Allegro
Currently Browsing: November, 2014
Jazz Campaign Gets Support from City Council
President's Report
Our jazz campaign got a major boost in mid-October, when New York’s City Council passed a resolution in support of our efforts. In recognizing Justice for Jazz Artists, members of City Council joined a growing number of voices calling for
Stop the Invasion
How a recent law allows nonprofits to gut their endowments
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
Ochestra Board Members Need to Step Up
Musicians in the freelance classical community have expressed legitimate alarm and complaint about the dwindling number of gigs in recent years. There remains the very real impression that work has steadily evaporated over time. Not only are members understandably upset
Local 802 reports a gain in the first six months of 2014
Financial Vice President's Report
As most of you know by now, one of my duties is to assist in the production of the twice-annual audit of the local’s finances and to report the results in Allegro. The audit for the first six months of
Wise investments pay off
Controller's Report
For the six-month period from Jan. 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014, Local 802 realized a gain of $251,330. The audited financial statements for the six-month period appear in the printed issue of Allegro. The Statement of Activities reflects an
The Times, They Are A-Changin’
Summer Stock Jr. adds new programs while keeping true to its mission: introducing kids to the magic of live musical theatre If change is good, this year’s Summer Stock Jr., presented by Inside Broadway and hosted by Local 802 was
‘You Only Have One Life’
Trumpet great Vince Penzarella always stays prepared, because great opportunities seem to come up when you least expect it… Trumpeter Vincent Penzarella, a member of Local 802 since 1963, has played with the best. He won a seat in the
Top Teachers, Top Kids
What it's like to teach at the high school that inspired "Fame"
I was fortunate to grow up in an environment where creativity was a daily event and music education was a priority and strongly supported. I try to pass this along to the more than 100 students I teach every day
Roots Music
Adding Arabic tambourine to your composer's bag of tricks
I recently presented a percussion demonstration and discussion with string player John T. La Barbera at a seminar at Local 802 entitled “Exotic Instruments, Indigenous Musicians: A New York Composer’s Guide to Writing World Music.” The focus of my presentation
‘A kaleidoscope of complex melodies’
The West African gyil brings depth to a score
There was a time when the mere timbre of a traditional non-European instrument was enough to pay sufficient tribute to a “world”-oriented musical work. Thanks to such composers as Lebo M. (“The Lion King”) and Bill Whelan (“Riverdance”), the techniques
‘How to improve your playing’
I’m 62 years old and playing better now than ever because of something that happened to me just over five years ago. In sharing the following steps to this method that unfolded over time, I suggest that it can and
Executive Board Minutes
September 16, 2014 - September 30, 2014
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. by Financial Vice President Olcott. Present: Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cranshaw, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Schwartz, Sharman, Assistant to the President Bond. President Gagliardi and Recording Vice President O’Connor
‘Why we joined the union’
I joined Local 802 for the solidarity of belonging to a union in this very competitive business. After working as an agent and producer for many years, I want to encourage fellow musicians to negotiate better-paying gigs for themselves and
Your Body is Your Instrument
Skip the pub crawl - go on a "juice crawl!"
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, food stamps and
November ’14
The Band Room
The late Bernie Privin was universally admired for his trumpet playing. He was also famous among his colleagues for his acid humor. He specialized in insults long before Don Rickles made a career of it. If you asked Bernie how