AFM Local 47 is proud to co-sponsor this year’s May Day rally with live musical performers, Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea!
May Day: L.A. People’s Power March 2019
Category Archives: All News
Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra: Another View
In response to a laudatory article about the non-union Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra titled “This orchestra wants no conductor: How Kaleidoscope aims to move in different directions” published in the LA Times by Rick Schultz on Feb. 13, 2019, we share another view written by AFM Local 47 Director Vivian Wolf. Kaleidoscope refuses to sign onto an AFM contract and currently appears on the union’s Do Not Work For list for failure to pay musicians according to industry standards. Along with the entire Executive Board, Wolf is deeply concerned about this situation, and Local 47 will continue to reach out to Kaleidoscope in order to discuss organizing the orchestra and its musicians under an AFM agreement.
It was with great interest that I read the article by Rick Schultz describing the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra. The article was highly laudatory and indeed, there is much to praise about the ensemble founded by Benjamin Mitchell. It is the only conductor-less orchestra in the Los Angeles area, it brings music to unique venues and champions new repertoire. What it doesn’t do, is pay the performers a fair wage. In fact, by refusing any involvement with the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, Kaleidoscope is exploiting the enthusiasm and energy of its young musicians. Even though the ensemble receives many large contributions, the orchestra does not have any kind of contract and certainly doesn’t offer the players any health or pension benefits — benefits that would be in play under a union contract. Continue reading
EMD Report: Residuals and Royalties
by Roxanne Castillo, Esq.
I have been receiving many calls asking how and when residuals and royalties are triggered and from where the money comes. Residuals and royalties flow from primary markets, secondary markets, and copyrights. Here is a quick guide to help you pinpoint how the money flows and to whom you should reach out if you suspect you are owed money but have yet to see a check. Continue reading
Thomas Stevens Memorial Scholarship Launched for Young Trumpeters
Thomas Stevens
The Center for Advanced Musical Studies is delighted to announce the Thomas Stevens Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship for young trumpeters who embody the musicality, educational drive and compassion of the brilliant trumpeter, composer, pedagogue, and friend Thomas Stevens (1938-2018). Continue reading
Symphonic Jazz Orchestra: Music in the Schools
Keeping classical & jazz alive one classroom at a time
by Linda A. Rapka
A self-proclaimed torchbearer for its uniquely innovative hybrid art, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra proudly stands as the only orchestra in the nation dedicated solely to blending the worlds of jazz and classical music. Since its founding in 2001, the 67-piece orchestra has commissioned 13 new works and performed seven world premieres, along with three U.S. premieres. Each year SJO presents a free symphonic jazz concert for the community at the Carpenter Performing Arts center at Cal State Long Beach, and this year’s concert in March included a rare arrangement of “Rhapsody in Blue” with Grammy Award-winning pianist Bill Cunliffe. Continue reading
Ol’ Blue Eyes Delights Visitors to AFM Local 47
Jerry Sharell, his son Jeff and Vice President Rick Baptist in front of the Frank Sinatra mural at AFM Local 47.
One fateful night in 1980, AFM Local 47 member Jerry Sharell jumped on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity thanks to his friend, Nancy Sinatra. The daughter of legendary “Rat Pack” performer Frank Sinatra invited Sharell to her father’s concert at Los Angeles’ Universal Amphitheater, where he performed with full orchestra. Continue reading
Burbank Philharmonic Announces 19th Annual Young Artist Competition
The Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra, in conjunction with the Hennings-Fischer Foundation, will hold the 19th Annual Young Artist Competition on May 4, 2019. The preliminary rounds will take place on May 1 and 2 with finals on Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m. (with audience). The finals will take place at Brand Library in Glendale. Continue reading
Learn Orchestration with Dr. Norman Ludwin
Develop your music orchestration skills this summer with a pair of free classes offered exclusively to members of AFM Local 47.
Taught by Dr. Norman Ludwin — an active session bass player, teacher, composer, and orchestrator — the classes offer AFM members a unique hands-on learning experience using real film scores with an industry professional. Focusing on practical knowledge and fundamental techniques, the course is modeled after the one Ludwin teaches at his Extension Film Scoring Program at UCLA. Continue reading
Musicians Supporting Caregivers
On March 28, 2019, AFM Local 47 musicians, caregivers, elected officials, and community leaders joined members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West at a rally at Cedars-Sinai to support their fight to protect their bargaining rights and voice on the job. Continue reading
Musicians Supporting Caregivers
Robert Hioki (trombone), Dave Reagan (President, SEIU-UHW), Tony Jones (leader/drums), and Dan Weinstein (trumpet).
On March 28, AFM Local 47 musicians, caregivers, elected officials, and community leaders joined members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West at a rally at Cedars-Sinai to support their fight to protect their bargaining rights and voice on the job.
Along with the rally, SEIU has unveiled a series of billboards throughout Los Angeles calling out Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s excessive profits and CEO compensation, at the same time the hospital provides one of the worst levels of charity care in the city. The 959-bed facility employs a staff of 2,000 physicians and 10,000 other workers. Of the more than 1,800 workers who are members of SEIU-UHW, their contract with Cedars-Sinai expired March 31, 2019.