Well, wouldn’t you know it! Remember how my column last month expressed cautious optimism about the freelance concert world? I wrote about some recent Local 802 deals that showed progress in wages and other conditions. I wondered if the recent

It’s called the music business for a reason. The business side of music is often anathema to most musicians – something to be ignored, feared or misunderstood. Historically, music conservatories and other higher educational institutions have put little weight on

The Broadway Green Alliance collects and sends the following items to its partners for upcycling, recycling or proper disposal. These collections are year-round on a drop-off basis between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the BGA office., 165 West 46th

Paquito D’Rivera defies categorization. The winner of 14 Grammy awards and a member of Local 802 for 35 years, he is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer. Born in Havana, Cuba,

One of the hottest tickets in town is “Hamilton” – and the show is everywhere. The cast recording just won a Grammy for best musical theatre album. The music is being taught as curriculum in public schools. The cast and

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

What is happening to the Obamacare CO-OPs? I heard from several people this past fall who were subscribers to Health Republic Insurance of New York, which was one of 23 nonprofit alternatives to commercial health insurance. Health Republic shuttered on

Do you know how to report your health insurance on your tax form? It’s required and it can be complicated, but we have all the info… April 15 is tax day, and that means it’s your last chance to make

Steve Tarshis and I met back in 1984 working at the Guitar Study Center. We discovered that we both had a deep love for the blues. I asked him if he’d like to come to a jam session I put

My father, Reinhardt Elster, who died peacefully at 101 on Oct. 5, 2015 at his home in Massachusetts, was fond of telling a story about Sir Thomas Beecham, the English conductor. As the story goes, Beecham was in a graveyard

NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on Dec. 22, 2015 or Dec. 29, 2015. TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016 Meeting called to order at 11:12 a.m. by President Gagliardi. Present: Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board

I joined Local 802 because I just moved to NYC from London and started getting work playing horn in some Broadway shows. When I was working in London, I was unable to join the British Musicians’ Union because I was

I joined Local 802 a few years ago in order to sub for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. I had just moved back to New York after playing with New World Symphony, and the Christmas Spectacular was one

As a bassoonist and contrabassoonist with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, I have been covered collectively by the Israeli union (Histadrut) for more than 20 years. After arriving in NYC and becoming a freelancer for the first time in my career,

I joined Local 802 after performing with Annaleigh Ashford for a Broadway.com promotional video. The experience sparked my interest in getting involved with Broadway pits. I am a guitarist and my musical goal in the city is to be the

I joined Local 802 to make connections, to network with other musicians in the area, and to take advantage of the resources the union has to offer. My musical goal is to music direct a Broadway musical or work in

Before coming to the U.S., I worked as a pit musician at a musical theatre in Poznan, Poland. I came here to pursue a graduate degree in jazz performance and composition. That led to performances in regional theatres in New