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Legacy of a Leader: Serena Kay Williams

Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus Serena Kay Williams holds Local 47 dedication day programs from 1950 and 2018, both of which she attended. (photo by Tom Pease)

Serena Kay Williams made history as the first woman officer of AFM Local 47 when she was elected Secretary in 1984, a position she held until her retirement in 2007. Here we recall her legacy as a trailblazing musicians advocate and union leader.

Serena Kay Williams was born April 9, 1921 in Kansas City, Missouri. Serena’s father, who was born in Liverpool, England, came from a musical family. In fact, Jascha Heifetz was her grandfather’s nephew. Her mother, who came from Russia, also counted many artists in her family. Serena’s parents owned a deli in Kansas City. Their cooking was so renowned that her father was crowned the “Chili King of Kansas City” using her mother’s recipe.

When Serena was 4 her parents moved to Los Angeles because of her mother’s health. Serena cared for her mother, who was very ill, and even was issued a special driver’s license at the age of 12 so she could take her mother back and forth to the hospital. Continue reading

Final Note: Leon Ndugu Chancler

Life Member. Drum Set
7/1/1952 – 2/3/2018

by Washington Rucker, Life Member, AFM Local 47

We have lost a giant in the music world, and more directly, a great musician.

My best friend, Ndugu Chancler, was one of only a hand full of drummers who could be recognized by a single name: Ndugu. His moniker was well deserved and well earned. He stood tall among the genre of drummers who spring up… and he stood atop most of them. Continue reading

‘Make It in the USA’ Video Contest Winners Announced

A powerful hip hop anthem about the pride a man takes in a long day’s work. A haunting ode to the hands that built American industry. A fast-paced celebration of American-made products. And a passionate plea for companies to invest in the USA. These are the four winners of the United Auto Workers’ “Make it in the USA” contest, which called on entrants to create videos focused on the value of manufacturing and buying products domestically.

To see the winning videos and learn more about the contest, click here. Continue reading

In Memoriam: June 2018

William (Bill) David Brohn
Life Member. Conductor/Orchestrator
3/30/1933 – 3/13/2017
Survived by siblings

Beverly Carmen (Musafia)
Life Member. Piano
5/1/1929 – 4/22/2018
Survived by cousin

Robert (Bob) Dorough
Life Member. Piano
12/2/1923 – 4/23/2018
Survived by spouse

James (Jack) A. Eskew
Life Member. Drum Set
5/10/1940 – 4/15/2018
Survived by spouse

Ann V. Koons
Life Member. Violin
12/15/1945 – 3/13/2018
Survived by children

Norma A. Peterson
Life Member. Saxophone
2/7/1920 – 5/14/2018
Survived by cousin

Katia Popov
Member. Violin
3/3/1965 – 5/19/2018
Survived by spouse & child

Arthur B. Rubinstein
Member. Conductor
3/31/1938 – 4/23/2018
Survived by spouse & children

WHCRA & NMHPA: Women’s health rights

The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1988 (WHCRA) & the Newborn and Mothers Health Protection Act of 1996 (NMHPA)

Reconstructive Surgery Fully Covered After Mastectomy

WOMEN’S HEALTH AND CANCER RIGHTS ACT OF 1998

The Professional Musicians Local 47 and Employers Health and Welfare Fund (“the Fund”) purchases health insurance benefits through Health Net of California and provides you with this notice as required by the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1988 (WHCRA).   Continue reading

New Music Teaching Scale

Photo by Jorge Royan. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

We are excited to announce that earlier this month, the Local 47 Executive Board approved a new Music Teaching Scale.

The new base rate is $75 per hour, 10% H&W and 10.9% pension, which includes the pension rehabilitation.

This rate was established for a new Local 47 Career Pathways Program, which will launch this summer in collaboration with the Burbank and Glendale Unified School Districts. The scale is also now available for agreements approved through the President’s office.

Members interested in filing teaching contracts may call 323.993.3182 or email john.acosta@afm47.org for more information.

June 2018 Overture Online: A Truly Grand Opening

Overture Online
June 2018

A Truly Grand Opening
Hundreds of musicians and friends celebrate the new home of our Union


African-American Music Appreciation Month
President John Acosta to be honored by Black Business Association

June 2018 Primary Endorsements
See who the California Labor Federation supports for working families

Ron King Band
Heating up Jakarta at Java Jazz Festival

and more!
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PLEASE NOTE: If you had previously installed the “Overture Online” app on an Apple device, please update the app to version 3.0.0. Android users: install our new app, “Overture Online Mag,” available free from Google Play here.

Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. For those without access to a smart device, this issue may be viewed on a web browser here. Local 47 members may download archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.

A Truly Grand Opening

(Linda A. Rapka)

Close to 300 musicians, dignitaries and friends turned out on the evening of May 21, 2018 for the official Grand Opening Dedication Ceremony to commemorate the new home of American Federation of Musicians Local 47 at 3220 Winona Ave. in Burbank.

This past summer, our union began our relocation from Hollywood to a beautifully renovated building in Burbank. With Phase 1 of construction recently completed, we were ready to celebrate in style! Continue reading