Allegro

Currently Browsing: March, 2014

President's Report
Tino Gagliardi
Thank you to everyone who attended our New York City Opera gala, with special guest Placido Domingo. You made the event a success and ensured that the union’s Emergency Relief Fund has enough money to distribute to musicians who are

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Recently, Local 802 re-acquired a plaque, originally commissioned in 1947, honoring the 41 members of the union who died in World War II. Any member who may have information about them is asked to contact Bill Rohdin at (917) 405-5381

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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

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Recording Vice President's Report
John O'Connor
  It’s hard to think of Pete Seeger as gone. A man who took up the landscape in a very large way for seven decades cannot easily slip away from the way we become accustomed to great living people. Pete

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Dave Elsila
I was 16 years old when I first heard Pete Seeger at a concert in Detroit. His message of peace, freedom, and human rights seemed to pierce the clouds that hung over our country in the dark days of McCarthyism.

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What can happen when musicians are deemed "panhandlers"
Harvey Mars, Esq.
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

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Shane Gasteyer
The New York chapter of the Recording Musicians Association recently held its annual meeting at Local 802 with a look at the state of the recording industry in New York and a discussion of what musicians can do to protect

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Martha Hyde
The online health insurance marketplaces of the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) have been live for almost six months. In our region, New York and Connecticut are running their own, while the New Jersey and Pennsylvania marketplaces are being run by

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Tax tips for musicians
Each year, as the tax season approaches, Allegro publishes these updated tax tips for musicians provided by Local 802’s accounting firm, Gould, Kobrick & Schlapp P.C. OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS The following outline focuses on aspects of the tax law that

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Tax tips for musicians
Can musicians deduct massage therapy? According to IRS Publication 502, medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body. These expenses include

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Michael Chapin
In June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court struck down section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The decision has many tax implications. The federal government now recognizes legally married same-sex unions that were performed in states or foreign

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A conversation with Susan Jolles
Susan Jolles has enjoyed a long and varied career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player, teacher and arranger. A founding member of the Jubal Trio, she also appears with her daughter, violinist Renee Jolles, as the Jolles Duo. Jolles

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Guest Commentary
Marcia Peck
  We are back to work, at last. As most of you know, the musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra recently endured a 16-month lockout. The unprecedented length and severity of the lockout taught us some important lessons, which I’d like

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Reminiscences
Tony Salvatori
  It is with deep grief that I report the passing of Lloyd Michael Bergman, known to his friends and colleagues as Lloyd Michels. He died in mid-January at the age of 70. Those of us who believe in divine

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We are very excited to announce a new company that has been launched for the purpose of booking union bands and musicians for weddings, corporate parties, bar mitzvahs and other events. The company, First Choice Musicians, features a state-of the-art

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We are in awe of our musical elders, especially saxophonist Fred Staton, who recently celebrated his 99th birthday on Feb. 14 at Local 802. Fred was serenaded by the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band (pictured above; Fred Staton is seated

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I re-joined Local 802 because I was asked to play with the Trinity Baroque ensemble at St. Paul’s Chapel, and the job requires union membership. My musical goal in NYC is to help further the early music scene, where historically

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December 10, 2013 - January 14, 2014
NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on the following dates: Dec. 3, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 Meeting called to order at 11:09 AM. Present: President Gagliardi, Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President O’Connor,

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Musicians' Assistance Program
Siena Shundi, LCSW-R
The office of the Musicians’ Assistance Program is your one-stop shop for musicians’ health. We offer counseling – both one-on-one and in groups – as well as information on all kinds of social services, including health insurance, housing, food stamps

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The Band Room
Bill Crow
A few years ago, Howard Danziger had a solo piano gig in the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hotel on 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue. The hours were 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., a “power breakfast” session. The piano was

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