Allegro
Currently Browsing: June, 2008
FREE LIVE MUSIC!
PIANO IN THE PARK Summer, outdoor music and union musicians: the perfect mix. Local 802 is contributing money to help pay for Bryant Park’s free “Piano in the Park” series, which this year includes evening and trio performances on a
Game On!
New AFM Videogame Agreements Gain Traction
Fighter jets duke it out in the upcoming videogame “Tom Clancy’s HAWX: High Altitude Warfare.” As anyone who plays videogames knows, they’ve come a long way since the bloops and the bleeps of the 1970’s. Now there are fully-scored videogame
Major Freelance Orchestras Reach Agreement
The American Symphony Orchestra (above) and the Opera Orchestra of New York are two of the ensembles that have signed new agreements with Local 802. Photos © Steve J. Sherman. Recently, several major freelance orchestras have reached tentative agreements with
President’s Report
Protecting Our Pension Fund
As those members who subscribe to 802 Notes are already aware, I am working to schedule a meeting with representatives of our pension fund (AFM-EPF) for our membership. This would be a follow-up to the meeting which was held in
Hope for Healthcare on the Horizon
Recording Vice President's Report
As Allegro went to press it seemed clearer than ever that the Democratic presidential nominee will be Barack Obama. The primary campaign may finally be over. While it has seemed tortuously long and, at times, divisive, it has produced an
Why Unions Do Politics
Organizing Matters
Unions improve lives! This chart shows some differences between strong union states (in black) versus weak union states (in grey). Scan your eyes over the full sized version to look at the differences. Unions matter! Worldwide, the basic purpose of
Should Musicians Play for Free?
Beat on the Street
As a violinist, sometimes new and up-and-coming orchestras will ask me to rehearse and concertize for free. Personally, I don’t perform unless I am getting paid. I believe that it is inappropriate for orchestras and other organizations to ask this
The Perils of Playing for Free
Here is a scenario: You spend time and money auditioning for an unadvertised position in a new orchestra. You are promised that you will be paid “close to New York scale,” you will appear on “The Apprentice,” play movie recording
Money & Medicine
How to Be an Activist in the Doctor’s Office
You are sitting in your doctor’s office. He or she is ready to prescribe a medication for you. You wonder how much the drug will cost you. The doctor may be ordering a procedure, an MRI or a series of
What Did You Learn In School Today?
Music & Power
This is the first installment of a series of articles which will try to explain a new effort by Local 802 to promote live music. The articles will chronicle a personal journey in which I learned about some new union
On the Road: “Freeway Philharmonic”
Movie Review
Karen Shinozaki Sor, a freelance road warrior and one of the subjects in the film “Freeway Philharmonic,” about the lifestyle of freelance classical musicians. Freelance musicians in New York City can see what the road life is like on the
Gay Pride Month is Here
Musicians' Assistance Program
June marks Gay Pride Month, a time when members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and the greater community at large reflect on the gay rights movement — how far it’s come and how much further
Why Did You Join the Union?
From time to time, as space permits, Allegro will spotlight some new or readmitted members. Paul Heaney My principal instrument is guitar. I joined Local 802 because I want to sub on Broadway, get on a Broadway tour and eventually —
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 Local
Off Broadway Roundup
Mary Donovan Musicians performing on City Center’s production of DAMN YANKEES, scheduled to run from June 9 through July 27, will earn wages, benefits and other terms and conditions based on the current agreement between Local 802 and City Center “Encores!”
Negotiations Roundup
‘CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.’ The production was negotiated 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 music director earns a 50
Executive Board Minutes
March 25, 2008 -- April 29, 2008
TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2008 Meeting called to order at 11:06 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Roach, Schwartz and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. Recording Vice President Dennison excused out of town.
Bylaw Resolution
The following bylaw resolution is hereby submitted by the Local 802 Executive Board for the Oct. 22 membership meeting. STRIKE FUND BYLAW Whereas, Local 802 has had a Members’ Benefit Strike Fund for many years, and Whereas, Local 802 has
Breaktime Answers
Crossword and Sight-Sing Challenge
SIGHT-SINGING ANSWER“Sailor’s Hornpipe” CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Across 1- Defeat decisively DRUB 5- Muse of poetry ERATO 10- Read Braille FEEL 14- Wax not WANE 15- Submarine gadget SONAR 16- Trick RUSE 17- Banjo whiz Davis EDDY 18- “_____ Doll” SATIN
Bill Crow’s Band Room
While we were getting ready for a concert at St. Peter’s church with Lou Caputo’s Not So Big Band, guitarist Jeff Tillman told me about a jazz concert he once played with Harold Lieberman when Harold was the music director