold Crown series. One set is the Be Bop model.
The Musicians’ Voice
The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. The views expressed here do not express the views of Local 802. Please keep all letters to 300 words and send them to Allegro, c/o
Legislative Update
REGISTERING TO VOTE HAS CHANGED FROM MORE PAY TO NO PAY STOP OVERTIME PAYCUTS ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR A TAX CREDIT? REGISTERING TO VOTE HAS CHANGED Voter registration forms have added new identification requirements. Currently, if you need to register
Negotiations Roundup
OFF BROADWAY All musicians in the following theatrical agreements have identity with the product for at least three years following the termination of the show. Health benefits are capped at $7.25 per call and $58 per week per musician. Pension
Grievance Corner
NEW YORK POPS Local 802 and the New York Pops management have settled a recent grievance with regard to personal days. Three Pops members were denied their request to take a personal day for a rehearsal even though their requests
Executive Board Minutes
December 30, 2003 -- January 27, 2004
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2003 Meeting called to order at 11:25 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Landolfi, Rohdin, Shankin, Weiss, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Assistant Director Lennon. Local 802
Bill Crow’s Band Room
Bill Elton saw a story in one of my recent columns about his old trombone section mate Tommy Mitchell, which reminded him of this one: Bill and Tommy were playing a six-week gig at the Statler Hotel with Tex Beneke’s