Allegro
Currently Browsing: September, 2014
Met Musicians Make Sacrifices to Invest in Opera House’s Future
New contract also mandates that Met management share the pain
I am writing this on Aug. 18, the afternoon after Local 802 and the Metropolitan Opera finally came to an accord at 5:45 a.m. These negotiations have been a long, arduous, and sometimes torturous journey. The outstanding issue was the
No Time to Waste
Musicians - and all labor activists - need to get serious about climate change
Almost two years ago, the theaters on Broadway closed in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy as it approached the New York area. Off Broadway shows were also cancelled and the new nightclub that was employing Local 802 members, 54 Below, announced
A Pivotal Year for Classical Concerts
2013-2014 Season Roundup
September is always an important month for classical musicians because many of our orchestra contracts expire each year on the unfortunate date of Sept. 11. That date was picked many years ago and harkens back to the time when many
‘How Much My Music Teacher Meant to Me’
We asked Local 802 members to tell us...
My favorite music teacher was my great-great Aunt Hilda Johnston. I began playing the piano when I was four years old in a tiny community called Hub, Mississippi. Hub is about 10 miles from the town of Columbia, which is
Live…from Bryant Park!
When it comes to live music, Local 802 puts its money where its mouth is. Each year, the union co-sponsors “Piano in the Park,” which provides gigs for our members under a union contract and allows passersby to enjoy the
A Life of Music
From classical to contemporary club dates, Spencer Bruno continues to inspire and lead
Woodwind doubler Spencer Bruno, a member of Local 802 since 1973, has paid his dues in more ways than one. He is the executive director and owner of the Lester Lanin Orchestra, the top society band. Spencer worked with Lester
The Secret Ingredient
Why it's important to negotiate a "union security clause" into our contracts
One of the most sensitive subjects in the labor movement is union dues. Any of us who have argued with anti-union friends or relatives has heard the line, “Unions are only after dues; that’s all they want.” But of course
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
Warm Sound
Scenes of Summer
This summer, music lovers flocked to Washington Square for extraordinary free concerts that featured Local 802 musicians playing under a union contract. Presented by the Washington Square Music Festival, the series offers adventurous programming and unusual instrumentation. The Music Performance
Music Changes Lives Forever
Scenes of Summer
What happens when every child is given the chance to play music? Last month in Allegro, we presented a story on El Sistema, an innovative music education and social rescue program from Venezuela that has become a global movement. (See
Play Ball!
The Local 802 softball teams played their hearts out this season. As usual, we competed in the Performing Arts Softball League, which is a 12-team league composed exclusively of Broadway unions and other entertainment professionals in New York City. To
The Met says goodbye to two of its own
SANDOR BALINT (1928-2014) by Duncan Patton The MET Orchestra mourns the passing of Sandor Balint, 86, a member of the Met’s first violin section since 1956 and a member of Local 802 since 1945. He died on June 13. Sandy’s
‘Why we joined the union’
I joined Local 802 after I missed a music opportunity because I wasn’t a union member at the time. My musical goal in New York City is to eventually replace my day job with playing music. (Sounds cliché, doesn’t it?)
Executive Board Minutes
May 27, 2014 - July 22, 2014
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2014 Meeting called to order at 11:05 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor, Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cranshaw, Dougherty, Kruvand, Schwartz, Sharman, Assistant to the President Boyle. Minutes from May
You’re Not Alone
If you or a loved one is abusing drugs, there's help
Do you know someone who’s a user? Research estimates that substance abuse is common in about 10 percent of the general population. But the percentage is much higher in the music industry. Musicians are particularly at risk for substance abuse
September ’14
The Band Room
If you have called the Recording Department at Local 802 lately, you have probably noticed that the young women answering your calls have a slight foreign accent. The three newest members of the staff there, and one of the new