Let me start my report this month with the topic that’s on everyone’s minds – our pension fund. At our recent Board of Trustees meeting, the AFM Pension Fund’s actuaries advised the board that better than expected investment returns will

As 2017 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on Local 802’s accomplishments and challenges this past year. To begin our look back, let’s remember us at our best. Many of you came together with Local 802

I write these words with a heavy heart, but also with gratitude for the many musicians who have reached out to me over the past few weeks. On Jan. 12, my wife of 27 years, Yukiko, died after a long

As usual, there has been a lot of activity at Local 802 since my last report. First of all, I’m pleased to report that a majority of our endorsed candidates for City Council won their races in the NYC municipal

It’s gearing up to be a great summer at Local 802. I’m proud to announce two exciting new programs that have the potential to bring new work to our members. The first is our brand-new online referral directory called www.newyorkmusicians.com.

As Allegro went to press, President Donald Trump had introduced a budget request that called for eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Even though this budget is

ALL LS-1 CONTRACTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 15, 2017 for the benefit period that begins Sept. 1, 2017. Only teaching (private and institutional) and/or solo, live engagements performed between January 1 to June 30, 2017 can be reported on

ALL LS-1 CONTRACTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY JAN. 15, 2018 FOR THE BENEFIT PERIOD THAT BEGINS MARCH 11, 2018 Only teaching (private and institutional) and/or solo, live engagements performed between July 1 and December 31, 2017 can be reported on

STANDING UP FOR RECORDING MUSICIANS: AFM President Ray Hair (above, left) joined Local 802 political director Chris Carroll at the January meeting of the NYC chapter of the Recording Musicians’ Association. They discussed the status of the ongoing Sound Recording

We are proud to support Mayor Bill de Blasio for a second term. Mayor de Blasio has shown time and again that he is a strong ally to the performers who drive our cultural economy and make New York City

In a short time since its inception, the Local 802 Artist Rights Caucus has already generated an enthusiastic response from members. The caucus, which was first announced in last month’s Allegro, was created as a forum for members to make

New York University and Vice Dean Ted Magder have been placed on the AFM International Unfair List due to their unwillingness to cover Local 802 musicians under any agreement. NYU employs Local 802 members as independent contractors in its film

Musicians and friends said their final goodbyes to Bob Cranshaw in style on Jan. 30 at St. Peter’s Church. Live musicians played to a packed hall, and Bob was remembered fondly with many tributes, stories and speeches. We’ll miss you,

I just got back from a rally at City Hall. It was organized by City Council member Jimmy Van Bramer to protest the proposed budget cuts to both publicly funded arts organizations (NEA, NEH and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting)

Government officials like studies and plans. From economic impact studies and environmental surveys to community development initiatives and rezoning proposals, these plans and initiatives help our representatives organize complex ambitions and foster inter-agency collaboration. Public officials are always studying our

It doesn’t take much to appreciate the role New York City’s vibrant nightlife has played on our city’s culture and American society as a whole. Just a cursory glance at our country’s musical canon makes clear that our artistic heritage

What’s more important to the artistic health of New York City: a flagship concert hall or a thriving network of smaller ensembles? The answer to that question is open to debate, but it could make all the difference. As most

For decades, universal healthcare in this country has seemed a pipedream, an idea that was legislatively and politically impossible to achieve and one that was reserved for the furthest extremes of the political left. Though politically that remains the case

For the six-month period from Jan. 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017, Local 802 realized a gain of $36,838. The audited financial statements appear in the printed version of Allegro. The Statement of Activities remained relatively constant when comparing 2016

My last two Allegro columns dealt with national political issues that will need our constant attention throughout the next few years. The union will continue to foster supportive conversations and interactions to talk about these issues. Those kinds of discussions

The Actors Fund is your one-stop shop for almost any kind of service you can imagine. We offer counseling – both one-on-one and in groups – as well as information on all kinds of social services, including health insurance, housing,

From San Francisco to Denver, Chicago and Boston, major cities across the United States have enjoyed city-supported cultural plans, all of which have seen varying degrees of success and effectiveness. Following that example, Mayor de Blasio and the New York

One of my duties as financial vice president is to assist in the production of the annual audit of the local’s finances and to report the results to the membership. The latest audit was recently completed and reviewed by our

May 1 is the deadline to apply for this year’s Anne Walker Scholarships for members of Local 802 and their children who are pursuing studies in music. The scholarship honors a fiery advocate for musicians whose more than 30 years

Late in the evening on April 7, after months of speculation, missed deadlines, a budget extender and great amounts of frustration, Governor Cuomo stepped before cameras to announce that an agreement for the fiscal year budget had been reached. The

It is hard for me to believe that a year has elapsed since taking office in January 2016. What a whirlwind of a year it has been. The transition to the position of recording vice president has been one of

The following is Christopher Carroll’s Feb. 27 testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations. The testimony was entitled “Create NYC: A Cultural Plan for All New Yorkers” and was delivered on

For the 12-month period from Jan. 1, 2016 to Dec. 31, 2016, Local 802 realized a loss of $28,279. When comparing the loss of $28,279 in 2016 with the loss of $24,761 in 2015, there is only a slight increase

E-mail letters to Allegro@Local802afm.org or write to Allegro, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. Letters must be no more than 300 words. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of Local 802. MUSICIANS TELL

Background As millions of musicians across the country know, copyright law, regulation and enforcement (or lack thereof) is a vitally important topic, impacting musicians’ ability to protect their artistic property and make a viable financial living through their recorded music.

Local 802 has been a proud partner of the New York Musical Festival for over a decade. This year, NYMF showcased culturally diverse and socially conscious musical productions, bringing people’s stories to the limelight. To celebrate this fusion of storytelling

This year, Earth Day (April 22) has special importance as climate change is treated by some as an “alternative fact.” Fortunately, we work in a community that actively finds ways, small and large, to protect the environment, without compromising our

It’s finally here! Local 802’s Musician Referral Service is happy to announce that our online referral directory at NewYorkMusicians.com is now open for enrollment. Enroll now to take advantage of this brand-new promotional tool. Each active Local 802 member may

In politics and campaigns, it’s never too late to begin preparing for the next election. Voters today hardly have time to complete marking their ballots before being bombarded by rumors and polls, reading about “exploratory committees” and enduring new waves

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

By now, all participants in the Musicians’ Health Fund have received notification of the changeover from MagnaCare (medical) and Blue Cross (hospital) administration to Aetna, taking effect March 1, 2017. For quite some time, the Fund’s Board of Trustees (BOT)

As many musicians already know, there has long been an effort to amend copyright law to ensure that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and other statutes better protect musicians and other content creators. However, big tech companies and their allies

The #ResistanceBand is a group of musicians who fight for social change and who protest unjust policies through the power of music. The idea of the band originated from the NYC Women’s March. (Fellow Local 802 member Lorraine Cohen and

On a warm Sunday afternoon, Mr. Fred Staton sits, poised and alert in his comfy chair. He has graciously agreed to an interview and invited me into his home. At age 102, he might be expected to balk at such

What are the most important issues that the classical music industry faces? That was the main focus of the 55th annual International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians conference, which was held this year in Buffalo. Hosted by AFM Local

Musicians today are facing challenges unlike ever before, as new technologies and business models force them to steer their careers through an increasingly exploitative and unaffordable world. Addressing these challenges is a priority for the leadership of this union. Our

Want excellent health care, without the song and dance? The brand-new Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts is a thrilling addition to the many services provided by the Actors Fund for all Local 802 members. The new

All photos by Walter Karling MUSIC: it’s the universal language that has the ability to transcend boundaries, unite cultures and elevate the soul. In its purest sense, music does not discriminate or judge – it simply is. And yet there

Why should musicians care about the larger labor movement in New York City? Because what happens to other unions often has a deep effect on our own. As the Local 802 delegate to the New York City Labor Council, I

E-mail letters to Mikael Elsila or write to Allegro, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. Letters must be no more than 300 words. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of Local 802. NEW

On Nov. 7, voters across the country went to the polls and cast their votes for local elected representatives. Democrats in Virginia erased a 66-to-34 deficit in the House of Delegates while also winning the governorship and lieutenant governorship. The

All photos by Walter Karling The Jazz Mentors series, presented by Local 802 and the Council for Living Music, closed out 2016 with two strong events in November and December. Enthusiastic audiences filled Local 802’s Club Room to hear established

Bob Cranshaw was my hero. I was in awe of him long before we ever met. It is still almost unbelievable to me that I was able to know and become friends with my hero, but Bob regularly defied expectations.

It wasn’t a mid-life crisis, more of a mid-career awakening. Having opened up my heart and mind to the world as a musician, something else ended up in there. I was in my mid-30s, and having survived as a musician

Earlier this year, Local 802 member Maria Schneider submitted comments to the U.S. Copyright Office in response to its study on an important issue to musicians: the right of attribution and what are known as “moral rights.” This article is

Interview by Bob Pawlo Solo piccolo and flutist Mindy Kaufman was only 22 when she won a chair in New York Philharmonic, after performing for three seasons with the Rochester Philharmonic. She earned a bachelor of music from Eastman, where

Click to view full size events calendar  

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

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

We all know that music can heal. That’s why I’m pleased to announce the sixth annual Broadway Alzheimer’s iPod Drive, which runs from Aug. 1 to 19. As some of you know, my mother suffered from Alzheimer’s and was stripped

For over five decades, the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment has been the city’s main liaison to the film, TV and theatre industries in New York. This past year, we were thrilled when our portfolio expanded to include music.

Now in its 14th year, Winter Jazzfest has become one of the premier events in the New York cultural calendar. The festival showcases a broad spectrum of musical styles, featuring both established names and up-and-coming acts from New York City

E-mail letters to allegro@local802afm.org or write to Allegro, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. Letters must be no more than 300 words. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of Local 802. Response to

He may change his mind again. After all, Donald Trump’s stances on innumerable issues have flip-flopped over the years. That’s not to say that change in position is necessarily a bad thing. Even Barack Obama, the president who has done

For Regina Carter, a member of Local 802 since 2009, the violin isn’t simply an improvisational vehicle. It’s a passport to unexpected realms, cultures, sounds and worlds. Three decades ago, Carter was a member of the all-female pop-jazz quintet Straight

Joseph (Joe) McGinty has been placed on the AFM International Unfair List at the request of Local 802 due to his engagement of musicians at rates of pay and under standards and conditions considered unfair and unacceptable in the industry. 

Interview by Bob Pawlo Local 802 member Claire Khodara’s career spans 15 years, with various residencies and performances from the Arts Club and Shoreditch House in London to the Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel, the Blond at 11

Maggie Russell-Brown is the director of organizing and field services. If you’re playing a job where you feel disrespected or know that you aren’t being paid fairly, contact Maggie at (212) 245-4802, ext. 157 or mrussell@local802afm.org. You can also call

It pays to talk about “Out of the Pit” – two contestants in the June 2017 Broadway Boosters social media competition won amazing behind-the-scenes experiences with Broadway pit musicians by sharing information about the Times Square Alliance’s “Broadway Buskers: Out

I’m no genius. I’m just a musician who cares about the future of live music. I make my living as a music educator, but I consider myself a musician first, teacher second. And I think I might have a plan

This year is the 72nd anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt. This reminds me of the many times I’ve performed an unusual piece for narrator and piano by the Jewish composer Viktor Ullmann (1898-1944), who lived

Copyright and the protection of intellectual property in the digital age are priorities for Local 802 and the AFM. Over the last three months in these pages, copyright expert David Newhoff has contributed this guest column, which has discussed the

Although the Latin community prides itself on its diversity and the multiple, rich mix of cultures, Afro-Latinas and Afro-Latinos are often overlooked in terms of recognition, inclusion and contributions to black history. The multiple dimensions of Latin and Hispanic identity

When violist Rebecca Young joined Local 802 in 1985, she didn’t know that less than a year later, at age 19, she would become the New York Philharmonic’s youngest member (and the second youngest member in its history). Today, she

Allegro’s “Member to Member” column invites musicians to submit their own personal thoughts on music. We’ve recently received essays from members who are also songwriters. Below, Local 802 member Robert Grusecki and his creative partner and wife Anya Turner discuss

All photos below by Walter Karling. What makes a young musician decide to pursue her love for the art form as a profession? For each of us the impetus is different, but often some formative experience starts the journey. For

The business of music is more complicated than ever as musicians must coalesce traditional models of promotion and marketing with the brave new world of technology. Each method works in its own way depending on one’s target audience and budget.

I will play my 1,000th performance of “The Nutcracker” with the NYC Ballet Orchestra on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. When I joined the company almost 30 years ago, they took one glance and correctly grasped that I did

In a career that spans five decades and includes collaborations with some of the most iconic figures in modern jazz, NEA Jazz Master and Grammy winner Jack DeJohnette, a member of Local 802 for four decades, has established an unchallenged

David Wolfert, a member of Local 802 since 1972, is a Grammy and Emmy nominated composer, arranger, songwriter, orchestrator, producer and instrumentalist who has worked in all areas of music, including film, records, advertising and television. Wolfert’s songs have been

Can you believe that it is tax filing time – again?  With the new administration and new Congress, it is a time of uncertainty in terms of many things. When it comes to taxes, we are all wondering what changes

The Times Square concert series came to a close with final performances ending on Sept. 29. Local 802 and the Times Square Alliance’s music series “Broadway Buskers: Out of the Pit” spotlighted nearly 50 different Broadway musicians during the successful

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

E-mail letters to the editor or write to Allegro, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. Letters must be no more than 300 words. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of Local 802. MORE

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS TODAY: A composer is chosen by an advertising agency, usually after an exhaustive – often nonpaid – demo process to provide the musical score for a TV commercial. The spot, already filmed, has been edited using

This is a follow-up to my column in the March issue of Allegro and President Tino Gagliardi’s response. President Gagliardi feels that the 25 investment firms hired by the fund do better than an investment in an index fund. To

WILLIAM BROHN William Brohn, 84, the conductor, orchestrator, arranger and bassist, died on May 11. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1963. Mr. Brohn orchestrated more than a dozen Broadway musicals in his lifetime, including “Wicked,” “Miss

Ray Chew, a member of Local 802 since 1975, performs at the helm of award-winning musical events with the world’s most popular artists, including Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, Pitbull, Queen Latifah, James Taylor,

Hi there! If you are working a lot in the concert field, you may have been seeing a lot of me lately. I’m the one in the back of the hall with the glasses and big hair. As your union

At Local 802, musicians support their fellow artists. We just kicked off our second year of producing a monthly benefit concert called “Jazz in the Afternoon,” featuring top Local 802 talent, with all proceeds benefiting the Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency

As a new year begins, we can say for sure that the past 12 months were a great time for live percussion on Broadway. In 2016, the New York University Percussion Studies Program, under the direction of Jonathan Haas, hosted

E-mail letters to Allegro@Local802afm.org or write to Allegro, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. Letters must be no more than 300 words. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of Local 802. TRIBUTE TO

NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on May 23, 2017. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017 Meeting called to order at 11:08 a.m. by Financial Vice President Olcott. Present: Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Suttmann, Assistant to the

Pedro Díaz, a member of Local 802 since 1997, is considered one of the top English horn players in the world. A native of Puerto Rico, he received his early musical training at the Escuela Libre de Música, an esteemed

Pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal is a living legend. A member of Local 802 since 1964, Mr. Jamal was born in Pittsburgh, where he attended the same school as Erroll Garner. (In fact, as he likes to recount, both he

May 26 will mark the 30th anniversary of the passing of my great teacher, Carmine Caruso. (1904-1987) To commemorate that event and celebrate his life and legacy, I will host a tribute to the master on Tuesday, May 23, between

The following bylaw amendment will be proposed and voted on at the Local 802 membership meeting on Feb. 7, 2018: New language is underlined below: Article III, Section 5, Paragraph (a): “…A further portion of the amount thus collected by

Photo essay by Walter Karling  

I joined Local 802 so I could be a part of the Broadway scene. My principal instrument is guitar. I’m a sub for a Broadway show, and the two guitarists who hold the chairs have been very supportive and helpful.

Local 802’s online musician referral directory is now open for enrollment at NewYorkMusicians.com. Take advantage of this new promotional tool. It’s a benefit of being a member of Local 802 – and it’s FREE! Promote your services on two different

Isabelle Daskoff Samuels, 95, a violinist and a member of Local 802 for almost 30 years, died on July 20. A daughter, sister, friend and colleague, Isabelle was born in Illinois to Borris and Doris Daskoff. When she was a

A New York native, I moved down to Nashville five years ago just before it really started to blow up. Lured by its deep history and culture, I felt like I needed a change of pace to help broaden my

After many years of graduate school and freelance work in Boston’s classical, jazz, avant-garde and Third Stream scenes, I came to New York about two years ago and excitedly joined the Local 802 family. I think it’s important to advocate

The ten-year period from 1936 to 1946 marked the largest surge forward in the American labor movement, a Renaissance of American popular culture, and a leftward shift in the political culture of the nation. It also marked a heyday for

In 1970, I left the oppressive reigns of communism that had engulfed Hungary. I arrived in NYC, obtained asylum, and thereafter U.S. citizenship. My diploma from the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest enabled me to enter Juilliard and earn a

I joined Local 802 in order to sub on the Broadway musical “Bright Star.” It was a beautiful show with a great musical director and talented band, whose musicianship blew me away every night. Going from zero theatrical experience to

I joined Local 802 after I was called to play with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. I hope to explore and experience as much of New York City’s diverse musical offerings as I can during this exciting and inspiring time

ROBERT (BOB) KINDRED Robert (Bob) Kindred, 76, a tenor saxophonist and a member of Local 802 for almost 40 years, died on Aug. 15. Mr. Kindred first honed his talent in his native Philadelphia, working with organ trios led by

I re-joined Local 802 because there is no better way to connect with other professional musicians and to ensure that when I do perform, I am part of the professional music community of New York City. I’m working toward a

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017 Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. by President Gagliardi. Present: Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Brandford, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Kruvand, Sharman, Suttmann, Assistant to the President Bond. President Gagliardi

I joined Local 802 as part of a commitment to broaden my professional network in New York City. I am especially interested in meeting long-time union members whose successes and insights I can learn from, as well as members who

NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on Aug. 23, 2016. TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016 Meeting called to order at 11:03 a.m. by President Gagliardi. Present: Financial Vice President Olcott, Executive Board members Cutler, Hyde, Kruvand, Sharman, Suttmann, Assistant to

I joined Local 802 to stay informed about important issues for musicians in New York and am looking forward to meeting new musicians for possible collaborations, networking and community. I am a pop singer, recording artist and composer (with a

As a woodwind doubler, I felt New York offered the most diverse and robust market for my skill set. I joined Local 802 because it has long been a dream of mine to play Broadway shows, and succeed in New

I’m excited and feel very fortunate to be joining the amazing New York music community! I moved to New York and joined Local 802 to play trombone and serve as the associate conductor in the Cirque du Soleil theatrical show

I re-joined Local 802 after I was offered a job playing for a party for the AFL-CIO that required me to be in the union. I had let my membership lapse and felt guilty about it, since unions are so

RICK NORTHCUTT My brother and best friend, Richard Conn Northcutt, 74, an accordionist and a member of Local 802 since 1985, died on Oct. 14. Rick made his first “public appearance” in Norman, Oklahoma on Jan. 12, 1943 to our

I joined Local 802 once I began freelancing in the metro area. After studying with top horn players from the Metropolitan Opera and Philadelphia Orchestra, my teachers told me about the benefits of joining the union. I would really enjoy

I joined Local 802 to network with other musicians. My musical goal in NYC is to share my music with other people through performing. My most favorite and recent gig was a solo show at the Bitter End where I

I joined Local 802 to gain access to a greater network of musicians and work. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I’ve been in New York City for almost three years now, after earning my master’s in drumset performance at

I had records by Allen Eager in my collection while I was in high school and the Army, so when I moved to New York City in 1950, I was excited when a friend introduced me to him. He was

We lost a hero on Oct. 9. Conductors, singers, instrumentalists and music lovers all mourned the passing of Maestro Vincent La Selva, who died at the age of 88 just a day before the birthday of his muse, Giuseppe Verdi.

I joined Local 802 not only for the benefits that the union provides for those who seriously commit to being professional full-time musicians, but also for the fact that I’m confident in my musical abilities, which allow me to take

I recently moved to Manhattan and joined Local 802 to gain access to top performance opportunities, health insurance and a pension. I also joined the union as an investment in safe and fair working conditions. After going to school in

I joined Local 802 because I believe it is important to be an active member in my local music community. I learned the importance of unions from an early age. My father was a member of AFM Local 148-462 (Atlanta)

The British tenor man and club owner Ronnie Scott once told about his attempt to teach himself to play the guitar. He would get home from his club at about 3 a.m. and would begin playing a little exercise over

The Executive Board did not meet on July 4 or July 25. TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2017 Meeting called to order at 11:25 a.m. by President Gagliardi. Present: Financial Vice President Olcott, Executive Board members Brandford, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Sharman, Suttmann,

I first joined Local 802 in 1996 when I began working on music in advertising. I later got into songwriting and producing. My musical goal in New York City is to work on as much music as possible, including original

I joined the union because I was asked to play a beautiful, wacky Off Broadway musical called “Iowa” by Jenny Schwartz and Todd Almond, which appeared at Playwrights Horizons. It was a tremendous opportunity for me to play my own

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2016 Meeting called to order at 11:08 a.m. by President Gagliardi. Present: Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Brandford, Burridge, Cutler, Dougherty, Kruvand, Sharman, Suttmann, Assistant to the President Bond. Minutes from

I joined Local 802 because I believe in the importance of individual artists working together to accomplish feats that are impossible alone. Over-qualified and under-employed artists are exploited constantly throughout the world, and only through collective bargaining can we stand

The Actors Fund is your one-stop shop for almost any kind of service you can imagine. We offer counseling – both one-on-one and in groups – as well as information on all kinds of social services, including health insurance, housing,

It has been a professional dream of mine to be a member of Local 802. I decided to join because I recently relocated from Orlando, and I wanted to become a part of the musical theatre community here. I spent

New York University and Vice Dean Ted Magder have been placed on the AFM International Unfair List due to their unwillingness to cover Local 802 musicians under any agreement. NYU employs Local 802 members as independent contractors in its film

When I was a child, the only musical entertainment in our house other than my mother’s upright piano was an old Edison windup cylinder record player. We owned about a dozen cylinders, one of which was a 1917 World War

The deciding factor in my rejoining Local 802 was an offer to sub on the Broadway show “Indecent,” but it was really just the little push I needed to once again become part of what I think of as an

While I was a member of Local 802’s Executive Board I got to know Shorty Vest, the late secretary/treasurer of AFM Local 70-558 (Omaha) on one of his many trips to New York. Shorty had been a drummer around the

I joined Local 802 to be a part of New York’s professional music community and for the benefits of being part of a union, including both union resources and professional status. My goal in NYC is to continue to explore

I rejoined Local 802 after getting a call from Rolfe Kent looking for a pianist for Alexander Payne’s new film “Downsizing.” I had been a union member in the 1970s and 80s but then we moved to rural Connecticut where

My old friend, songwriter Margo Guryan, attended a party at Neil Diamond’s house. Three large tables were set up for the guests. At Margo’s table, Bob Dylan was seated to her right, and her husband David to her left. When

Since relocating to New York City two years ago, after completing my master’s degree from Bard College, I have begun pursing a career as a conductor, music director and pianist. I joined Local 802 because I had been contracted to

I started playing the bass in 1950, and in 1952 I was working sporadically with the Teddy Charles trio, with Don Roberts on guitar. Don left for a better paying job, and we were able to get Jimmy Raney to

When I was a boy, our family made a trip every summer from our home near Seattle to Othello, Washington, my birthplace and the home of my maternal grandparents. In the Seattle railroad station for the Milwaukee Road there was

I joined Local 802 because I’m a strong believer in the power of collective bargaining. The union provides wages and benefits that would not otherwise be available to working people. By being a part of Local 802, I join ranks

I joined Local 802 during my senior year of college at Harvard, while commuting to New York to work as a music assistant and copyist on the new Broadway musical “Waitress.” I had interned on the show at the American