Allegro
Currently Browsing: December, 2014
Protecting Live Music at Home and Abroad
As I write these words, I’m on the way to London, visiting our colleagues at the British Musicians’ Union. Among other things, we’re talking about how to protect live musical theatre from producers who are constantly trying to chip away
LS-1 contract due dates have changed
The LS-1 contract DUE DATES HAVE CHANGED. ALL LS-1 CONTRACTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY JAN. 16, 2015 for the MARCH 1 benefit period. The Affordable Health Care Act prohibits a waiting period of more than 90 days between attaining eligibility
New Year’s Resolutions for Musicians – and the Union
Financial Vice President's Report
As another year ends and a new year begins, it’s a good time to reflect on our goals for 2015 and beyond. Here’s my list. 1. Let’s fight for live music How good are you at advocating for live music?
Standing Strong
As we promote live music, hope beats fear
In my opening address to the annual meeting of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians in Los Angeles this past August, I noted that for the first time in several years we were commencing our discussions on a
Double Trouble
How the law protects musicians when they have "joint employers"
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
Standing up for artists’ rights in the digital domain
October was a busy month for the musicians and activists of the Content Creators Coalition. The group (previously profiled in the October issue) held a fundraiser concert, a rally and a protest march, all in the name of standing up
D.I.Y.? Do it together!
In order to have a voice, you’ve got to show up. I recently joined union colleagues at the Future of Music Policy Summit at Georgetown University, an annual event that brings together aspiring musicians, representatives from the music industry and
Subway Showdown
After musician is unjustly arrested by MTA police, Local 802 joins rally
Is it legal to perform in the subway? The relationship between musicians and MTA police has long been fraught with misunderstanding and inconsistency. This friction was brought to light again in October, when a video (screen shot above) made the
Get Involved! It’s time for new approaches to organizing
Organizing Matters
Maggie Russell-Brown is the director of organizing and field services. If you’re playing a job where you feel disrespected or know that you aren’t being paid fairly, contact Maggie at (212) 245-4802, ext. 157 or Mrussell@Local802afm.org. You can also call
Reading, writing and rhythm
Creative teaching gigs are now available for musicians and other artists
Do you want to use your music to enrich the lives of public school children – while getting paid? Here’s some news: the Actors Fund has come up with a very creative way for musicians and other artists to do
Christmas is in the air
Radio City Music Hall is alive with the sound of Local 802 musicians performing the annual Christmas Spectacular show with the Rockettes. Musicians play up to six shows a day for nine weeks in this intense holiday gig. Allegro photographer
Open Your Ears
Stan Applebaum, the master of arranging, tells his secrets
Spanning almost half a century, Stan Applebaum’s career has been rich and diverse. His compositions and arrangements have earned him numerous awards, including 35 top-ten hits and several number-one singles for extraordinary artists such as Ben E. King, Bobby Vinton,
Tax alert for Obamacare subsidies
Guest Columnist
No one wants a big surprise at tax time (that would be a really sour note), which is why this year tax professionals are especially recommending that musicians review their tax situation as soon as possible and make any necessary
Local 802 joins talks on state music tax credit
Local 802 and other music industry experts were part of a recent roundtable discussion co-hosted by New York State Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol (D-North Brooklyn). The talks aimed to better understand how the Empire State Music Tax Credit should be
The Musicians’ Voice
The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. The letters here do not necessarily express the views of Local 802. E-mail letters to Allegro@Local802afm.org or write to Allegro, Local 802, 322 West 48th
A scene in the life of Beethoven, the boy
Just in time for Beethoven’s 244th birthday on Dec. 16, a new book about the great master was recently written by the composer and author Jan Swafford. Using new sources never before cited in English-language biographies of Beethoven, Swafford reveals
Executive Board Minutes
October 7, 2014 - October 21, 2014
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014 Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cranshaw, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Kruvand, Schwartz, Sharman, Assistant to the President Bond. Minutes
‘Why we joined the union’
After touring the country for a couple of years with a few musicals (“Catch Me If You Can,” “Shrek” and “South Pacific”), I decided to settle in NYC and join Local 802. I’m also a member of AFM Local 72-147
December ’14
The Band Room
Back in the 1950s, when I was with Gerry Mulligan’s quartet, we played a week at the Village Gate opposite Dizzy Gillespie’s quintet. Woody Allen was the comedian on the bill, just starting his career as a standup. When Woody