Category Archives: Features

Women’s History Month: Exploring the Important Role of Women in Labor History

WHM2016

The history of America’s working women is a history of advocating for the abolition of slavery, the right to vote, the right to unionize, the welfare of children, and the extension of human rights to all. Women were among the first workers to bear the hardships of the industrial revolution, and among the first to unionize.

Women have participated in the labor movement in both a lead and supportive role through its entire history, but the movement has not always been friendly in return. Continue reading

ASMAC ‘FIRST WEDNESDAYS’ Series Takes Off at Local 47

Ross de Roche, Liz Finch, Kim Richmond (photo by Tapia Corel)

Ross de Roche, Liz Finch, Kim Richmond (photo by Tapia Corel)

The American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC) presented The Art of Music Preparation on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, hosted by Local 47.

Part of a new monthly series held on the first Wednesday evening of each month featuring a variety of topics of interest to arrangers and composers, the March 2 event included veteran music copyists Liz Finch, Ross deRoche and Kim Richmond, with a demonstration by Jim Ciancaglini, owner of Valle Music.  Continue reading

Book review: Don’t Stop the Music: Finding the Joy in Caregiving

9781504344654_COVER.inddIn her new book “Don’t Stop the Music: Finding the Joy in Caregiving,” author and musician Nancy Weckwerth (horn) has created a “survive and thrive” manual for caregivers.

Based upon over 25 years of caregiving for her friend and partner, composer and trumpeter John D. Swan (trumpet), the book describes lessons learned and solutions on how to find the joy in caregiving. Although it is written specifically for caring for a stroke survivor, the message transcends that particular condition. The wisdom within is meaningful for any caregiving situation. Continue reading

Book Review: ‘I Have Hundreds of Stories, Some of Them True’ by Russell Garcia

garcia book‘I Have Hundreds of Stories, Some of Them True’

Author: Russell Garcia

In a unique refreshing style, world-renowned composer/arranger/conductor Russell Garcia relates the stories of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood during his many years writing music for films and television in his posthumously released book, “I Have Hundreds of Stories, Some of Them True.”

His inimitable, delightful sense of humor comes through even when he’s winning World War II single-handed. This is a wonderful inspiring book by a legendary icon who spent some 70 years in the music business. As a young boy in school, he taught himself to play trumpet and organized his own little band.  Fortunately, in high school, he had teachers who recognized his genius and encouraged him to write music. He later studied with Ernst Toch, Edmond Ross and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. His break came when he substituted for an ill colleague on a radio show. Subsequently, he went on to become a composer/arranger at NBC Studios for television, and his work can still be heard today on such shows as “The Twilight Zone,” “Laredo,” “Fame is the Name of the Game” and “Rawhide.” Continue reading

YOLA Harmony Project Goes Live at Super Bowl 50

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Student youth orchestra performs with Coldplay during the big game’s halftime show

Classical music gained some major cool points on Super Bowl Sunday when members of Harmony Project’s Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) led by Maestro Gustavo Dudamel performed during the halftime show with Coldplay. Continue reading

H&W: Handy Blue Shield App for Your Phone

A message from the Professional Musicians, Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund:

GoogleNexus5_flier_mergedIn today’s on-the-go-wireless world, many of us rely on phone apps for almost every daily need. Well, it was only a matter of time before health insurers would get into app development and releases.

For Blue Shield, that time has arrived and if you are a Fund participant who has enrolled for the Blue Shield coverage, you can download the Blue Shield Mobile App for your smart phone (assuming, of course, your phone is compatible with the app). As they say: “There’s an app for that!” Continue reading

Free Income Tax Preparation and Family Resource Fair

Thousands of dollars could be yours this tax season thanks to the state and federal earned income tax credit. The Board of Equalization and Chairman Jerome E. Horton will host Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) events where low-to-moderate income families will be eligible to file their taxes for free.

Local 47 is a proud partner in the VITA program and encourages all members to learn more about this important assistance resource.
Continue reading

John Williams Receives Lifetime Contribution to Hollywood Award

Renowned composer, Local 47 member John Williams was honored at the 2016 Made in Hollywood Honors event for his works including the locally scored "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." (Photo by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47)

Renowned composer, Local 47 member John Williams was honored at the 2016 Made in Hollywood Honors event for his works including the locally scored “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” (Photo by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47)

Made In Hollywood Honors event honors renowned composer for works including L.A.-scored ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

Story & photos by Linda A. Rapka/AFM Local 47

Entertainment industry VIPs, local union officials and political leaders celebrated this year’s Oscar-nominated films made here in California at the Made In Hollywood Honors Oscar event Feb. 4, 2016. Continue reading