Allegro
Currently Browsing: May, 2016
Local 802 Honors Maestro James Levine
President's Report
In mid-April, we learned that one of the great musical luminaries of our time is stepping down. Maestro James Levine will end his role as music director at the Metropolitan Opera at the end of this season. He will remain
The Next Generation
The New York Philharmonic cares about the next generation of musicians! The orchestra runs Philharmonic Academy Jr., which provides training to young musicians. One of its partners is the Harmony Program, which gives instruments and free daily instruction to more
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
Local 802 experienced a slight loss in 2015
Financial Vice President's Report
One of my duties as financial vice president is to assist in the production of the annual audit of the local’s finances and to report the results to the membership. The audit was completed and reviewed by our accountants, Gould,
Some one-time factors explain our $24K loss
Controller's Report
For the 12-month period ended Dec. 31, 2015, Local 802 realized a loss of $24,761. The audited financial statements appear in the printed issue of the May 2016 Allegro. The Statement of Activities is relatively consistent when comparing 2014 to
Endorsements are never made lightly
Music & Politics
Presidential candidates were not the only individuals on the ballot for Local 802 members on April 19. Though Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and John Kasich deservedly received the bulk of the attention, many members on Long
How we’re strengthening our labor movement
Music & Politics
Almost anyone who’s been following labor law recently knows that the Supreme Court deadlocked 4-to-4 on an important case called Friedrichs vs. California State Teachers Association. For the moment, this preserves the right of public sector unions to collect union
A brief history of New York City’s Cabaret Laws
Labor History Month
New York’s cabaret laws had been on the books since 1927, born in the wanton days of the jazz age, but only really hit their damaging stride in 1943, when all musicians working in New York City were made to
‘Pins and Needles’
Labor History in Musical Theatre
Coinciding with the recent 105th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and just in time for Labor History Month, NYU has revived and restored the 1937 musical “Pins and Needles,” one of the first musical theatre works to deal with
‘Love Songs from the Liberation Wars’
Labor History in Musical Theatre
On June 17, 1943, ten thousand workers, mostly African-American women, went on strike at the R.J. Reynolds tobacco company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It was a dramatic story of courage. Poor workers, who were fed up with the brutal conditions
Union Justice: How the Local 802 Trial Board Works for You
Legal Corner
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
Classical Concerts Go Multimedia
Something new has come to classical performances. The debut season of the Philharmonia Orchestra of New York brought unprecedented visual spectacle to two landmark symphonies of Mahler and Berlioz in a pair of concerts under conductor Atsushi Yamada. Not only
Top of His Game
Contractor Michael Keller offers hard-won tips and advice to the next generation
Born in Queens, drummer Michael Keller has enjoyed a long and varied career in music. A member of Local 802 since 1966, Keller has played numerous Broadway shows and also toured with Dionne Warwick and the Fifth Dimension. For 15
Jazz in the Afternoon
Photo Feature
At Local 802, musicians support their fellow artists. We’ve recently begun producing a monthly benefit concert called “Jazz in the Afternoon,” featuring top Local 802 talent, with all proceeds benefiting the Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund. Shows typically take
From New York to Ethiopia…and Back
How I adopted my daughter and formed an international nonprofit - all while performing as a Broadway musician
In the early 1990s, after I earned my master’s degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music, I did what I always wanted to do: I moved east to NYC to become a freelance musician. Wide-eyed and eager, I called up
‘What are you doing down here?’
Local 802 member Nicola Vazquez gives an insider's look at busking in the New York City subways
People always ask me, “What are you doing down here?” I have been a professional busker in the NYC subway with MTA’s Music Under New York program since 2004. I was born on the Lower East Side and grew up
33 Years
The New York Pops celebrates its birthday with the next generation
Happy birthday, New York Pops! The orchestra celebrated its 33rd birthday in style at Carnegie Hall, where students from the Pops’ “Kids on Stage” music education program performed. The Pops is the largest independent pops orchestra in the country and
In the Studio: Sesame Street
Photo Feature
Grover, Elmo, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch are all backed up by Local 802 musicians who record for “Sesame Street” under a union contract. Allegro photographer Kate Glicksberg was granted access to a recent session at the Yellow Sound
Executive Board Minutes
February 2, 2016 - February 9, 2016
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 Meeting called to order at 11:00 a.m. by President Gagliardi. Present: Financial Vice President Olcott, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Brandford, Cranshaw, Cutler, Dougherty, Hyde, Kruvand, Suttmann. Minutes from January 19, 2016 reviewed. It
‘Why we joined the union’
While in NYC, I happened to stroll by the Local 802 building, saw the eighth note on the sign, and walked in off the street. I was directed to the second floor, where I was welcomed as a fellow musician,
‘Why we joined the union’
I joined Local 802 when I won a role in “School of Rock: The Musical.” I was cast as Freddy and I play drums in the production. So I get to be a professional musician and actor at 13 years
‘Why we joined the union’
I transferred to Local 802 when I got involved playing bass in the new Broadway musical “On Your Feet,” which I also co-orchestrated. My musical goals in New York City are to expand my talents in the best city in
‘Why we joined the union’
The first thing I was always taught to do when I was a young musician coming up in Birmingham, Alabama was to join the musicians’ union. When I was a music student at the University of North Texas, I immediately
‘Why we joined the union’
I have lived in Fairfield County, Connecticut since 1984. I have fallen in love with the arts community in that area, but I also truly appreciate the high caliber of talent available in New York City! I am looking for
Welcome to the Actors Fund
Yes - it's for musicians, too!
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,