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2024 Delores Huerta Spirit Awards

AFM Local 47 was among the many proud entertainment union honorees presented with the Workers Champions Award at the 4th Annual Delores Huerta Spirit Awards. The reception was held on the evening of September 27, 2024 at the beautiful Los Angeles River Center & Gardens in Los Angeles.

“AFM Local 47 was honored to receive the Workers Champions Award alongside our fellow entertainment labor unions in recognition of our solidarity during the ‘Hot Labor Summer’ of 2023,” said AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe. Watch video of her acceptance speech here.

O’Keefe accepted AFM Local 47’s award alongside the Directors Guild of America, IATSE, IBEW Local 40, LiUNA! Local 724, OPCMIA Local 755, SAG-AFTRA,SEIU-USWW, Teamsters Joint Council 42, Teamsters Local 396, Teamsters Local 399, UA Plumbers Local 78, and Writers Guild of America West.

Hurricane Emergency Relief

Financial assistance is available for AFM musicians who have suffered major losses as a result of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters.

Download the AFM Hurricane Relief Fund Application here.

Download the AFM Emergency Relief Fund Application here.

Additional emergency assistance is also available from the Entertainment Community Fund.

To donate to the AFM Emergency Relief Fund, click here.

October 2024 Overture Online: Voting Matters!

Inside This Issue:

  • COVER STORY: Election 2024 – LA Fed Election Endorsements / GOTV Events Now Through November 5th
  • Resolution to Amend the Bylaws to be Voted Upon at General Membership Meeting October 28
  • Live TV Musicians Rally for a Fair Contract in NYC
  • Member Spotlight: Tom Morello
  • Congratulations 2024 Emmy Winners & Nominees
  • Music & Labor Support Congresswoman Judy Chu for Re-Election
  • Entertainment Community Fund Presents Free ‘Musicians Career Management’ Workshops 
  • Final Notes: Joel B. Lish, Edgardo Simone, Gary Grant, John T. Perrett
  • Audition Notices: Modesto Symphony Orchestra, New West Symphony
 
and more!
 

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No smart device? No problem! View our pdf archive here.


For special members-only Overture content — Executive Board minutes, CBAs, Local 47 Wage Scales, Bylaws, Suspended/Expelled member lists, and more — log in to your new E2 member account at ensemble.afm47.org and browse the “Overture” section on the Documents page. (New to E2? Visit our E2 FAQ here.)

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Final Note: Edgardo Simone

Life Member. Composer
7/1/1952 – 4/25/2024

by Adriana Zoppo

Friend and colleague Edgardo Simone has died at the age of 71 from complications of a brain hemorrhage. Though he played the bass, his gift and talent was in orchestration. A high school dropout, he earned two Masters Degrees within nine months from the University of Oregon, which named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 2007. Both Eastman School of Music and Harvard University offered him scholarships to pursue a Doctorate, but he decided to try Hollywood instead. Continue reading

Final Note: Joel B. Lish

Life Member. Viola/Conductor
3/11/1935 – 3/5/2024

Violist Joel Lish graduated from Verdugo Hills High School when he was just 16. He enrolled in the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and then later enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his last two years in the Air Force Joel was stationed in Okinawa. At the request of some of the local musicians he started a small group of string players and taught himself to conduct. Many years later Joel was quite surprised to learn that after he left Okinawa in 1957 this group continued and eventually evolved into the Okinawa Symphony, and that Joel is considered the founder of that orchestra! Continue reading