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Currently Browsing: October, 2019

October 23 Membership Meeting

President's Report

The upcoming Oct. 23 membership meeting at Local 802 is extremely important. There will be a presentation by the DCINY Organizing Committee outlining their successful efforts this past summer and an update on their continued fight for a first contract

MEMBERSHIP ALERT: NEW JERSEY FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

The New Jersey Festival Orchestra recently sent out a hiring notice for two engagements with the Irish Tenors in December. One concert is scheduled to be held in Westbury, the other in Brooklyn. Both of the venues are within Local

Photo op

Sometimes a “strike” is a good thing! The new 802 administration sponsored a recent Staff Appreciation Day at Frames Bowling Lounge. Executive Board member Janet Axelrod was on hand to take some candid pics…

Freelance classical rates to increase

Local 802’s rates covering freelance classical work increased on Sept. 11. To view the full rates, see www.Local802afm.org/contracts and select “Classical, Ballet & Opera Agreements” from the bottom menu.

HOW WE WON!

Lily Paulina and musicians of Distinguished Concerts International New York

Musicians of Distinguished Concerts International New York have won union representation! Their campaign was an inspiring grassroots effort and one of the most successful Local 802 organizing victories in recent memory. So how did they do it? Below, musicians reflect

Summer Stock Jr. does it again!

Bettina Covo

Summer is a time for barbecues and picnics, rest and relaxation, outdoor adventures – and, of course, summer camp. But not all camp experiences are created equal. In August, a lucky group of 28 students, who hailed mostly from NYC

Meet the Tony Awards orchestra

Maria DiPasquale

For 52 years, the annual Tony Awards ceremony has been broadcast from New York City into the homes of millions of Americans nationwide. On that Sunday night in June, from the minute the green light flicks on until the very

Views from the board

Kyle Hoyt

As Local 802 looks toward and adapts to the future, we should also look to the wisdom of the past. For instance, Senator Robert Wagner wrote the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 – also known as the Wagner Act.

The history, function and strengths of Local 802’s committee system

Sara Cutler

The committee system currently in place across the unionized music business in the U.S. is one of the linchpins of the fair representation we all expect and deserve from our union locals. It was not always thus. Up to 1980

Guest commentary

Artist Rights Alliance

Recently, the Department of Justice, the FTC, and the House Judiciary Committee antitrust subcommittee each announced investigations into the leading big tech platforms. To be sure that artists’ concerns are part of this review, the Artist Rights Alliance sent a

Women in Jazz Organization presents a unique collaboration with professional jazz musicians and college students

Emily Pecoraro

While the world of jazz music has always been a racially diverse place, it has historically shown a pretty stark gender imbalance: the number of female and non-binary musicians (particularly instrumentalists) is remarkably lower than the number of male musicians.

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

I would say that what I celebrate about being of Hispanic/Latin heritage is that I am what it truly means to be from Latin America, having an amazing mix of diverse countries in my blood that I am sure influences

Guest commentary

Pat White

Hey, union musicians! It’s time to get to know one of your sibling unions! We are the Theatrical Wardrobe Union (IATSE Local 764), and we’re celebrating our 100th anniversary this year. We’re the oldest wardrobe union in the world and

Photo op

Solidarity forever! At this year’s annual Labor Day Parade, the Patriot Brass Ensemble led the way up Fifth Avenue while Art Baron’s band performed rousing tunes from the Local 802 float. “I’m happy that I got the chance to play

Esteemed violinist KEN GORDON performs this year with the Local 802 Senior Concert Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Here’s his incredible story…

Bob Pawlo

Violinist Kenneth Gordon, a member of Local 802 since 1948, was recognized as a shining star early in his life. He made his professional solo debut at the age of 12 with the NBC Symphony under the direction of Leopold

Legal corner

Harvey Mars

In a startling development, the NLRB under President Trump recently ruled against AFM Local 23 (San Antonio, Texas) in a case that could send a chilling effect to other AFM locals across the country. But first, some background. The preamble

Jazz Mentors XX

Todd Bryant Weeks

This year, Jazz Mentors hit a milestone when we presented our 20th event. The series began in 2016 and has been one of our most innovative and compelling programs. Jazz Mentors connects up-and-coming musicians with some of New York

Winning on stage

Dr. Don Greene

Do you ever find yourself peaking for your audition too early or too late? Do you feel yourself drained of energy before you even get to the audition? Or are you feeling so mentally and physically fatigued that you aren’t

Requiem

Katreese Barnes, 56, a bandleader, music director, vocalist, composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, died on Aug. 3. She had been a member of Local 802 since 1989. Ms. Barnes was a two-time Emmy winner and a Grammy-nominated musician who orchestrated some

Federico Pérez Trasante

I joined Local 802 because I’m ready to bring my music to the next level. I wanted to join a union that is going to protect my future endeavors. My musical goal in NYC is to become part of the

Jordan Hirsch

I re-joined Local 802 after thinking a lot about how to reinvigorate the presence of the union in the NYC freelance scene. I knew had to start with myself. The immediate impetus was helping organize the pit for an Off

Pinghua (Felix) Ren

I joined Local 802 when I got a job as a substitute with the New York Philharmonic. My musical goal in NYC is to engage myself with the professional world and learn as much as possible. It’s always a privilege

Erin Cross

I joined Local 802 to seek out professional performing opportunities in New York City. Residing in the Hudson Valley, I want to go beyond my musical comfort zone to perform, grow and network with like-minded musicians. My musical goal in

Nathanael Udell

I rejoined Local 802 when I moved back to the East Coast from Bloomington, Indiana, where I am currently pursuing a doctorate degree. After completing all of my coursework and exit exams, I felt it would be a great move

Greg Murphy

I Joined Local 802 to be part of an organization that represents and advocates for musicians and composers like myself. I’m also interested in networking opportunities as well as seeking strategies aimed at negotiating and advocating for equitable compensation from

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2019 - Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019

Tuesday, August 13, 2019 Meeting called to order at 11:17 am by President Krauthamer. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Axelrod, Frawley, Kainuma, Paisner, Shankin. Minutes of August 6, 2019 reviewed. It was moved