Allegro
Currently Browsing: May, 2014
Despite slight loss, we are a stable union
Financial Vice-President's Report
On page 40 of the printed issue of Allegro is the audited financial report for the period Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013. As usual, these reports simply show a snapshot of our finances. In reality, our finances
Small factors added up to union’s loss in 2013
Controller's Report
From Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013, Local 802 realized a loss of $99,591. The audited financial statements for this 12-month period appear beginning on page 40 of the printed issue. The Statement of Activities is relatively consistent when
Local 802 health plans get an overhaul
By now, many of you may be aware that the Local 802 plans have been overhauled to ensure that the medical coverage meets minimum value standards under the Affordable Care Act. Since the law was passed Plans A and
A new season of organizing begins
As spring warms up the city, a very busy season for many of Local 802’s members arrives. As we all know, parties, weddings, concert seasons and special events throughout the city’s many parks bring a lot of employment opportunities to
Q&A: Navigating the health care maze
We all need health care, but health insurance recently got more complicated – especially for freelance musicians. The Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as the ACA, or Obamacare) just ended its first open enrollment period, and with it one of
The Working Musician
Happy Birthday, Brahms (1833-1897)
Styra Avins has been a member of Local 802 since 1961. She is the author of “Johannes Brahms: Life and Letters” (Oxford University Press, 1997/2001) as well as many articles and book chapters concerning Brahms’s life, his correspondence with members
Musicians at Work: Photo Op
LADY GOT CHOPS: The Jazz Foundation recently hosted a women’s history month music jam at Local 802 as part of a month-long festival in NYC called “Lady Got Chops.” Featured were Dinah Vero (piano), Julie Bluestone (sax), Monnette Sudler (guitar),
Keeping It Real
'How do I notate ethnic flutes and woodwinds?'
In my work performing on so-called “ethnic” flutes and woodwinds for live and recording projects, the same questions always come up as I collaborate with composers, orchestrators, and copyists to get a piece ready to be performed or recorded. What’s
Around the world in a day
Musicians come together to teach, learn and jam
Writing music for world instruments was the topic of a recent seminar co-produced by Local 802 and the New York chapter of the Society of Composers and Lyricists. The evening was the second in a series called “Exotic Instruments, Indigenous
Quick tips for world music projects
How do you write something that sounds traditionally ethnic? First, it goes without saying that “ethnic” or “indigenous” compositions of any kind benefit greatly from the input of musicians who are very experienced in those given styles. That’s not to
Jazz Haikus
Bebop and scat…blat! Diz…”it’s ‘bout what not to play” Ella was the Queen! Lester and Billie Which one was which, could you tell? Tones…moaning…bending. Bird! Did you hear that? “Blew notes…as they’d never been” Dorough, thanks…you heard! Is there another?
When Students are Workers…
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
The Sound of Solidarity
How labor songs inspire, teach...and even make us laugh
The Sound Of Solidarity By John O’Connor When we think of labor history, we tend to gravitate to the decades of the industrial revolution when labor struggles were a matter of life and death and the stories of workers battling
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
Musicians at work
When musicians are front and center, it’s better for everyone. Local 802 musicians were recently featured in costume and on stage for an Off Broadway revival of Brecht’s “The Threepenny Opera” at the Atlantic Theater from March 12 to May
‘Why we joined the union’
I joined Local 802 because my dad was a bandleader and a lifelong member of the musicians’ union until he passed. I know he would encourage me to join the union. I intend to educate myself and take advantage of
Executive Board Minutes
February 18, 2014 - March 18, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 Meeting called to order at 11:14 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Burridge, Cranshaw, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Schwartz, Sharman. Minutes from February 11, 2014 reviewed. It was
Bylaw Resolution
The following bylaw resolution has been submitted for the June 11 membership meeting; see back cover for meeting details. (Note: underline denotes added language. Strikethrough denotes deleted language.) Article III, Section 3 (b) Members suspended, or terminated for a period