Overture front page covers from the Local 47 Archive
by Linda A. Rapka
From newsletter to magazine to newspaper — and soon to be digital electronic publication and print quarterly color magazine — the publication has undergone quite a few transformations since its inception. By venturing down into the Local 47 archives, we can take a journey back in time to discover how the Overture began all those years ago. Continue reading
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With the January 2015 issue of Overture comes a special announcement: The official publication of AFM Local 47 is going digital!
Starting next month, we are re-launching as a monthly electronic publication. In addition to continuing to offer union news and musicians’ stories monthly in this new and wider-reaching online format, we will continue to also preserve the legacy of print by providing Local 47 members with a newly redesigned, full-color magazine each quarter. Continue reading
An Interview with Author Dr. Kristy M. Morrell by Katie Upton
In October 2014, Glen Lyon Books released “Musician, Heal Thyself,” a book by Dr. Kristy M. Morrell of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and professor at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. Tagged as a “self-help guide for hornists”, this book is written to empower the horn player, help them reevaluate the way they approach the horn, and identify potential issues holding them back. Many of us spent our college years looking for the hypothetical “golden teacher,” the one that would lead us to success, but this book affirms that you are your most important teacher and shows you how to make every practice session the best lesson you will ever have. On Oct. 24, Katie Upton met with Dr. Morrell outside of her office on the USC campus for the following interview.
Many people are content sharing their ideas by teaching lessons or masterclasses. What was your driving force for taking on such a large project as writing a book?
I have been planning to write a book for several years; it has been a long-term goal of mine. I finally decided it was time and I just sat down and did it. I had to keep regular hours of writing and give myself goals to finally finish it.
I imagine that students can take this book into the practice room and use it to help them figure out how to solve problems. I was going for convenient and concise because when I’m practicing, that’s what I want. Here’s the problem, what am I going to do about it? Continue reading
At once slickly modern and touched by nostalgia, The Bridge Recording stands true to its name as a testament to bridging past and present. Sparing no effort or expense, owner/engineer Greg Curtis opened the doors of his dream vision in 2010. The 6,500 square foot scoring and mixing facility houses an 1,800 square foot stage with 23 foot ceilings, two large ISO rooms and a spacious control room. Among the equipment and decor are various nods to the past, none more prominent than the behemoth Neve 96-channel console with provenance from Paramount’s historic Stage M.
Besides being the home of the USC scoring sessions and the likes of Adele and Idina Menzel, the studio records a host of today’s top TV shows including “Da Vinci’s Demons,” ”Once Upon A Time,” “Constantine,” “The Simpsons” and “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” to name just a few. At a recent “Person of Interest” scoring session, Curtis welcomed interviewer Linda A. Rapka and photographer Erik Rynearson to share how The Bridge in just a few short years finds itself as one of the hottest recording spots in town.
Tell me how you became involved in the recording industry.
I’ve been a lifelong musician, a trumpet player, since 5th grade in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. That would set the trajectory for my life in music. I still play a little bit, but I spend so much time here and am mainly at home with my family and three kids, ages 3, 5 and 7. That’s prime time for me. I want to give them as much time as I can while I can. That’s a luxury to have.
With the theme “The Psychedelic Sixties,” things couldn’t help getting groovy at this year’s Musicians Foundation of Los Angeles golf tournament.
Held on Sept. 29, the annual fall classic fundraiser welcomed a new location, the Angeles National Golf Club in Sunland — the first and only Nicklaus Design golf Course in L.A. County!
Golfers enjoyed a morning and afternoon on the beautiful greens, and Local 47 musical group The Hodads — led by Tony Jones with Robert Schuster, John Hatton, Sterling Smith and Jeff Takiguchi dressed in their most impressive swinging sixties attire — provided musical entertainment throughout the day. Once again, trumpeters Jack Coan and Jerry Kadovitz provided their unique brand of musical commentary to golfers vying for that perfect drive. Continue reading
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City Council members voice support to keep Boyle Heights Mariachi Plaza intact
by Linda A. Rapka
Things are looking up for Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights, whose fate has been in question since plans were announced to develop the area into a modern shopping mall.
Mariachi musicians from throughout Los Angeles have gathered at the plaza since the 1930s to perform together and to get hired for work. In recent years the area has undergone numerous changes, largely viewed as positive, including a Metro Gold Line station and a large new stage.
But plans by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to build medical offices, restaurants, a gym and stores along the property across from the plaza have the community worried that the mariachis’ livelihood and their cultural center could be threatened, even wiped out. Continue reading
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AFM Local 47 members vote in John Acosta as President, Rick Baptist as VP
John Acosta
LOS ANGELES, CA (Dec. 16, 2014) — Members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 have elected new leadership, with current vice president John Acosta rising rank as the union’s new president.
Replacing Acosta as vice president and joining the Local 47 executive board for the first time is veteran studio musician Rick Baptist. Gary Lasley will serve a third term as secretary/treasurer. Acosta succeeds Vince Trombetta, who has been president of the Los Angeles musicians union since 2009. All three titled officers ran unopposed in the Local 47 general election held on Dec. 9. Continue reading
First Lady Michelle Obama presented Project STEP with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, along with a $10,000 gift, in a ceremony at the White House on Nov. 10. Chosen from a national pool of more than 350 nominations and 50 finalists, STEP is one of 12 programs across the country to receive this prestigious honor. Project STEP Executive Director Mary Jaffee and 11-year-old student Ajani Boyd traveled to the White House to accept the honor in person. Photo: Steven E. Purcell
Boston music program offers unique opportunities for minority students through music education
By Linda A. Rapka
If anyone can attest to the life-changing power of music, it’s 19-year-old Njeri Grevious.
She went from living out of a car to studying applied math at Yale thanks to her music studies at Project STEP, a rigorous, year-round Strings Training and Education Program based in Boston. Growing up in a divorced household, sometimes living with her single mother and two younger siblings out of their car, Grevious poured herself into her music studies at Project STEP. In doing so, she found a path to success during a childhood of obstacles. Continue reading
Congratulations to all candidates for office, and thank you to all members who voted, in the 2014 Local 47 General Election.
Local 47 2014 Election Returns*
PRESIDENT (Elect One)
John Acosta 362
VICE PRESIDENT (Elect One)
Rick Baptist 343
SECRETARY/TREASURER (Elect One)
Gary Lasley 344
TRUSTEE (Elect Three)
Judy Chilnick 327
Bonnie Janofsky 303
Dylan Hart 296
DIRECTOR (Elect Six)
Pam Gates 263
Bill Reichenbach 255
Phil O’Connor 252
Vivian Wolf 239
Andy Malloy 232
John Lofton 219
Marcy Vaj 188
Jeff Surga 128
HEARING BOARD (Elect Seven)
Alan Estes 273
Allen Savedoff 265
Norman Ludwin 261
Chuck Flores 258
Jon Kurnick 247
Marc Sazer 230
Jeff Lass 206
DELEGATE TO THE AFM CONVENTION (Elect Three)
Pam Gates 309
Bonnie Janofsky 294
Norman Ludwin 291
FIRST ALTERNATE DELEGATE (Elect One)
Phil O’Connor 342
SECOND ALTERNATE DELEGATE (Elect One)
Vivian Wolf 322
* These are the results of tallying by the California Elections Company of ballots cast by eligible voters of the Local 47 general membership in the Biennial General Election held Dec. 9, 2014. Certification and declaration of the election by the Election Board is pending per Article IX, Section 16 of the Local 47 Bylaws.
Students and seniors come together to play music with The 5th Dementia, the debut band of MusicMendsMinds. The nonprofit organization dedicates itself to assisting those affected by Alzheimer’s and other cognitive dementias to restore their confidence, dignity, and self-worth.
MusicMendsMinds organization seeks to ‘restore the rhythm of life’ by bringing together seniors and students in musical therapy
by Benjamin Nguyen
Proving that music truly can be one of life’s greatest gifts, the new intergenerational music therapy project MusicMendsMinds is dedicated to “restoring the rhythm of life” for individuals in West Los Angeles who are affected by Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or cognitive dementias.
Carol and Irwin Rosenstein founded the organization after their own success story with music and social support. Irwin, a former real estate lawyer, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2006. Until recently, the Rosenstein’s felt their lives slipping away while dealing with the adversities from Parkinson’s. “There were some days, many, when I just didn’t have enough to make life worthwhile,” Irwin said. Continue reading