Allegro
Currently Browsing: December, 2006
802 Member Elected to Congress
802 member John Hall performs at a house party fundraiser in Carmel, New York, in October. Photo by Suzanne Grossberg. For the first time ever, a Local 802 member has been elected to Congress. Guitarist and singer-songwriter John Hall, a
President’s Report
Going Forward: Building Power in Partnership with the Rank and File
For several decades, as union membership declined as a share of the American workforce, union leaders refused to acknowledge the problem. Union density — the percentage of the workforce that is unionized — was at its highest in the post-World
Major Changes for 802 Health Plan
Sharp Rise in Health Costs is Reason for Cuts
Because of a projected shortfall in funds that threatens the long-term viability of the Local 802 Health Benefits Plan, the plan trustees have been forced to make a number of changes that will go into effect starting Jan. 1. The
How the Grinch Saved Christmas for Musicians
Musicians performing in the show “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” won an agreement that in some ways beats the Broadway contract. Photo by Gary Schoichet. The Grinch may try to steal Christmas, but he gave musicians a great gift this
A New Kind of Agreement for Recording Musicians
On behalf of the Recording Musicians Committee of Local 802, we are pleased to announce that a new video game and interactive media agreement has been approved by the AFM’s International Executive Board. The agreement was approved by an overwhelming
The Present and the Future
New MIME Initiative Takes On Big Goals
What are two ways to strengthen live music? First, bring back music education to the New York City public schools to help grow the next generation of audiences. Second, reach out to current audiences by drawing their attention to the
Earn Health Care By Playing Your Horn
Rebekah Griffin (bass and cello) and Terry Greene II perform at Woodhull Hospital in exchange for their health care. For more information, click here to see this related story. When I first arrived in New York City in the year
Learn While You Earn
Recording Seminar a Success
The first seminar sponsored by the 802 Recording Musicians Committee was held at the union on Oct. 26. Musicians from all over the metropolitan area learned about the terms of the recording contract and discussed working in the recording business.
Flying With Your Instrument
Beat on the Street
What’s the best way to carry your instrument on an airplane? We received more than a hundred replies. Local 802 will be continuing this discussion on 802’s Web site in coming months. CARRY-ON DISPUTE LEADS TO VIOLENCE Valery Ponomarev, 63,
Instruments and Airplanes: Legally Speaking
802 Legal Corner
Recently, several musicians have brought to my attention a problem which probably affects just about every musician who is compelled to travel via air to get to a job. How can they safely stow away their musical instruments while they
CBS Musicians Win Big Settlement
Musicians who recorded the theme for the CBS news program “The Saturday Early Show” just won $173,127.24 in late penalties, thanks to the efforts of Local 802, the AFM, and the employer itself. The seven musicians were due the money
“Liza” Show Keeps on Paying
This past year the whole country saw the re-broadcast of the Liza Minnelli show, “Liza With a Z,” on public broadcasting stations across the country. The show meant something special for the 85 musicians who originally performed on the program
Musicians At Work
2006 Chelsea Halloween Parade
Live music couldn’t scare all of the ghosts away at the 2006 Chelsea Halloween parade in Washington Square Park. Local 802 member Henry Heller sat in on bagpipes with the NYU band. Photos by Walter Karling. From left: Maria Derr,
HELP KERMIT DRISCOLL
Membership Alerts
Last month, we informed Allegro readers that 802 member Kermit Driscoll has very serious late-stage Lyme disease. Fellow musicians are organizing three benefits for him: Dec. 13 at Barbes, 376 Ninth Street (at Sixth Avenue) in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Trumpeter
Classical Musicians Discuss Recording Agreement
On Wednesday, October 18, 2006 this season’s first meeting of the Classical Musicians’ Forum met in the Club Room at Local 802. The topic of discussion was the new Symphony, Opera and Ballet Live Recording Agreement (SOBLRA). Deborah Newmark, Director
Comfort and Joy?
Musicians' Assistance Program
Tis the season to be jolly … or at least that’s what we are told. Nevertheless, many people find that the holiday season brings with it many disappointments and stresses, enhanced by social and commercial pressure to celebrate and feel
Broadway Musicians May Be Owed Money
Membership Alert
Local 802 has a grievance and pending arbitration on behalf of any Broadway matinees performed on Dec. 26, 2005 or Jan. 2, 2006, which were designated federal holidays. The Broadway contract states: “If a performance is shifted to a holiday
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. Letters must be 300 words or less. Send them to Allegro, c/o Local
Negotiations Roundup
Jazz. The Jazz Department recently negotiated three agreements. Michael Davis, the proprietor of Hip Bone Music, agreed to a two-year contract beginning Sept. 1, 2006. Musicians who work for him will earn $1,000 per tour of five performances or less
Executive Board Minutes
October 3, 2006 -- November 14, 2006
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2006 Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Babich, Gagliardi, Gale, Landolfi, Schwartz, Shankin and Assistant to the President Rohdin. President Lennon recused.
Breaktime Answers
SIGHT-SIGNING CHALLENGE: “Hava Nagila” Across 1- Compact _____ DISC 5- Record execs, e.g. CEOS 9- Shirt size (abbr.) LGE 12- Scent ODOR 13- Rowed OARED 15- Brewer’s pride BEER 16- ____quaver (note) SEMI 17- Personal way of playing STYLE 18-
Bill Crow’s Band Room
Ken Arzberger sent me this memory of the late contractor Boris Malina: Boris was a character straight out of the Rocky and Bullwinkle show. He was a huge man, and when he spoke he sounded like Boris Baddinoff on steroids.