Greetings reader, and welcome to the Overture Online!
This edition marks our very first electronic issue. We hope you will enjoy this new, interactive way to receive your Local 47 news. Continue reading
Special Meeting: Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015
Please join us for a Special Meeting on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015 at 11 a.m.
On the agenda:
– Report by the Motion Picture/TV Employment Task Force
Bagels and coffee will be provided
Final Note: John Bilezikjian
Life Member, Oud
(1948 – 2015)
By Barry Fisher
John, a friend and music colleague of over 50 years, died peacefully after a long painful illness punctuated with pleasure as he continued to perform nearly to the end. Continue reading
Final Note: Paul Chipello
Life Member, Piano
(1943 – 2014)
By Peter Hume
Many musicians in town worked with Paul more than I did. But the gigs we did play together were memorable for their ease and effortless musicality. Long before I met my wife (big band singer Patti Ross) she had worked on casuals with Paul for many years. He was one of her favorite accompanists. Continue reading
Final Note: John Harry Cacavas
Life Member, Composer/Conductor
(1930 – 2014)
By Bonnie Cacavas, wife
Editor’s Note: Local 47 was recently notified of Life Member John Cacavas’s 2014 passing. His wife Bonnie sends in this tribute to share with his friends and colleagues in the musicians union.
John Cacavas, a Greek Renaissance man, was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He died Jan. 28, 2014, at home in Beverly Hills, California. Continue reading
Final Note: Jack Wheaton
Former Member. Piano
(1932 – 2015)
By Dana Wheaton, son
Dr. Jack William Wheaton passed away Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. He was 82 and had battled cancer for the past seven years. Continue reading
Final Note: Sheldon Russell (aka Shelly Gold)
Life Member, Alto/Tenor Saxophone
(1929 – 2015)
By Christine Russell, daughter
Sheldon “Shelly” Russell died on Jan. 8, 2015, at Providence Tarzana Medical Center in Los Angeles from complications due to long-term diabetes. Continue reading
February 2015 In Memoriam
In Memoriam:
Bernard E. Berman
Life Member. Violin
9/16/1925 – 12/18/2014
Survived by spouse & children
Paul W. Chipello
Life Member. Piano
3/27/1943 – 12/25/2014
Survived by spouse & child
Richard L. Dale
Life Member. Clarinet
9/11/1929 – 1/8/2015
Survived by spouse & daughter Continue reading
Hollywood Chamber Hosts State of Entertainment Industry Conference
Rickey Minor, music director of “American Idol,” pictured after his panel talk at the Hollywood Chamber State of the Entertainment Industry Conference. Photo: Linda A. Rapka
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presented its third annual State of the Entertainment Industry Conference Nov. 21, which drew some of the top industry experts to discuss the future of Motion Picture, Television and Recording in Southern California.
Held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Hollywood & Highland, the conference was once again emceed by Vin Di Bona and presented by Variety. Now in its third year, the conference is regarded as the pre-eminent Hollywood forum that focuses on the importance of the Entertainment Industry to California and the steps that need to be taken to keep it healthy.
New California State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León addressed the audience asking people in the Industry to “come back home!” Three panels aimed to provide a detailed look at the industry. Continue reading
Apply for a Union Plus Scholarship
Application Deadline: Jan. 31
Today, rising education costs are making it difficult for even many union families to afford the cost of tuition. That’s one reason Union Plus, which provides important consumer benefits to union members and retirees, offers a unique scholarship program that in just over two decades has awarded over $3.5 million in education funding to more than 2,300 union members, spouses and dependent children. Continue reading