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Currently Browsing: May, 2013
Taking our campaign to a new level
President's Report
As you can see from our cover story, our Justice for Jazz Artists Campaign recently entered new territory. Up until now, we’ve confined our protests to the sites of the various jazz clubs. But due to limited response from the
A call to music professors: open your door to us
Every year, large numbers of music students leave school with a limited understanding of what resources exist to help them further their careers. Union awareness is not always a part of a music education, and students often make it through
Local 802 is financially stable and in good shape
Financial Vice-President's Report
In the printed issue are the audited financial report for the period Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012. Members will note a modest increase in nearly every asset category. In the revenue category, work dues and basic dues are
New receipts system paints a clearer picture
Controller's Report
For the 12-month period ended Dec. 31, 2012, Local 802 realized a gain of $261,591. The union’s statement of activities (see page 39) is relatively consistent when comparing 2011 to 2012, with only a few notable changes. The most important
Bringing it home
If the owners of the Blue Note won't come to us, we'll go to where they live...
See photos by Walter Karling below. On a recent spring evening, an intrepid group of activists and some of the most respected musicians in the world – including John Pizzarelli, Bob Cranshaw and Dr. Larry Ridley – came together on
Bam! What was that sound?
Local 802 musicians reflect on what playing this awesome piece means to them
Part I: The Adoration of the Contractor The Augurs of the Gig Spring 2009: here I am, sitting on stage at Avery Fisher Hall, subbing with the great New York Philharmonic. Indeed a high honor. Without a doubt, one of
When music could cause riots
Reflections on "The Rite of Spring" at 100
This month is the 100th anniversary of the first performance of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” which took place in 1913 in Paris. The reports of that initial performance are part of music lore and we now ask, with some
Always a surprising ride
Reflections on "The Rite of Spring" at 100
The Rite of Spring” is a composition that never loses its freshness or its avant-garde edge. I don’t find it dated in the slightest, in spite of the fact that it was written 100 years ago. My point of view
A journey like no other
Reflections on "The Rite of Spring" at 100
My first performance of “The Rite of Spring” was in 2003 with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra under Maestro Valery Gergiev. Programmed along with “Le Rossignol (The Nightingale)” and the opera-oratorio “Oedipus Rex,” this Stravinsky triple-bill program was revived by the
Playing the “Rite” in Mexico
Reflections on "The Rite of Spring" at 100
I wish I could say that I had the kind of musical career that gave me the opportunity to play “The Rite of Spring” numerous times with Great Orchestras under the batons of Great Conductors. Alas, that was not to
Bronx Arts Ensemble
Photo Feature: Musicians at work
The Bronx Arts Ensemble has won the admiration of the music world with its high artistic standards, innovative programming and acclaimed recordings. The group presents 100 concerts annually that reach an audience of over 50,000. Musicians in the Bronx Arts
The Power of Art
This year, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of three major events in labor history. Thanks to the power of art, we will not forget…
Take a trip with me in 1913 to Calumet, Michigan and the copper country…” are the opening lines of one of the most haunting, powerful and depressing songs in the Woody Guthrie catalogue: “1913 Massacre.” I learned the song from
The man who never died
Joe Hill was one of the most important troubadours of the labor movement. A new book fills in many details of his rich life…
Pdf download: “THE PREACHER AND THE SLAVE” sheet music It was a funeral the likes of which Chicago had never seen. As early as dawn they began gathering, a great singing swarm of humanity, tens of thousands of the city’s
Can an audition pianist file for unemployment benefits?
It depends on whether you're an employee or an independent contractor. Luckily, the law's on your side...
Harvey Mars is counsel to Local 802. Legal questions from members are welcome. E-mail them to HsmLaborLaw@HarveyMarsAttorney.com. Harvey Mars’s previous articles in this series are archived at www.HarveyMarsAttorney.com. (Click on “Publications & Articles” from the top menu.) Nothing here or
Know Your Rights!
Are you playing a Broadway or Off Broadway show where the smoke and fog effects are making you sick? Or is the music too loud, leaving your ears ringing?
In 1999, Local 802 measured sound levels at 14 Broadway shows. The results showed that orchestra pits were louder than levels recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health over 75 percent of the time. Smoke and fog
The unstoppable Steve Knight
Reminiscences
Steve Knight (1935-2013) once gave me a real-life horror story resembling the bad dreams that sometimes plague musicians. He got a call to play the oud, and electric and acoustic guitars, for a three-week run with the Alvin Ailey Dance
‘Why we joined the union’
I’ve been making a living in music since I was a teenager as a theatrical pianist and music director. Recently, I played the holiday job at the Gateway Playhouse, a gig I originally got from a cold call while I
Executive Board Minutes
February 26, 2013 - March 26, 2013
Tuesday February 26, 2013 Meeting called to order at 11:11AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Cranshaw, Cutler, Hyde, Kruvand, Schwartz, Sharman. It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes from
Playing music may lower your blood pressure
Want to lower your blood pressure? Pick up a musical instrument. That’s the implication of a pilot study from the Netherlands, which suggests playing music is beneficial to one’s cardiovascular system. “Our study suggests that active music making has some
THE “RITE OF SPRING” ESSAYS
Reflections of "The Rite of Spring" at 100
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” we solicited anecdotes and reminiscences from Local 802 musicians about what playing this awesome piece means to them. Here are their stories: Bam! What Was That Sound?