Life Member. Piano
(1939-2014)
By Jason Bourne, son
Magic piano man David E. Bourne passed away on Jan. 30, 2015, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Continue reading
Bing Crosby, Maestro Burns Named Members of Local 47 (from the archives)
#TBT – This Throwback Thursday post goes WAY back: This article originally appeared in the April 1941 issue of the AFM Local 47 Overture!
DR. CROSBY AND MAESTRO BURNS NOW MEMBERS OF LOCAL 47
Members of Local 47 take a great deal of pleasure in welcoming two of the finest gentlemen they know into their Association: Bing Crosby and Bob Burns. Continue reading
Orchestration Classes with Dr. Norman Ludwin
Free courses for all Local 47 members
RSVP: 323.993.3179, jeff.surga@promusic47.org
Orchestration I: July 18-Sept 5, 2015
Participants are introduced to orchestral instruments and their usage. Two areas are covered: instrumentation, which deals with the construction, sound production, range, notation, and playing techniques of each instrument; and orchestration, which is the actual process of scoring music for orchestra. Groups of instruments examined include brass, strings, woodwinds, keyboards, harp, and percussion. Class sessions involve score study, instrumental demonstrations, and performance and discussion of student assignments. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of music fundamentals; e.g. notes, keys, scales, meter, etc. RSVP: 323.993.3179, jeff.surga@promusic47.org
Orchestration II: Sept 12-Oct 31, 2015
Students will learn composition and elements of form by looking at contemporary styles of music, score study, analysis of different composers’ methods of orchestration, score reduction (e.g. learning how to reduce an orchestral score to a piano part, or reducing to a five-line staff), and possible guest lecturers. The ending course project is a recording of students’ original compositions by the Symphony 47 orchestra.
Meet the Wrecking Crew!
LA studio musicians who recorded the soundtrack of the 1960s profiled in Denny Tedesco’s feature documentary
By Linda A. Rapka
You may not know their names, but you know their music.
The soundtrack of the late 1950s and 1960s was largely recorded by a group of Los Angeles studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew. The Beach Boys, Frank and Nancy Sinatra, Sonny and Cher, Jan & Dean, Elvis Presley, the Monkees, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, the Mamas & the Papas, Simon and Garfunkel, the Tijuana Brass, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Rivers, and even Alvin and the Chipmunks are but a small few of the hundreds of popular artists for whom the Crew recorded, though more often than not were left uncredited on the album sleeve. Continue reading
Support the Local 47 Political Action Committee Fund
CHECK THE BOX
Let’s take our voices straight
to City Hall!
Your voluntary contributions will allow us to take our concerns directly to City Hall by supporting candidates and legislation that furthers the goals of professional musicians in Los Angeles.
Donate Today!
- Check the “Local 47 PAC” box on your Dues Statement and write in your desired donation amount.
- Send a check payable to: “Local 47 PAC” 817 Vine St. Hollywood CA 90038.
- Log in to your member account at afm47.org/user/login (Payments > Funds Payments)
March 2015 Overture Online: Meet the Wrecking Crew!
Overture Online: March 2015
NEW ISSUE OUT NOW – Read the Overture Online on your smartphone or tablet available from the App Store or Google Play.
While Overture Online is optimized for reading via the app versions, readers may also access the new issue on your web browser here.
Final Notes: Neil LeVang
Life Member. Violin
(1932 – 2015)
By Mark LeVang, son
My father, Neil LeVang, the noted studio guitarist whose list of credits includes hundreds of television and film dates as well as a 23-year career with the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, died at home, peacefully in his sleep on Jan. 26. He was 83. Continue reading
Final Note: Donald Waldrop
Life Member. Bass Trombone
(1940-2014)
By Miles Anderson
As many of you may know, Don was an excellent all-round musician capable of performing in quite diverse musical genres. Today, this ability is pretty much taken for granted, but 40 years ago, not so much. Don was also ahead of his time in doubling on bass trombone and tuba. Today, it’s an economic necessity. (He was also an outstanding copyist of the pre-Finale era.) Don’s curiosity and intelligence went well beyond music, and contributed much to our lively friendship. RIP Don.
Final Note: John Haig Bilezikjian
Life Member. Oud
(1948-2015)
By Miamon Miller
I first saw John Bilezikjian perform some 40 years ago and have been fortunate to play with him many times over the past 25 years. We must have worked at least 100 jobs together, and over that span I never heard him play a wrong note or a note out of time. Continue reading
March 2015 In Memoriam
In Memoriam
Raymond D. Acton
Life Member. Horn
8/8/1921 – 12/7/2014
Survived by daughter
John H. Bilezikjian
Life Member. Oud
2/1/1948 – 1/19/2015
Survived by spouse & children
Boniface “Buddy” De Franco
Life Member. Saxophone
2/17/1923 – 12/24/2014
Survived by spouse & family
Travis Warren
Life Member. Piano
7/30/1927 – 2/3/2015
Survived by spouse & children