Allegro
Currently Browsing: January, 2017
The Year in Review
President's Report
I want to wish a Happy New Year to everyone. It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by and that so much has happened in our union and in our country. As we reflect on our accomplishments and
Local 802 Endorses Bill De Blasio
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
Surviving in Trump’s America
Financial Vice President's Report
I expressed my extreme distaste for Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy in the November edition of Allegro. Many readers expressed gratitude for my take and other locals posted my column on their web sites. Few members questioned my position, though some
Got the post-election blues?
News from the Actors Fund
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,
Moving Forward
A look back at the first year in office - and setting goals for the future
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
NYU on Unfair List
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
Cultivating Community and Building Collective Strength for the New Year
Music & Politics
United, we are strong! On Dec. 2, over 50 Local 802 members arrived at our quarterly membership meeting to discuss politics, legislation, the election and our communities. We discussed the Trump administration’s likely impact on the National Labor Relations Board,
The language of copyright evolves with technology
Copyright considerations for music professionals
Copyright is a tricky branch of law to talk about and it always has been. This is partly because the rationales for its existence are both commercial and philosophical, and so contemporary discussions about copyright often vacillate between these sometimes
My hero, Bob Cranshaw
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.
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
When it comes to Trump, time will tell
Member to Member
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
The Star-Spangled Banner: a question for our country
My View
The national anthem that we all so proudly sing is the only national anthem in the world that begins and ends with a question mark. Not a period. Not an exclamation point. Let’s think about those questions each time we
Showdown
When union rights come under fire, it’s time for labor activists to stand up
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 musical journey of David Wolfert
Feature Interview
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
Collecting Money for Musicians
The Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund works to serve the film, television and music communities and to meet the needs of film musicians whose talents fuel the industry. To this end, the fund is pleased to provide ongoing updates to
Want to play percussion on Broadway?
Students get inside tips from Local 802 musicians
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
Jazz in the Afternoon
Photo Feature
Photos by Bettina Covo At Local 802, musicians support their fellow artists. We’ve just finished our first year of producing a monthly benefit concert called “Jazz in the Afternoon,” featuring top Local 802 talent, with all proceeds benefiting the Local
In the Studio
Cast album recording sessions bring out the best
Two Broadway shows recently recorded their cast albums under union contracts. Allegro photographer Walter Karling was granted access to sessions of “Holiday Inn: The New Irving Berlin Musical” and “A Bronx Tale”. HOLIDAY INN: THE NEW IRVING BERLIN MUSICAL A
Top Talent: Senior Concert Orchestra of New York
Dress Rehearsal at Carnegie Hall
Photo essay by Walter Karling
Remembering trombonist James D. Thompson
Reminiscences
My brother, the trombonist Jim Thompson, was born in 1925 in East McKeesport, Pennsylvania. As a boy, he learned how to play trombone thanks to his paper route. One of his customers was a trombonist and Jim asked him for
Executive Board Minutes
August 2, 2016 - August 9, 2016
NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on July 5, July 12, July 19 and July 26. TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2016 Meeting called to order at 11 a.m. by President Gagliardi. Present: Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President Schwartz,
‘Why we joined the union’
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
‘Why we joined the union’
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
‘Why we joined the union’
I have been in the music industry for most of my life. I’ve worked as a singer and pianist, then as an audio engineer and producer, then did digital business development for major record labels and music publishers. About a
‘Why we joined the union’
I rejoined the union in order to sub on Broadway musicals. I am very appreciative of the protections and benefits that the union offers to working musicians. A life of self-employment is not always an easy one, and it’s nice
‘Why we joined the union’
I rejoined Local 802 to keep connected to the New York music scene and because I believe in the work and mission of the union. My musical goal in NYC is to play venues, open myself up for studio work
The Band Room
January '17
When I joined the Army in 1946 at Fort Lewis, Washington, I managed to get assigned to the 51st Army Band, which was newly forming there. I bought a used 1930 Model A Ford coupe (for $50) so I could