Allegro

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Allegro (July-August 2020)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE (some links below will open up PDF’s or take you to outside sources) Click here first for auditions, job postings, advertising and special offers. President’s report by Adam Krauthamer Financial Vice President’s report by Karen Fisher FROM

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President's report
No one will ever forget the summer of 2020. Many of us experienced the loss or illness of loved ones, the savage lack of justice in our country, the hope that change is possible, and the pain of not being

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Karen Fisher
Before 2019, Local 802 saw many years of declining finances culminating in a massive deficit by year end 2018 predominantly brought about by heavy spending on legal, public relations, and personnel. When the current administration took office in January 2019,

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Arts vs. chaos
Financial vice president's report
Karen Fisher
from the November 2020 issue of Allegro magazine

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Learn about our new members by clicking on their names below. (If you’re a member of Local 802 and want to add a website to your own profile (or change your profile in any way), log in at https://info.local802afm.org and

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Winning on Stage
Dr. Don Greene
Continuing your learning during the pandemic By Dr. Don Greene The Covid-19 crisis has changed our lives in many ways. It affects our continuing process of learning and improvement. Conventional in-person classroom learning is now morphing into e-learning. Traditional learning

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What happens if an orchestra stops paying pension?
A case study of the Neshoma Orchestra
Harvey Mars
What happens if an orchestra stops paying pension? As a result of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 — the statute that guides the operation of defined benefit pension plans — employers that are contractually obligated to remit

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The Band Room
Bill Crow
Back in the 1940s Randy Brooks had a popular big band that featured his trumpet playing. He prided himself on his powerful high register. When they played an engagement in Montreal, Randy made a publicity guest appearance during the day

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May 19, 2020 to July 28, 2020
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Meeting called to order at 11:08 am by Financial Vice President Fisher via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Axelrod,

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Aug. 25, 2020 to Sept. 22, 2020
Tuesday August 25, 2020 Meeting called to order at 11:05 am by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board

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Winning on Stage
Dr. Don Greene
Developing your creative abilities during the pandemic By Dr. Don Greene During these challenging times, you probably have more free time on your hands than you are accustomed to as a musician and creative artist. This may be a great

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Winning on Stage
Dr. Don Greene
Endurance Training for Covid-19 By Dr. Don Greene Greetings, musicians, from a safe social distance! Even though we are many months into the pandemic, it is not even close to being over. We are still being swamped by the first

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Karen Fisher
There are many aspects to the role of Financial Vice President of Local 802 but the responsibilities are mainly twofold: to oversee the financial interests of the local, and to manage and negotiate the freelance concert, ballet, and opera contracts.

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Todd Byrant Weeks
The Part Time Jazz Faculty at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music are actively negotiating a “Covid-19 Recovery Plan” with management there, in the face of a steep decline in student enrollment and a university shortfall reputed to

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Tribute to Joseph Rabbai
JOE RABBAI died on Aug. 11, 2020 at the age of 81 after being a member of Local 802 since 1961. Below is a tribute submitted by his daughter Debora. Joseph Rabbai was born on August 23, 1938 in Bridgeton,

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Aug. 4, 2020 to Aug. 18, 2020
Tuesday, August 4, 2020 Meeting called to order at 11:05 am by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board

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New York City Opera united!
Legal corner
Harvey Mars
Even a global pandemic can’t stop musicians from engaging in protected activity. A case in point is the August 15, 2020 leafleting of a performance at Freeman Stage in Selbyville, Delaware by musicians of the New York City Opera orchestra.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Donald Chan
A musician of diverse and accomplished talents, Donald Chan has worked as conductor, music director, and composer with the most esteemed names in American Music. A member of Local 802 since the early 1960s, he earned his M. S. degree

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Winning on Stage
Dr. Don Greene
Neurochemicals and musicians By Dr. Don Greene As you are well aware, the pandemic and chaos hit all of us hard many months ago, especially musicians in New York. That was followed by shock and denial, anger, negotiating, depression, and

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THE BAND ROOM
September 2020
Bill Crow
Stories heard from Orin O'Brien, Herb Gardner and John Clay (via Gene Perla)

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How an election’s results can be challenged
Legal corner
Harvey Mars
While election challenges have taken prominence in national politics over the last 20 years since the aftermath of Bush v. Gore, 121 S. Ct. 525 (2000), election protests are actually nothing new to labor lawyers and union activists. Since the

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Learn about our new members by clicking on their names below. (If you’re a member of Local 802 and want to add a website to your own profile, log in at https://info.local802afm.org and edit your information. For help, send an

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Learn about our new members by clicking on their names below. (If you’re a member of Local 802 and want to add a website to your own profile, log in at https://info.local802afm.org and edit your information. For help, send an

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MAKING HISTORY
The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corp Marching Band becomes the first LGBTQ+ band to perform in the Macy’s parade – and we did it during a pandemic!
Steve McLure
from the December 2020 issue of Allegro

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The Band Room
Bill Crow
Here’s a story Steve Brauner got from his dad, Buzzy: The Tommy Dorsey band bus was traveling over the Canadian border with Tommy’s mom aboard. At the checkpoint, a customs agent wanted to check Ma Dorsey’s bag. She refused, saying

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The Supreme Court as ‘Wizard of Oz’
Legal corner
Harvey Mars
When I was much younger — and I mean much younger — I was under the false impression that the federal judiciary was immune from political influences. After all, Article III of the Constitution provides that all federal judges are

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Legal corner
Harvey Mars
How can we engage in effective collective bargaining negotiations during a pandemic when there is no real possibility that live performances will resume anytime soon? This is a question that haunts me morning, noon and night. My first inclination is

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THE BAND ROOM
July/August 2020
Bill Crow
By Bill Crow Do you remember double-talk? It was the clever use of nonsense words to confuse and amuse the listener. Professor Irwin Corey used it in his act, as did Danny Kaye, Sid Caesar and a number of other

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Sept. 29, 2020 to Oct. 20, 2020
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Meeting called to order at 11:05 am by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board

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Winning on Stage
Dr. Don Greene
The holidays during the pandemic By Dr. Don Greene Even before the pandemic, the holidays were always the most stressful time of year. The holiday season can place enormous demands on your time, energy, finances, and patience. There is no

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HELP FOR MUSICIANS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS 1. Start at the Local 802 resource center at www.local802afm.org/resource-center 2. Go to the Local 802 Musicians Emergency Relief Fund at https://erf.local802afm.org 3. Looking for counseling? Help with substance abuse? Someone to talk

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HELP FOR MUSICIANS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS 1. Start at the Local 802 coronavirus update page at www.bitly.com/local-802-coronavirus 2. Go to the Local 802 Musicians Emergency Relief Fund at www.Local802erf.org/how-to-apply 3. Looking for counseling? Help with substance abuse? Someone to

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THE YEAR IN REVIEW
President's report
The outcome of last year’s 802 election was virtually an entirely newly elected leadership at Local 802. Our administration was given a mandate to start changing the way our union works. It was a priority to hit the ground running

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Karen Fisher
Four years ago, Allegro published an explainer of the Single Engagement Classical Concert contract. Since then, Local 802 has added just over 2,000 new members, many of whom may be working under that contract (Appendix A), or the Ballet/Opera Single

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Notes from the field
Leo Gertner
Unions are built on the principle of solidarity – an injury to one is an injury to all. It means that we stand up for each other when injustices are being done against us, our colleagues, or sometimes in our

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The many lives of Buster Williams
Peter Zimmerman
By PETER ZIMMERMAN podunkpete@gmail.com Back in 1989, Buster Williams formed the first incarnation of his Something More quartet. Last year, he released the group’s ninth recording, called “Audacity.” It was a decade in the making and the bassist’s 16th overall

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President's report
By Local 802 President Adam Krauthamer Recently I had the privilege to participate on a Zoom panel at Yale School of Music — my alma mater — with students who will soon be graduating and joining the workforce. The question

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HOW BLACK MUSICIANS HELPED REFORM LOCAL 802
Black History Month
Jacob Goldberg
In January 1928, black musicians sent a petition to Local 802’s governing board. Its content remains unknown, but the board perused it, acknowledged the political activities of its “colored members” and, then, from all indications, never responded. No doubt black

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The next generation of jazz students are invited to Local 802 on Thursday, Jan. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. when Jazz Mentors hosts its next student jam, led by the Jazz Mentors Band (JMB). For more information or

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Recording Vice President's Report
Andy Schwartz
By Andy Schwartz The COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much of the way we at Local 802 are managing your union. While Adam, Karen and I continue to work remotely, seemingly 24/7, to communicate with members and employers and handle

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President's report
By Adam Krauthamer There are no words to describe the evolving crisis that all of us are experiencing right now. The pain and confusion are possibly at the highest level that many of us have ever felt, and I don’t

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Views from the board
Elise Frawley
By Elise Frawley It’s 6:58 p.m., and I find myself once again unpacking my viola in my living room, a world away from any backstage space I may have been in months ago. Opening a window, I gingerly angle my

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Karen Fisher
The musicians of the Stamford Symphony Orchestra (first photo below) ratified their contract on Dec. 10, 2019. The new, two-year agreement includes significant increases in wages, health benefits, cartage, and mileage, as well as new language covering educational and community

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BEFORE…AND AFTER
Financial vice president's report
Karen Fisher
  By Karen Fisher Throughout my childhood, it seemed that nearly every event in my family was defined as having happened “before Norman died” or “after Norman died.” Norman was a great-uncle I never met but whose life became somewhat

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The Broadway League recently released its 22nd annual demographics report, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the theatregoers who attended Broadway shows in New York City last season. It also compares current Broadway theatregoing habits in New York City to

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Local 802 officers and staff, wearing safety masks, mail out recording checks to members
Despite the fact that our building is shut down, several of our key staff in the Electronic Media Department – including Recording Vice President Andy Schwartz and some his team pictured below (Cathy Calabrese, Steve Singer, Bob Pawlo, Alex Blake

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Small, tangible steps can lead towards larger goals
Women of 802
The Women of 802 Committee
If you were to interview the few thousand women and women-identifying members at Local 802, the largest local of the AFM, you would have thousands of perspectives on what it is to be a musician in any given field, thousands

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Financial vice president's report
Karen Fisher
By Karen Fisher The week of March 9, 2020 began the most extraordinary and surreal time for our country since 9/11. The precautions taken to stem the spread of COVID-19 extended to the widespread closure of nearly every arts institution

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Are you teaching online during the coronavirus crisis?
You can use LS-1 contracts to get onto the union’s health plan!
(Also see: “Making Videos Under Quarantine: How to protect yourself and your fellow musicians” AND “Working at home — while still collecting union benefits”) Are you teaching online during the coronavirus crisis, using Skype, Zoom or another platform? Do you

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
How the simple act of sharing our art can break down barriers, promote human rights and spread peace
Marshall Coid
Even as Washington escalates a noisy trade war with China and ugly political squabbles fill the headlines, union members on Broadway are creating peace here at home — quietly, and sometimes historically. Musicians and actors from “Chicago” recently honored two

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WHAT’S A UNION GOOD FOR, ANYWAY?
Notes from the field
Leo Gertner
In our busy lives, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of what matters, whether it’s friends, family, last year’s New Year’s resolutions, or professional goals. As we continue our day-to-day hustle in the new year, we may get

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Songs of Support
Views from the board
Janet Axelrod
By Janet Axelrod I don’t think I’m the only one who has had more offers for recording work in the past few weeks than in a long time. A particular offer was special. It came because I’m a third of

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Musicians often live without a safety net. That’s where we come in. The Local 802 Musicians’ Emergency Relief Fund is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide Local 802 members with reliable assistance in times of need – like

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DCINY Orchestra Musicians
DCINY musicians have been very busy since the last time we reported in Allegro. As many of you know, Distinguished Concerts International New York has been operating as a producer and presenter of music out of Carnegie Hall and Lincoln

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THE CASE ACT CAN HELP MUSICIANS
Local 802 Artist Rights Caucus
Ken Hatfield
For the musicians who remember what our industry was like before the digital paradigm shift, it is abundantly clear that others are now profiting even more from our work than we are. This is especially true for recorded music. For

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The 2020 census is here! For various reasons, in past years a significant number of New Yorkers have not participated in the census. Without a complete count, our city’s fair share of congressional representation is at stake, as are billions

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Gains made, but the fight for streaming continues
Elise Frawley and Joanna Maurer
We have just come off of the long, drawn-out negotiation between the AFM and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. At the time of writing this article, a tentative agreement has been reached subject to ratification. The negotiation

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Legal corner
Harvey Mars
The start of a new year brings with it the promise of new possibilities and beginnings. Unfortunately, this is not the case with labor relations in the United States. The Trump NLRB’s assault on workers’ legal ability to organize and

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Local 802 member Steven Behnke has created a Facebook resource group because, he tells Allegro, “it’s really important musicians have a digital home while we’re going through one of the greatest challenges our community has ever faced.” Behnke works with

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Pride Month 2020
Jerame Davis
By Jerame Davis Pride month is typically when the LGBTQ community takes to the streets to be as visible as possible. Big cities and even small towns become awash with rainbows as we show our pride in parades and festivals.

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IN SOLIDARITY, THERE IS STRENGTH
Legal corner
Harvey Mars
Unions are the best protection for workers – but many people don’t know that workers who are not part of a collective bargaining unit and who are not represented by a union also have rights under the National Labor Relations

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LET’S STOP PAY-TO-PLAY
Local 802 has a voice on the NYC Nightlife Advisory Board. We’re using it to improve working conditions for musicians. Here’s how…
Alvester Garnett with David Stern
The NYC Nightlife Advisory Board is an all-volunteer, 14-member independent body that advises the mayor and the City Council on issues affecting the nightlife industry and ways to improve regulations and policies that impact nightlife establishments. Alvester Garnett serves as

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Musicians at Work (photo op)
NORTH/SOUTH CONSONANCE ENSEMBLE Musicians in the North/South Consonance Ensemble recently performed their annual holiday concert at Christ and St. Stephen’s Church on West 69th Street. Funding for the concert came in part from the Music Performance Trust Fund, and musicians

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VIRTUALLY TOGETHER
A multi-screen video guide
Isaac Trapkus
By Isaac Trapkus Making a multi-screen music video is a great way to reconnect with your colleagues and re-engage your audience. By sharing the process we used to create our “Bolero” video (see screen shot above), which featured 80 musicians

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MY STORY
Pride Month 2020
Kristy Norter
By Kristy Norter When Allegro approached me and asked if I’d be interested in writing an article for Pride Month, I’ll be honest, I was hesitant. Many of the feelings that I’ve worked hard to put away came creeping back

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EQUAL ACCESS
Women in jazz come together
Monika Herzig
March is Women’s History Month and this year we are also celebrating the 100th anniversary of the women’s suffrage movement. While female jazz performers are not a novelty anymore, they still make up only one fifth of the field. As

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The importance of the first teacher
Member to member
Morrie Sherry
As Allegro continues its series on music teachers and teaching artists, we hear this month from Local 802 member Morrie Sherry. If you have a story to contribute to this series, please e-mail Allegro@Local802afm.org. I began playing clarinet when I

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MUSIC FROM THE HEART
Photostory
MET Orchestra musicians and other Local 802 members recently performed for Spanish-speaking refugee children from Mexico and Central America at the Andrew Freedman Home in the South Bronx. Connecting with communities throughout the greater New York area through music has

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Musicians at Work (photo op)
BIG APPLE CIRCUS “I’m grateful to be employed under a Local 802 contract for several reasons. First, I’m impressed by the knowledge, expertise and diligence of the team at 802 who negotiated a fair and thorough contract for our musicians.

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Pride Month 2020
Jesse Kiessel
By Jesse Kissel Pride Month in NYC is my favorite month of the year. Rainbow flags and bunting strewn over storefronts, apartment windows, and cabs. Tourists and residents buzzing around the densest city in the world beaming with pride and

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Musicians raise our spirits during quarantine
Katherine Cherbas
By Katherine Cherbas Shortly after New York City’s concert halls and theatres were shut down in March, videos started appearing in my Facebook feed featuring quarantined musicians playing together from afar. Like many of you, I’ve always cherished the kaleidoscope

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A PIONEERING WOMAN FOR LABOR RIGHTS
It’s never been more important to remember the visionary work of Frances Perkins
Elise Frawley
“‘Social justice’ is more than a shibboleth with her; it has been the maxim of her life, and if it carry her far, no one can say that the need is not great.” — New York Times editorial, 1933 On

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Winning on Stage
Dr. Don Greene
There are five different types of brainwave patterns that affect a musician’s level of performance. They are called delta, alpha-theta, alpha, beta, and gamma. Each frequency can be measured on an electroencephalogram (EEG) in cycles per second (otherwise known as

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STOP INJURIES BEFORE THEY HAPPEN
To your health
FREE INJURY PREVENTION WORKSHOPS FOR MEMBERS OF LOCAL 802 Local 802 member Katherine Hannauer (pictured above) and her classmate Nick Cerbone will lead free, hands-on injury prevention workshops at Local 802 in February. There will be flyers posted at Local

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How to protect yourself and your fellow musicians
Andy Schwartz
  MAKING VIDEOS UNDER QUARANTINE? How to protect yourself and your fellow musicians By Andy Schwartz Video performances created from home are the fastest-growing response from musicians to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering everything from emotional support to our colleagues and

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Kim Roberts Hedgpeth
By Kim Roberts Hedgpeth Residuals were issued to musicians on May 22 from the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund Please check the unclaimed residuals list at www.fmsmf.org/unclaimedchecks to see if you or any of your colleagues have unclaimed residuals. Contact

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Alan H. Arnold, 87, a violist, composer, arranger and publisher, died on Dec. 14. He had been a member of Local 802 for almost 50 years and was also a member of ASCAP. Born in the Bronx in 1932, Mr.

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Bringing (ROCK) music to every classroom!
Member to member
Joshua Zarbo
Lately I’ve been traveling around the country speaking to education professionals about TeachRock, an arts integration curriculum developed by the Rock and Roll Forever Foundation, a nonprofit established by legendary musician, producer, actor and activist Steven Van Zandt. As a

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REMOTE TEACHING
How a public school music teacher figured it out…and how you can too!
Dr. Brian Doherty
By Dr. Brian Doherty Many teachers use the old adage “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” regarding the degree of success in their instruction as it relates to lesson planning. While I agree that good teachers must

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A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MUSICIANS DURING A CRISIS
Winning on stage
Dr. Don Greene
By Dr. Don Greene The CORONAVIRUS crisis is an indescribable disaster for professional musicians in New York. It’s compounded by the simple fact that most of us are not trained to deal with chaos, catastrophic change and tragedy. The crisis

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Local 802 Electronic Music Committee
By the Local 802 Electronic Music Committee Confined to our homes, musicians are turning to new solutions to work, create, teach, record, collaborate and perform. Many of us are suddenly having to learn and develop new technologies and methods. Local

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THE RHYTHM OF BROADWAY
In honor of Women’s History Month, eight percussionists share their inspiring stories about playing on Broadway
Thanks to Janna Graham and Mariana Ramirez for suggesting this story and reaching out to their colleagues with terrific questions. If you have your own story to share, please e-mail Allegro@Local802afm.org. Tell us a little bit about your musical history

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Reminiscences
Seth Lewis
Mentorship is a vital tradition in music, especially in jazz. An excellent role model was the late Bob Cranshaw, whose life I am researching for my graduate thesis. I want to share a little bit about what I’ve learned and

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Winning on stage
Dr. Don Greene
Flow is the mental state of a highly motivated individual when fully engaged in a chosen activity. The person is immersed in a feeling of energized focus and a sense of total involvement. Flow is completely focused attention; it is

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#SaintsForSaints
Matt Hong
By Matt Hong My wife, Diana Velazquez, is a charge nurse in the ER at Mt. Sinai Morningside. The FDNY lined up every night on their block to blow their sirens and applaud the healthcare workers during their shift changes

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from the Local 802 Electronic Music Committee
Local 802 Electronic Music Committee
By the Local 802 Electronic Music Committee What are the best platforms for teaching online? Popular video conferencing options for lessons include Zoom, Skype, Blue Jeans and FaceTime. If you are teaching a solo instrumentalist or vocalist, any will probably

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Adi Meyerson
Adi Meyerson
I joined Local 802 after I got some work opportunities through the union, and I’m glad to finally be a part of it. My musical goal in NYC is to continue to lead my band and play with my heroes

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John Lake
John Lake
I joined Local 802 to further my career as a pit musician and recording artist. My musical goal in NYC is to play music at the highest levels with an excellent community of musicians. One of my favorite recent gigs

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Bernadette  Zirkuli Biddlecome Bernadette M. Zirkuli Biddlecome, 74, a bassoonist and a member of Local 802 since 1963, died on Nov. 30. In 1967, she earned her bachelor of music at Juilliard, where she was awarded the Nuremberg Scholarship and

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Kristy Norter
By Kristy Norter Recently I was asked by Georgia Stitt to host a virtual workshop for Maestra. This article is a synopsis of the material I covered. So, you wanna sub on Broadway, huh? New York City is one of

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Chelsea Lane
Chelsea Lane
I joined Local 802 so that I could pursue more freelance work in NYC as I write my dissertation for a DMA degree at The Graduate Center, CUNY. The opportunity to read for “Das Rheingold” at the Metropolitan Opera last

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THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS OF LIFE UNDER QUARANTINE
Views from the board
Lynne Cohen
By Lynne Cohen In late summer 1986, my family was moving to Europe. I had given up a full-time orchestra job in South Florida, shipped the bare necessities ahead, and sold the rest. For the summer, I was playing at

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Edward W. Hardy
Edward W. Hardy
I joined Local 802 after already establishing a career as a musician and composer. I was asked to be a sub for “Rocktopia” on Broadway, which was a fantastic experience, and prompted me to join the union. Coincidentally, it was

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‘Let’s get active and make some noise’
If you love the Earth, now's the time (EARTH DAY 2020)
Marc Schmied
By Marc Schmied As musician/activist in 2020, I find myself celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and hopeful for the prospect of change through the November elections. In past issues of Allegro, I’ve written about my involvement in the

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Laura Thompson
Laura Thompson
I joined Local 802 because it seemed a great way to meet fellow musicians in New York City, and I also believe in the advocacy and organizing work the union does to ensure that we are paid a fair wage.

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Bettina Covo
Need to contribute a little more to get Local 802 health benefits? Need a few more credits to become fully vested in your pension? There is a viable way to contribute to your AFM pension* and maintain Local 802 health

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LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE QUARANTINE
Views from the board
Caryl Paisner
By Caryl Paisner This is not my first quarantine. In 1997, when just 20 weeks pregnant with my twins (now 22 and healthy), I went into labor. After a week in the hospital to stop the process and to stabilize

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JAZZ FACULTY STEP UP
It’s all about respect! We part-time faculty at the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music at the New School’s College of Performing Arts first won a contract with Local 802 in 1998. At the time, faculty had received only one

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Letters to the editor
To the Editor: Last Year, I bought yet another instrument: a 2013 Fender five-string American Standard Jazz Bass. Equipped with Custom Shop pickups, it’s become my number-one bass. However, I was never crazy about the instrument’s appearance. The blue body

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Jordon Cunningham
Jordon Cunningham
I re-joined Local 802 after I started working at the Engeman Theatre on Long Island for its production of “Saturday Night Fever.” I’m also very much looking forward to a few projects coming up within the next couple of months,

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In memory of Judson Griffin
David Bakamjian
In Memory of Judson Griffin By David Bakamjian Judson Griffin was a beloved son, brother, partner, friend, and colleague, as well as one of the most highly respected musicians in the early music community. He died on May 27, 2020

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Kara Mikula
I joined Local 802 after doing several recent jobs performing as an actor-musician. I want to help develop a special set of rules for actor-musicians that can be used for all types of theatre contracts and ensure that producers are

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Tribute to Jerry Bruno by Russ Kassoff
Russ Kassoff
Jerry Bruno, 100, died on June 22, 2020. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1951. Below is a tribute by fellow member Russ Kassoff… A tribute to Jerry Bruno By Russ Kassoff Jerry Bruno (real name Frank)

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Tribute to Jerry Bruno by Howie Tavin
Howie Tavin
Jerry Bruno, 100, died on June 22, 2020. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1951. Below is a tribute by fellow Local 802 member Howie Tavin… A tribute to Jerry Bruno by Howie Tavin (“Tavern”) My dear

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In memory of Marilyn Smith
Marilyn K. Smith, a violinist and teacher, and a member of Local 802 since 1955, passed away on April 25, 2020. Throughout her long career as a teacher and performer she touched the lives of hundreds of students, many of

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Reminiscences of Bob Ojeda
Roger Rhodes
Bob Ojeda, 78, a trumpeter and a member of Local 802 since 1992, died on March 26. Allegro published Mr. Ojeda’s obituary here, and below are reminiscences by Roger Rhodes. Bob Ojeda was my colleague and friend for 60 years.

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Romolo Ferri: Master Jazz Teacher and Accompanist
Eve Zanni
Romolo Ferri: Master Jazz Teacher and Accompanist April 17, 1931 – May 1st, 2020 By Eve Zanni (jazz vocalist, author) Read more at https://www.facebook.com/groups/RomFerriMemorial Romolo Ferri, a Local 802 member since 1954, died on May 1 at the age of

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A tribute to Kathryn Easter
Henry Fanelli
Kathryn Easter, 86, a member of Local 802 for almost 60 years, died on April 16, 2020.  Kathryn was probably best known for her extraordinary career as a Broadway harpist.  Starting in 1962 with Steven Sondheim’s riotous musical farce, A

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A tribute to Donn Trenner
Stuart Tresser
Pianist, conductor and arranger Donn Trenner died on May 16, 2020 after being a member of Local 802 since 1956. Fellow member Stuart Tresser wrote the following reminiscences: “I can proudly say that in the 1950’s I watched the Steve

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Elizabeth Evans
A tribute to Carmine DeLeo By Elizabeth Evans The violinist Carmine DeLeo, 93, a member of Local 802 since 1953, died of congestive heart failure on May 13, 2020 in The Woodlands, Texas. Carmine was born on October 23, 1926

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Making lemonade out of coronavirus
Emily Pecoraro
By Emily Pecoraro I think we can all agree that times are pretty strange right now. In our confinement, the entire music community has faced a unique circumstance in which we are all trying to figure out new ways of

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Armen Donelian
I am saddened by the death of Dr. Janet Grice [obituary published in Allegro here]. I performed with Janet as her pianist countless times in the USA and Brazil and on record. Janet was a courageous and accomplished woman who

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Feature profile
Dave Weiss
By Dave Weiss When my father Mitch Weiss was a child, he expressed to his family that he wanted to play the clarinet for a living. But my uncle Hyman, the patriarch of the family, would have none of it:

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MEET MY MANAGER
Clara Schumann’s surprising role in the career of Johannes Brahms
Styra Avins
By Styra Avins Clara Schumann just celebrated her 200th birthday! Most people know her as the wife and muse of Robert Schumann, as one of the very great pianists of the 19th century, and the center of the emotion-ridden triangle

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December 3, 2019 - January 6, 2020
Tuesday, December 3, 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, Cohen, Frawley, Kainuma, Shankin. Minutes of November 25, 2019 reviewed. It was moved

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Okäru Love
I first joined Local 802 almost 20 years ago and recently renewed my membership after an unfortunate incident at a club in Harlem. My band and I were apparently fired due to my ethnicity. We were helped by Local 802

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‘WHAT THE NEW SCHOOL UNION CONTRACT MEANS TO ME’
As negotiations approach, part-time jazz faculty reflect on the power of a union contract
“Having union representation has allowed the New School jazz faculty to bargain collectively to achieve vast improvements in academic working conditions that individually would have been impossible for me to acquire on my own. Local 802 has been instrumental in

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Rebekah Bruce Parker
I joined Local 802 shortly after I came to NYC in 2018 to become a full-time musician and play on Broadway. I started by subbing on the keyboard 2 book for “Mean Girls,” which is full of organ, percussion, strings

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Bill Crow
Pianist Marty Napoleon was a good friend, and provided me with quite a bit of work over the years with his trios and quartets. But it was his older brother Andy, a drummer, who I first met when I arrived

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Jeremy Levine
I re-joined Local 802 because suddenly I’ve been getting a huge influx of union work. I am already fairly established but I look forward to branching out into Broadway or the new music scene. I play timpani all around New

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Stamford Symphony musicians and soloists record a performance from their homes dedicated to Fairfield County healthcare workers
Peter Weitzner
By Peter Weitzner “No man is an island,” wrote the poet John Donne. Really? I’m not so sure about that. After the Stamford Symphony was forced to cancel the rest of its public performing season, we found ourselves struggling to

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When federal laws fail workers, we can encourage states and cities to do what it takes
Harvey Mars
By Harvey Mars, Esq. While the Trump National Labor Relations Board is doing all it can to dismantle the vast protections afforded to workers by prior labor boards, those of us who live in more liberal or progressive states (like

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FOR OUR COURAGEOUS WORKERS
Experimental composition brings musicians together to say thanks
Hajnal Pivnick
By Hanjal Pivnick As the quarantine was entering its second month here in NYC, it became clear that the need for musical connection was stronger than ever, and I was eager to find ways to plug into the various efforts

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Miki Yamanaka
I joined Local 802 as a part of the Roxy Coss Quintet. I moved to NYC in 2012 and earned a master’s degree in music from Queens College. My musical goal is to play the gigs I want, all the

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Legal corner
By Harvey Mars, Esq. The coronavirus pandemic put the arts community in uncharted territory. However, the law actually anticipated something like this. Many Local 802 contracts contain a provision called “force majeure” or “Act of God.” While force majeure clauses

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Legal corner
Harvey Mars
By Harvey Mars, Esq. The quarantine has compelled musicians to practice in their homes more than ever before. Unfortunately, this extra practice time may come with a price. Case in point: an article in the Wall Street Journal on May

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Hosun Moon
I re-joined Local 802 shortly after I won the 2017-2018 American Prize for conducting in musical theatre. I decided to leave my position as a college music professor to become a full-time conductor, music director, pianist, organist, harpsichordist and keyboardist.

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EMPOWERING THEATRE MUSICIANS
An update from your Broadway Theatre Committee
Tom Monkell and Jan Mullen
Do you play on Broadway? If yes, then the Theatre Committee is your committee! Our meetings are open to all Broadway musicians, including subs. If you have any business or concerns you wish to be discussed, contact us at BroadwayTheatreCommittee@gmail.com.

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HELP FOR MUSICIANS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS 1. Start at the Local 802 resource center at www.local802afm.org/resource-center 2. Go to the Local 802 Musicians Emergency Relief Fund at https://erf.local802afm.org 3. Looking for counseling? Help with substance abuse? Someone to talk

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Nov. 12, 2019 - Nov. 25, 2019
NOTE: The Executive Board did not meet on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. Tuesday, November 12, 2019 Meeting called to order at 11:13 am by President Krauthamer. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Frawley, Hoyt,

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How to play percussion on Broadway…on Zoom!
Local 802 members will be teaching the NYU Broadway Percussion Seminar online
Sean Millman
Here’s some very welcome good news! As Allegro goes to press, registration for this year’s NYU Broadway Percussion Seminar is STILL OPEN…and is planning to be taught online via Zoom! Hosted by the NYU Steinhardt Percussion Studies Program, the NYU

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Winning on stage
Don Greene
By Don Greene Although I currently reside in Los Angeles, I am a real New Yorker at heart. I lived in Queens when I was young, went to high school in Brooklyn, practiced diving in the Bronx, and lived in

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Winning on Stage
Dr. Don Greene
By Dr. Don Greene Now that we are months into the pandemic, hopefully we are moving beyond the initial stage of shock and denial of the grieving process. Denial provided temporary relief from the harsh reality that was dawning on

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STAMFORD FOREVER!
With loyal musicians, a strong committee and a dedicated management, the future of the Stamford Symphony looks brighter than it’s ever been
By Peter Weitzner
By Peter Weitzner It seems that an orchestra is just like a farm. The practice of running a farm can be like riding a roller coaster. Some years the weather doesn’t cooperate. In other years, fields must be left barren

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Bill Crow
It doesn’t seem possible, but I’m about to begin my 38th year of writing this column. It all started when I was elected to the Local 802 Executive Board in December, 1982, as part of the ticket headed by John

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Dr. Lyn Christie Dr. Lyndon van Christie, 91, a member of Local 802 since 1966, died on March 28. He was born during the Great Depression in Sydney, Australia with music in his blood. His father, the late Clarence Lyndon

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Jazz in that ‘other America’
Jazz Appreciation Month 2020
Su Terry
By Su Terry Trumpeter and Local 802 member Walt Szymanski likes to go mountain climbing. In 2010 the Detroit native and former resident of Brooklyn started looking for mountains in the country of Ecuador, located in the northwestern part of

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Feature profile
Todd Bryant Weeks
By Todd Bryant Weeks Gene Perla walks into his study, tall, lanky and youthful and sits down at his computer and waves to me… at the other end of our virtual space. He looks up, sees I’m there and hits

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Kevin A. Virgilio
Kevin A. Virgilio
I joined Local 802 because it’s best way to connect with like-minded musicians who are willing to work together toward a common goal. I first started playing music in public elementary school in Pleasant Valley, New York. There were lots

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Bill Giannone
Bill Giannone
I re-joined Local 802 to get back to my musical roots. I first joined the union in the mid-1970s when I was the piccolo player with the American Concert Band under the direction of Dr. Kirby Jolly. For many years,

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Cynthia Saye
Cynthia Saye
My first union was AFM Local 132 in Ithaca, which I joined in college because someone I was gigging with recommended I become a member. After graduating, I moved to NYC and transferred to Local 802. During this Covid-19 shutdown,

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Vince Ector
Vince Ector
I decided to rejoin Local 802 when my daughter joined AFM Local 47 as the next member of our family to become a professional performer. I thought it was ironic that I would promote the benefits of being a union

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Adam Robinson
Adam Robinson
I joined Local 802 when I got the job to sub for a friend in an Off Broadway show, which was a real hoot – and I enjoyed getting paid union scale! I came to NYC to study jazz and

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JD Hunter
JD Hunter
I joined Local 802 when I won an audition to play the Christmas Spectacular show with the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra. Before the quarantine, my gig was serving as concertmaster of the North American tour of “Aladdin.” I earned

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MLK Day 2020
This winter, Local 802 members Kyle Hoyt, Joshua Zarbo, Sita Chay, Kyra Sims and David White participated in a day of service on MLK Day, where they got the chance to mentor aspiring young high school musicians. Here’s what they

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WHY MUSICIANS NEED UNION STEWARDS
Notes from the field
Leo Gertner
What good is a contract if you can’t enforce it? One of the great benefits that comes with having a union is the protection of collective bargaining agreements. But arguably what’s even more important is the ability to enforce them

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Reggie Workman honored as N.E.A. Jazz Master for 2020
Jazz Appreciation Month 2020
April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and longtime Local 802 member Reggie Workman has been awarded the title of Jazz Master, the highest honor in jazz, by the National Endowment for the Arts for 2020. Workman is the only Local 802

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Chris Sax
Chris Sax
I joined Local 802 to develop my career in solidarity with other professional NYC artists. The perks of being a member of the union are great! I grew up just outside of Niagara Falls and got my first union gig

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Matt Pavolka
Matt Pavolka
I re-joined Local 802 when I got some Broadway work last year. I’ve been in NYC for 25 years and still love the music scene here. I want to continue being a part of it and doing what I’m doing.

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Reggie Pittman
Reggie Pittman
I joined Local 802 when I moved to Brooklyn after previously being a member of AFM Local 4 (Cleveland). I’m a trumpeter, flugelhornist, bandleader and producer. The union serves a multitude of purposes; some of them include news sources (including

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Ada Westfall
Ada Westfall
I re-joined Local 802 because…well, technically, I’m not sure that I left the union. But I’m a trans woman and my entire name changed along with my gender, so they had to issue me a new union card number! But

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Will Eversden
Will Eversden
I joined Local 802 because I’m a firm believer in unions and the role they play in sustaining community. More than ever, it’s important to stand up for what we believe in, fight for what’s right, and preserve our livelihood

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Douglas Baldwin
Douglas Baldwin
I re-joined Local 802 because the better the pay and the better the working conditions, the more likely it’s a Local 802 gig! Whenever I work in New York City, I want to be sure that rehearsals will be timed

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Guest commentary
Laura McQuade
March is Women’s History Month, and this year is also the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision granting women the constitutional protection to access abortion. On this monumental anniversary, it is clear that the right

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Encouraging jazz appreciation in the digital age
Local 802 Artist Rights Caucus
Ken Hatfield
By Ken Hatfield As we celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, I ask my fellow jazz musicians to reflect upon how appreciation of our music has actually diminished in the decades since the digital paradigm shift dramatically altered the landscape of how

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A ray of light in an uncertain time
Local 802 member Martin Agee uses his music to provide comfort to animals, which he describes as “my favorite audience”
Martin Agee
By Martin Agee There are audiences of music lovers out there who have been waiting to hear their first live concert. And while their love of music is palpable, sadly many of them have never heard so much as a

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Requiem
Vladimir Baranov Vladimir Baranov, 74, who played first violin in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for three decades, died last fall, on Nov. 1, 2019. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1978. Mr. Baranov was born and raised

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Are you in the groove when it comes to your taxes? Check out our annual tax tips for musicians and see if you’re on the money
CORONAVIRUS TAX UPDATE The coronavirus crisis has affected musicians in many painful ways. For tax purposes, any loss of income caused by the crisis this year (tax year 2020) will affect next year’s tax filing (due April 2021). We’ll discuss

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Winning on stage
Dr. Don Greene
Even though I’m an eternal optimist, I know that mistakes are inevitable. Live musical events often happen in less than ideal conditions. There are many factors involved that can result in random accidents and unforced musical errors. Accidents are unwelcome

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REQUIEM
Jimmy Heath The jazz saxophonist Jimmy Heath, 93, a member of Local 802 since 1959, died on Jan. 19. Mr. Heath was long recognized as a brilliant instrumentalist and a magnificent composer and arranger. Mr. Heath was the middle brother

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Colleen Ruddy
Colleen Ruddy
I joined Local 802 to be part of a larger network of great musicians and to be able to perform in union productions here. I would love to be involved in more touring opportunities of all different styles — but

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Alejandro Senior
Alejandro Senior
I joined Local 802 because I wanted to be a part of a larger arts community and have access to a supportive network of talented musicians. I have decided to dedicate my career to both music and theatre, and I’ve

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Avigail Malachi
Avigail Malachi
I re-joined Local 802 last year after I was offered an opportunity to join the Off Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish” on Stage 42. I’m so glad that I had the privilege to be part of

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Napoleon Revels-Bey
Napoleon Revels-Bey
I first joined the union when I was 16 and recently renewed my membership in Local 802. I see music as part of my soul’s journey, and my ongoing musical goal is to make the best contribution to the arts

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Nicole Patrick
Nicole Patrick
I joined Local 802 after getting some work opportunities through the union. I hope to continue meeting wonderful people and making music with the support of the union. I recently returned from a three-week artist residency in Melbourne, Australia, with

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Harry Mackenzie Inglis
Harry Mackenzie Inglis
I hail from sunny South Africa, but I studied in the midwest and earned my master’s degree in viola performance here in NYC. Apart from playing the king of instruments, I love jazz piano, politics and long-distance road cycling. I

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April 7, 2020 to May 12, 2020
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 Meeting called to order at 11:09 am by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board

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Rock in musical theatre
Member to member
Joseph Church
By Joseph Church Although I’ve sung all my life, I don’t consider myself a singer. I know that’s an odd statement coming from someone who just wrote a book on singing. What I am is a musician who freely uses

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March 10, 2020 - April 1, 2020
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 Meeting called to order at 11:18 am by Recording Vice President Schwartz. Present: Executive Board members Axelrod, Davis, Hoyt, Kainuma, Paisner, Shankin. President Krauthamer absent on union business. Minutes of March 3, 2020 reviewed. Executive Board

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Grégoire Maret
Grégoire Maret
I re-joined Local 802 when I started teaching at the New School. As a union musician, I want to be treated fairly when I work. As a chromatic harmonica player, I’m touring all the time, but my musical goal in

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Nicolas Mirabile
Nicolas Mirabile
I joined Local 802 to become a member of a wider musical community. I hope to meet talented and skilled colleagues and friends with whom to bond and make music. As a freelancer, I’ve played with many groups, including the

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January 14, 2020 - February 4, 2020
Monday, January 14, 2020 Meeting called to order at 11:12 am by President Krauthamer. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Davis, Donovan, Frawley, Hoyt, Kainuma, Paisner, Shankin. Minutes of January 6, 2020 reviewed. It

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Jonathan Tunick recalls Buster Williams’ lush sound To the editor: Thanks so much for Peter Zimmerman’s interview with Buster Williams in the February issue of Allegro. I would like to add to the list of Buster’s many accomplishments the year

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Ariana Cappon
Ariana Cappon
I joined Local 802 to gain access to quality work for humane compensation and to find a broader musical community in New York City. Because this city has such an appetite for the arts, it’s an ideal place to collaborate

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Digital petition
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed many weaknesses in our social safety net and labor laws. The predicament of musical artists — the original gig workers — is particularly poignant. With live performance shut down, the vast majority of the music

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Candace DeBartolo
Candace DeBartolo
I re-joined Local 802 after I recently had the chance to do some musical theater work under a union contract. I’ve been a professional musician since I was 23 years old and have traveled extensively, touring with rock bands, cover

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Avery Yurman
Avery Yurman
I joined Local 802 to have more varied performance and compositional opportunities in NYC. I first joined AFM Local 16-248 to perform on bassoon in “West Side Story” at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey and then joined Local

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THE BAND ROOM
Bill Crow
Back in the 1940’s, there was a club on Times Square called the Zanzibar. It featured headliners like Nat Cole and Louis Jordan. At the time, I was serving in the Army, based in Maryland, and got the chance to

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Mayu Saeki
Mayu Saeki
I re-joined Local 802 when I was asked to sub for Josh Johnson for “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish.” I loved the book because it called for three flutes (C, piccolo and alto) with no doubles, which is unusual

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Requiem
Anton Coppola Anton Coppola, 102, the conductor and composer, died on March 9. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1935. Mr. Coppola was possibly the oldest conductor in the world and was still actively conducting up until

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Scott Robinson
The banjoist Eddy Davis died on April 7 at the age of 79 due to complications of the coronavirus. He had been a member of Local 802 for over 40 years. He is survived by his daughter Lucie and his

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THE BAND ROOM
May 2020
Bill Crow
By Bill Crow With everyone forced to stay home and all our gigs canceled, the internet has become more and more a place for people to stay connected. Many musicians are posting live performances. I’ve watched quite a few of

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The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Colton Fellowship supports early-career Black and Latinx musicians in the orchestra field. The Colton Fellow will participate in NJSO performances, receive mentorship and engage with the community. To be considered for the NJSO Colton Fellowship,

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THE BAND ROOM
June 2020
Bill Crow
By Bill Crow Lee Konitz, who left this world on April 15, was one of the first jazz musicians I met when I came to live in New York City in 1950. I was studying the valve trombone with Lennie

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February 11, 2020 - March 3, 2020
Tuesday, February 11, 2020 Meeting called to order at 11:18 am by Financial Vice President Fisher. Present: Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Axelrod, Donovan, Frawley, Hoyt, Kainuma, Shankin. President Krauthamer absent. Minutes of February 4, 2020 reviewed. It

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THE BAND ROOM
Bill Crow
I found this story in my old friend Gene DiNovi’s interesting memoir “I Can Hear the Music,” which you can read online at wattpad.com. When Gene was getting started in the music business, he went on the road with a

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