Allegro
Currently Browsing: July, 2007
Broadway Contract Saves Health Fund
Musicians Will See Major Improvements
Broadway musicians overwhelmingly ratified their new three-year contract. Pictured from top to bottom are David Riekenberg, Ray Marchica and Don Rice. Photos by Joy Portugal. Broadway musicians ratified a new three-year contract in May by an overwhelming margin. The new
Union Health Plans to Merge
New Plan Will Offer Hospitalization
There is good news on the horizon: Local 802 is improving its health plan and adding hospitalization. The new plan, which will add or restore many benefits to members, will begin with the Oct. 1 coverage period. The plan will
The New Biltmore Gets Its First Musical
Union Rep Notebook
Musicians before a recent performance of “LoveMusik” at the newly-restored Biltmore Theatre on West 47th Street. Local 802 and Manhattan Theatre Club concluded negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement last September. Now, less than one year later, the theatre is
Recording Musicians Move Forward
Above, from left: Rozanna Weinberger, Patrisa Tomassini, Akua dixon and Orlando Wells. The musicians posed in front of a historical photo of old New York City. Photos by Dave Sheldon. Local 802 musicians perfromed recently at the “Made in New
The Future of Music
In early May, John Conte and LeFevre attended the 2007 policy conference of the Future of Music Coalition, a think tank dealing with music and technology. Below is their report. If you’re interested in seeing glimpses of the conference, go
President’s Report
Looking Beyond Our First Challenge
The ratification of the new Broadway agreement marks the close of the first significant chapter of this, my first term in office. I believe that the overwhelming vote in favor of the contract indicates that musicians working on Broadway agree
Retired, But Not Off Duty
Retired folks often make the best activists: they’re experienced, they’ve seen it all, and they have more time to spend on campaigns. Local 802 Executive Board member Ethan Fein was recently appointed as 802’s representative to the New York City
Future of Music Coalition Policy Conference
May 2, 2007
You can watch the FMC Policy Conference for yourself here:Future of Music Coalition Policy Conference Fundamentally there is a shift in the way music is consumed. In the US cd sales are off over 10% a year for three years,
Duet for Music and Medicine
Pianist Leon Fleisher once called musicians “athletes of the small muscles.” And like many athletes, stress on the body is accompanied by not only the pressure to succeed as artists, but the ever-present demand of tolerating public scrutiny. Such demands
Music and Medicine Work Together
The healing power of music was a central theme of the lectures delivered at the May 14 symposium on music and medicine at the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine that I attended. The health and medical needs specifically
Ticket Scalping Bill Passes
Music and Politics
NEW YORK IS OUR HOME! Musicians joined housing advocates in a rally on May 23 at Stuyvesant Town. The coalition “New York is Our Home” – of which Local 802 is a member – organized the event and called for
Looking After Your Future
Focus On Music Prep
Many times during the course of daily business, the arranger, orchestrator or music copyist is confronted with preparing several jobs, either simultaneously or overlapping each other. Often there is not enough time to execute a music prep contract. Although different
Former Steven Scott Leaders Lose Decision
Focus on Club Dates
On May 3, Local 802 won a default arbitration award in the case of unpaid health benefits for members employed by Steven Scott through the end of 2005. A default award simply means that the other side never showed up
Case Closes on Shloime Dachs
Focus on Club Dates
After several delays, a hearing was held before the New York State Employment Relations Board concerning Shloime Dachs’ obligations under Local 802’s Jewish Club Date agreement. As previously reported in Allegro, Dachs had signed a recognition agreement, participated in Jewish
The Beat on the Street
As a musician, what are your pre-performance rituals? A couple hours before my performance, I’ll go for a 20 to 30 minute run. Besides the physical and mental benefits experienced — including improved breath support and decreased stress level —
Musicians At Work
Musicians performed at the annual “Great Night in Harlem” benefit for the Jazz Foundation of America, which helps jazz musicians in need. Photos by Enid Farber. Wendy Oxenhorn Jazz Foundation Executive Director Roy Haynes Candido Sweet Georgia Brown and Paul
New Yorkers in Florida Keep the Beat Alive
Member Spotlight
After a busy career in New York City, what’s the next step? Move to Florida! But what kind of musicians would give up their axes? Not the ones in Paul Cohen’s big band. Cohen, a retired Local 802 member, leads
Busy…But Broke!
Member to Member
Why does more work not necessarily add up to more money? This is not a contradiction. Many musicians look to take on loads of freelance work — often on top of steady gigs or a day job in another field
Are “Non-Compete” Contracts Legal?
Legal Corner
Recently, I was asked by a union member for advice concerning the enforceability of a non-compete agreement he had entered with an employer. The clause stated: “During the period of your employment and for a period of five years thereafter,
Looking for Legal Help?
If you need a music lawyer, sometimes Local 802 can help. It depends on the problem. If your situation has to do with a union gig, then we can clearly assist you; it’s our job. But if you have a
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Musicians' Assistance Program
Do you know people who always seem to be gloomy? They may or may not be depressed, but let’s say they’re definitely pessimists. These people could be in Hawaii with a drink in their hand and could still be worrying
The Musicians’ Voice
The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. The letters published here do not necessarily express the views of Local 802. Letters must be 300 words or less. Send them to Allegro, c/o
Remembering Nannette Levi Harry
Reminiscences
My wife, Nannette Levi Harry, 80, a violinist and an 802 member since 1946, died on May 25. Nannette was born in San Francisco and took up the violin at a very young age. It became evident she was a
Executive Board Minutes
April 17, 2007 -- May 15, 2007
TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 2007 Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Rizzo and Schwartz. Board member Schaffner excused on union business. Recording Vice President
Breaktime Answers
Crossword and Sight-Sing Challenge
SIGHT-SINGING ANSWER: “You’re a Grand Old Flag” CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Across 1- Worries and frets STEWS 6- Sarah Vaughan, to friends SASS 10- Neighbor of Isr. PAL 13- Impudence in Mayfair CHEEK 14- Bon mot QUIP 15- Gradually lower
Bill Crow’s Band Room
This column originated in the February 1983 issue of Allegro and has been going strong ever since, thanks to the contributions of so many musicians who have passed along their stories for everyone’s enjoyment. There have been some requests for