Allegro

Currently Browsing: April, 2008

STOLEN BASS!

John Romey

Dear Friends: Yesterday, in West Harlem, between the times of 12:45 – 1:00 PM, my double bass was stolen. It was a Barrie Kolstein redish color with sloping shoulders. I had replaced the Kolstein tailpiece with one from Christian Laborie

Recording department recovers over $2.5 million

The figures are in — and the news is good. The Recording Department recovered over $2.5 million in wages and benefits for musicians in 2007, including money for grievances, late penalties and settlements. That’s the most money ever recovered by

A 30-piece orchestra for ‘South Pacific’

Tino Gagliardi

The “South Pacific” Orchestra (in alphabetical order): Shelagh Abate, David Blinn, Mike Boschen, Robert Carlisle, David Creswell, Dominic Derasse, Matt Dine, Charles Du Chateau (assistant conductor), Wayne DuMaine, Gareth Flowers, Shari Hoffman, Rena Isbin, Karl Kawahara, Chris Komer, David Lai

Music Education and Us

Mary Landolfi

I returned from pension fund meetings in California this week to a stack of mail. One piece was of particular interest and it could be a catalyst for a new alliance in an area that has concerned our members for

When the labor movement thinks big, we all win

Joel LeFevre

Two months ago in this space I wrote about heroism, respect and the deaths that happen during strikes. This month marks a milestone of another death during a strike, also a struggle for respect, one that became an historic event.

Earth Day

Pat Hackbarth

Fact or myth: You can’t make the shift to a green economy and energy independence without sacrificing good jobs. Answer: Myth, according to the labor and environmental leaders who gathered in New York recently for the North American Labor Assembly

Making a Wish Come True

Mikael Elsila

Caitlin Case (left) brushes up on her “Lion King” part with principal cellist Eliana Mendoza. Photo by Walter Karling. If you were a 17-year-old musician and were granted a wish, what would you choose? How about performing in a Broadway

From the Grass Roots, A Committee Is Born

There’s strength in numbers. In 2005, as part of a strategic planning process under the prior administration, the 802 Executive Board asked the Recording Department to work with the community of recording musicians to form their own rank-and-file committee. That’s

Beat on the Street

Earth Day is April 22. As a musician, what does environmentalism mean to you? I bought a hybrid, stopped drinking bottled water, turned down my home temp to 64 degrees in winter and up to 82 in summer, and I

Jazz Appreciation Month

Matt Sakakeeny

Jazz funeral procession for jazz clarinetist Alvin Batiste in May 2007. Batiste taught Branford Marsalis and others. All photos by Matt Sakakeeny. April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and, yes, there are still brass bands playing in the streets of New

Jazz Appreciation Month

Charlie Keil

“The black New Orleans brass band nurtured a characteristic outdoor-playing style that utilized a hoarse and ‘crying’ tone, wide vibrato, and a peculiar instrumental attack not heard in jazz and dance bands. This is easily heard but hard to describe.

Jazz Appreciation Month

Robert L. (“Bob”) Thompson, 81, is an honor member who joined Local 802 in 1950. A Dixieland drummer known for his group the Red Onion Jazz Band, Thompson managed to hold down a chair in the Psychology Department at Hunter

Jazz Appreciation Month

For the past two years, Local 802 has been in touch with various musicians in New Orleans. This year, we hear from Nanette Ledet, writing us two years after Hurricane Katrina. Nanette is a teaching artist who runs a project

From North Korea, With Love

THE INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE: The New York Philharmonic performed a historic concert in Pyongyang in February. The next issue will feature some of the musicians’ reminiscences. Below, the orchestra poses at the Pyongyang airport. Trombonist David Finlayson shot this photo and

Alleged age discrimination over firing of 74-year-old musician

Harvey S. Mars, Esq.

Last October, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the American Ballet Theatre in U.S. District Court. The suit was based upon an age discrimination claim filed by a Local 802 member. He was a 74-year-old non-tenured trumpet player who had

Musicians' Assistance Program

Janet Becker, LCSW, Ph.D.

April brings the beginning of spring, often associated with new beginnings and fresh starts. Not surprisingly, many people also engage in some sort of ritual of spring cleaning. In addition to dusting, mopping, washing and polishing, many also sort through

The Importance of Pensions

What should you understand in order to prepare adequately for retirement? We have prepared an economic learning video about the importance of pensions and social security to retirement income security and the role of unions in history of America’s retirement.

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 Local

In Brief

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES As the so-called “immigration debate” heats up in the U.S., it’s important to remember that equality is one the most important values of the labor movement. For instance, the New York Revels recently invited a group of musicians from

Negotiations Roundup

CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY OPERA Local 802’s latest agreement with the Center for Contemporary Opera was ratified on Feb. 20. The new contract includes an increase of 13.5 percent in concert wages over the two years of the agreement. Rehearsal wages,

Off Broadway Roundup

Mary Donovan

Local 802 negotiated an agreement for a choreographic session production of BRIGADOON covering four musicians. The session took place at the 37 Arts Studio space on West 37th Street. The musicians earned $600 per week for five days over two

Requiem

Gene Allen – Saxophone Bernardo Altmann – Cello Bert Ardi – Violin Phil Bodner – Clarinet Rose Chanivecky – Violin Dennis Irwin – Bass John F. Knapp – Copyist Samuel Kramar – Violin Teo Macero – Saxophone/Conductor/Arranger Lloyd Trotman –

January29, 2008 - March 4, 2008

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2008 Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Rizzo, Schwartz and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. Recording Vice President Dennison

Crossword Puzzle & Sight-Sing Challenge

SIGHT-SING CHALLENGE“How High the Moon” CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across 1 – Made like a bird FLEW 5 – Knight shirt MAIL 9 – Race or tie ASCOT 14 – Ready to pluck RIPE 15 – ____ Vera ALOE 16 – Skiers

Bill Crow’s Band Room

Bill Crow

I played a school concert with Art Baron’s quartet at Lincoln Center recently. Jackie Williams was the drummer, and Richard Wyands was the pianist. Art did a nice job of getting a roomful of elementary school kids to participate in