Allegro
Currently Browsing: September, 2007
Broadway Promo Wages Approach $1 Million
AFM Convention Reduces Dues on this Work
If you’re a Broadway musician who has ever recorded a cast album, you know that the music can often end up in unlikely places, such as jingles, elevators or even airlines. But there is a union contract in place that
Union Joins Coalition Against the War
NO WAR! Local 802 members protested the Iraq War last year. This year marked the fourth anniversary of the invasion. Photo by Joy Portugal. Peace now! Local 802 recently became the 160th union to affiliate with U.S. Labor Against the
A Partnership Continues
802’s Support of Festival Yields Results
Clarice Mazanec starred in “Hot and Sweet,” a musical produced last year at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Local 802 supports the festival as a way to introduce the union to new musicians and as a way to keep
President’s Report
The Best – and Worst – of the AFM Convention
When Allegro last went to print, I was in the midst of attending the 97th AFM Convention in Las Vegas. Much of what must be reported about the convention is negative, but in spite of that fact, I think Local
Looking Into Off Broadway Recordings
President Landolfi has appointed a committee to review and make recommendations regarding the use of the AFM’s low budget sound recording agreement and Local 802’s limited pressing agreement for the recording of material from Off Broadway theatrical productions. Landolfi announced
Convention Notebook
Recording Vice-President's Report
As the largest local of the AFM, Local 802 played an important role at the AFM’s 2007 convention. On several issues, Local 802 was the most vocal advocate not only for our members, but also for musicians across the nation.
Contract Signed at Hilton Theatre
The Local 802 Executive Board has approved an agreement with the New York Theatre Company for performances at the Hilton Theatre. Musicians who have worked on Broadway during the term of the last agreement (2004 to 2007) will remember that
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Views from the Board
Why can’t we all just get along? I heard this wish expressed often at my first AFM convention this June. After listening for a while, it occurred to me that it was only half a thought, although the second half
Focus on Music Prep
Special congratulations to Local 802 member Marc Shaiman on receiving ASCAP’s prestigious Henry Mancini Award. As a composer and arranger for recordings, TV and theatre, he has reached the heights of our industry. The Music Prep Department and Local 802
Rights on the Radio
Music & Politics
As many of you are aware, musicians receive no compensation when their work is played on over-the-air radio. Over the last 10 years, Congress established a performance right for satellite, cable and Internet radio. But virulent opposition from the broadcasting
Introducing Union Staff
KAREN FISHER Karen Fisher passed her six-month probation on July 2 and has joined the permanent staff of Local 802 as concert rep and organizer. A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music with a bachelor of music in clarinet
The Beat on the Street
Labor Day
Are you an “artist” or a “worker”? Why should musicians care about the labor movement? Photo by Mikael Elsila. When I work, I’m told what to play, how to play, when to show up, what to wear, when to go
Musicians are Workers, Too
Musicians' Assistance Program
For most of us, Labor Day weekend marks the symbolic end of summer, even though warm weather continues and the official change of season doesn’t arrive for another few weeks. In addition to parades and picnics, we usually associate Labor
When Can You Be Fired, Legally?
Legal Corner
I recently received a phone call from a musician who was just terminated from a long-standing job he had as a church organist. He had no written contract with the church and had not been hired for any specific period
The Musicians’ Voice
The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. The letters published here do not necessarily express the views of Local 802. Letters must be 300 words or less. Send them to Allegro, c/o
Negotiations Roundup
“CATCH ME IF YOU CAN” This production was negotiated with the Charlotte Wilcox Company as a one-week pre-Broadway reading. The side musician scale is $1,515.75 for a 40-hour, six-day week and $42.60 per hour, with a minimum two-hour call. The
Is Your Information Correct?
Membership Alert
The 2008-2009 Local 802 directory will be published at the end of this year. Thousands of musicians receive a copy of this book and use it as a valuable resource. Here’s how to check if we have your correct information:
Remembering Abe Rosen
Reminiscences
Abraham Rosen, 91, harpist supreme, legal scholar, union activist in search of justice, a fair wage scale and public respect and appreciation for his fellow musicians and colleagues, died on May 30. One of a family of three brother harpists,
Executive Board Minutes
May 29, 2007 -- July 10, 2007
TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2007 Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Executive Board members Fein, Giannini, Hunt, Johansen, Roach, Schaffner, Schwartz and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. Financial Vice President Blumenthal excused on union business. Recording Vice
Bylaw Proposal
HONOR MEMBERSHIP BYLAW The following bylaw proposal is hereby submitted for the Oct. 17 membership meeting; see back cover for details. Whereas: Professional musicians are often faced with the need to re-locate in order to continue their careers, and Whereas:
Breaktime Answers
Crossword and Sight-Singing Challenge
Sight-Singing Answer:“Kol Nidre” from the Yom Kippur evening service Crossword Answers: ACROSS 1- Disdainful SNIFFY 7- Jamaican musical style SKA 10- Sing like Ella SCAT 14- 10 across, maybe LALALA 15- What a big spender may pick up TAB 16-
Bill Crow’s Band Room
Fred Griffen sent me a couple of stories from his career as an orchestral horn player: “My first job out of college was with an orchestra in Texas. During my first season there, Andre Previn was a guest conductor. One