Allegro
Currently Browsing: March, 2014
A Month to Remember
President's Report
Thank you to everyone who attended our New York City Opera gala, with special guest Placido Domingo. You made the event a success and ensured that the union’s Emergency Relief Fund has enough money to distribute to musicians who are
Our World War II plaque: Do you know these names?
Recently, Local 802 re-acquired a plaque, originally commissioned in 1947, honoring the 41 members of the union who died in World War II. Any member who may have information about them is asked to contact Bill Rohdin at (917) 405-5381
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
New guidelines to apply for Anne Walker Scholarship
May 1 is the deadline to apply for this year’s Anne Walker Scholarships. This is the 16th year that members of Local 802 and their children who are pursuing studies in music will have the opportunity to apply for these
The Legacy of Pete Seeger
Recording Vice President's Report
It’s hard to think of Pete Seeger as gone. A man who took up the landscape in a very large way for seven decades cannot easily slip away from the way we become accustomed to great living people. Pete
The power of Pete Seeger’s song
I was 16 years old when I first heard Pete Seeger at a concert in Detroit. His message of peace, freedom, and human rights seemed to pierce the clouds that hung over our country in the dark days of McCarthyism.
Arrested for playing music?
What can happen when musicians are deemed "panhandlers"
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
A year of challenge and hope
The New York chapter of the Recording Musicians Association recently held its annual meeting at Local 802 with a look at the state of the recording industry in New York and a discussion of what musicians can do to protect
Get the Facts
The online health insurance marketplaces of the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) have been live for almost six months. In our region, New York and Connecticut are running their own, while the New Jersey and Pennsylvania marketplaces are being run by
If you make less than $16K as a musician, check out this tax tip!
Tax tips for musicians
If you earn less than $16,000 per year as a musician, you may be eligible to deduct business expenses as an “above the line” deduction, meaning that it can reduce your adjusted gross income. This could be an advantage for
Can musicians deduct massage therapy?
Tax tips for musicians
Can musicians deduct massage therapy? According to IRS Publication 502, medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body. These expenses include
How to depreciate your instrument to reduce taxable income
Tax tips for musicians
The purpose of this article is to explain what depreciation is and how it can benefit the working musician. Generally speaking, if you purchase a musical instrument and it is used in an income- producing activity, you can use it
Same-sex marriage and taxes
In June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court struck down section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The decision has many tax implications. The federal government now recognizes legally married same-sex unions that were performed in states or foreign
In love with the harp
A conversation with Susan Jolles
Susan Jolles has enjoyed a long and varied career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, teacher and arranger. A founding member of the Jubal Trio, she also appears with her daughter, violinist Renee Jolles, as the Jolles Duo. Jolles
Lessons from the lockout
Guest Commentary
We are back to work, at last. As most of you know, the musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra recently endured a 16-month lockout. The unprecedented length and severity of the lockout taught us some important lessons, which I’d like
Born to play trumpet: my memories of Lloyd Michels
Reminiscences
It is with deep grief that I report the passing of Lloyd Michael Bergman, known to his friends and colleagues as Lloyd Michels. He died in mid-January at the age of 70. Those of us who believe in divine
Looking for Gigs?
We are very excited to announce a new company that has been launched for the purpose of booking union bands and musicians for weddings, corporate parties, bar mitzvahs and other events. The company, First Choice Musicians, features a state-of the-art
Happy 90th birthday, Fred Staton!
We are in awe of our musical elders, especially saxophonist Fred Staton, who recently celebrated his 99th birthday on Feb. 14 at Local 802. Fred was serenaded by the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band (pictured above; Fred Staton is seated
Why we joined the union
I re-joined Local 802 because I was asked to play with the Trinity Baroque ensemble at St. Paul’s Chapel, and the job requires union membership. My musical goal in NYC is to help further the early music scene, where historically
Executive Board Minutes
December 10, 2013 - January 14, 2014
NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on the following dates: Dec. 3, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 Meeting called to order at 11:09 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor,
Women: It’s your month. Take charge!
Musicians' Assistance Program
The office of the Musicians’ Assistance Program is your one-stop shop for musicians’ health. We offer counseling – both one-on-one and in groups – as well as information on all kinds of social services, including health insurance, housing, food stamps