At this year’s TMA conference, from left: Matt Brown, Charlie Rosen, Local 802 President Bob Suttmann, Michael Starobin, Local 802 Financial Vice President Karen Fisher and TMA President Heather Bohem

The finitude of life becomes more pressing the older I get, and frankly, I have little patience for anything that wastes my time. This year, I had the honor of attending the ROPA, TMA and ICSOM player conferences, and I promise you there were no wasted minutes at any of them. Even mealtimes were productively spent making new friends and reconnecting with old colleagues.

Quick note to our newer members: “player conferences” are almost like advocacy groups within the AFM. They are officially sanctioned by the AFM bylaws and have their own officers and annual gatherings. ISCOM is the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, ROPA is the Regional Orchestra Players Association and TMA is the Theatre Musicians Association.

ROPA Conference (Philadelphia)

First up was the ROPA Conference, held in Philadelphia in July, hosted by the Musicians of the Opera Philadelphia Ballet and the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestras and AFM Local 77. Unfortunately, since the Long Island Philharmonic went out of business in 2016, there has not been a ROPA member orchestra in our jurisdiction. Because of this, Local 802 — the largest and arguably most important local in the AFM — has not had a voice at ROPA until I began attending in 2022.

While I am proud to represent Local 802, share perspectives, and gather information, we also need rank-and-file as well as officer representation at these conferences. As one presenter wisely said: “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re on the menu.” Anyone who has been at the bargaining table knows the importance of that seat — and how it feels when decisions are made without our input.

Delegates to ROPA (as well as the other player conferences) return home renewed, with fresh ideas and a deepened sense of solidarity. An injury to one orchestra — like the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra that disbanded recently with no notice or communication to its musicians — is truly an injury to all. Whether you’re in a “Big Five” orchestra or a small regional ensemble, we share common challenges: dealing with management, navigating internal politics, advocating for fair wages, and ensuring health and safety on the job.

Key takeaways from ROPA included an emphasis on organizing and negotiation tactics, led by Rochelle Skolnick and the outstanding team at the AFM’s Symphonic Services Division (SSD). Most rank-and-file musicians never experience their orchestras from the perspective of the bargaining table. SSD’s negotiation workshop is an invaluable day of training — teaching participants how to prepare for negotiations, organize internally, and engage effectively at the table. Trust and strong communication between the orchestra committee and the union are essential. Another standout session explored what it takes to be an effective orchestra committee member.

Additional key topics included:

• Building power with community stakeholders and allies
• What to do if your orchestra is considering a strike
• Health and safety concerns for musicians
• Reporting problems and abuse using the #NotMe app

TMA Conference (Cleveland)

Next was the TMA Conference, hosted in Cleveland by AFM Local 4 and the Cleveland Orchestra. This was my first TMA conference. While most of my own work as a clarinetist in NYC had been on Broadway, I’ve been working almost exclusively with our freelance orchestras since I began at Local 802. At TMA, I learned a great deal about the unique challenges facing theatre musicians nationwide.

Highlights included the delegate reports and a panel on the history of TMA, which was born out of frustration with not feeling heard by the AFM. In fact, that’s the common origin story of all player conferences: the need for musicians to be heard and to have a voice not just at the bargaining table but by their own Union.

Despite competing priorities — particularly between traveling musicians and those in Rule 24 cities — it is critical that all theatre musicians find common ground. Divisions within a bargaining unit are like red meat to employers, who will inevitably exploit them. Conferences like TMA bring us together to build solidarity and tackle shared challenges.

Heather Boehm, TMA President, mentioned that Local 802 used to have 40 TMA members — now it’s about half that. I strongly encourage all Broadway musicians to consider joining this excellent organization.

Two of the most fascinating presentations came from Michael Starobin and Charlie Rosen, both award-winning Local 802 members. As pit musicians, we rarely get insight into what happens before that first rehearsal. They gave us a compelling “inside baseball” look at how a show evolves from a piano score to a full-blown Broadway production — highlighting the many negotiations, collaborations, and creative decisions involved. As Stephen Sondheim said, “Art isn’t easy.”

Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown with Local 802 Financial Vice President Karen Fisher

ICSOM Conference (Cleveland)

Immediately following TMA, ICSOM hit the ground running with workshops for delegates and local officers. We had informative presentations from the AFM SSD on the IMA and wage charts, and a sobering session titled “How Trump 2.0 Will Affect Us” by ICSOM attorney Kevin Case. Also on the agenda was a lively discussion about the controversial subject of individual overscale pay in our orchestras, as well as a discussion on audition and tenure language using the Milwaukee Symphony as an example of what one orchestra has done in an attempt to mitigate problems inherent in those procedures.

Fortunately, there were also moments of inspiration, such as a powerful performance by the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall, followed by a reception with the musicians. Former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown — who played a key role in the American Rescue Plan, which saved our (and many others’) pension funds — was a guest speaker. I had the honor of thanking him personally on behalf of Local 802 musicians, who were among the biggest beneficiaries of that legislation.

The conference closed with a “No Dictators” rally in downtown Cleveland, where several delegates joined with Local 4 musicians in a stirring rendition of Ode to Joy — a fitting end to a conference centered on unity, strength, and democracy.

Final Reflections

Throughout the year, I don’t often get one-on-one time with our members unless we’re in caucus or handling a specific issue. These conferences give local officers the opportunity to sit down and talk with delegates. It was wonderful to break bread with Stephanie Mortimer (standing in for Jeremias Sergiani-Velazquez) from the Metropolitan Opera, and Alina Kobialka and Sharon Yamada (Governing Board Member-at-Large) from the NY Philharmonic. Derek Ratzenboeck, delegate from the NYC Ballet Orchestra, was unable to attend.

My deepest appreciation to ROPA President Steve Wade, TMA President Heather Boehm, and ICSOM President Keith Carrick, Local 77 president Ellen Trainer, and Local 4 president Leonard DiCosmo for their tireless work, thoughtful planning, and generosity of spirit in organizing these important gatherings. I do not doubt that every delegate and local officer left with renewed hope and optimism for the future of our industry.