#WhyUnion? Mitch Glickman

“Without the tremendous support of the Musicians Union, Local 47, the 68-member Symphonic Jazz Orchestra would not exist. The challenge of combining a symphony and a jazz band to perform newly commissioned music blending jazz, classical and other genres was met with the creation of a specially tailored CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement). The Union’s flexibility to work with our unique ensemble allows us to perform and record this special hybrid music with the finest musicians on the planet.”

– Mitch Glickman, Conductor/Composer
Member since 1984

October 2021 Overture Online: National Hispanic Heritage Month

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Inside This Issue:

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Celebrating iconic Latinx musicians of AFM Local 47
 

Musicians Residuals 101

Presented by the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund – Monday, October 4, 6:30-7:30pm
 

AFM Stands in Solidarity With IATSE

Take action to support the Theatrical Stage Employees strike
 

Next General Membership Meeting

On Monday, Oct. 25 members will vote on a resolution to amend the bylaws

and more!

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Latinx Mix – #AFM47 Spotify Playlist

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve created a playlist highlighting music created by iconic Latinx members of AFM Local 47 including Linda Ronstadt, Alex Acuña, Poncho Sanchez, Demi Lovato, Devandra Banhart, Arturo Sandoval, David Hidalgo, Luis Conte and more! Listen here on Spotify:

#WhyUnion? Joseph Stone

“Joining the Musicians Union is the moment when you become a professional musician. The Union is your support team that helps to manage the business side of music making leaving you more time and energy to pursue your artistic and career success. Wages, working conditions, health insurance, pension, dispute resolution, and Intellectual Property Rights protection… there is no practical way a musician can enjoy all those benefits without the being a member of the Musicians’ Union.”

– Joseph Stone, Oboist
Member since 1980

#WhyUnion? Alex Iles

The AFM represents the single most viable organization representing professional musicians of all genres and backgrounds to be treated fairly and to receive the benefits of collective bargaining.

The alternative is to essentially become pawns, each of us fending for ourselves, with nowhere to turn if we are hurt, treated unfairly on the job, or unpaid for our work. Continue reading →

Final Note: Wally Holmes

Wally Holmes: Evangelist, Jazzman, Composer, Impresario, Great Human 

by Richard Simon & Cynthia Crosby

 “I should have gone in and pounded the table,” he said, “but that isn’t my style.”  

Wally Holmes didn’t need to pound tables; throughout his life, he commanded attention the old-fashioned way:  through talent, hard work, persistence – and an astonishing skill in the obscure art of solfeggio.

Continue reading →

#WhyUnion? Marc Sazer

Whether our work is on stage, in a pit, on a scoring stage or a studio, whether we’re playing in a restaurant or a hotel ballroom, union coverage means we’re not alone. Getting the right money, health and safety protections, protections for the use of our music when others use it, access to health care and pension benefits are all important.

Perhaps the most important aspect of our union is that it is made up of us — musicians. We can vote on our contracts, work with our Local and the AFM for the help we need, have a voice in public policy in areas that affect our lives.

Imagine what our world would be without our contracts, without our union, musicians out there in the workplace alone. If we agree that we need a musicians union, our participation is what makes it happen.

– Marc Sazer, Violinist
Member since 1980

Final Note: Ernie Ehrhardt

Life Member. Cello
8/8/1946 – 8/17/2021

by Cecilia Tsan

Requiescat in Pace, dear Ernie Ehrhardt! So sad to see how this terrible disease took you so fast. You’ve been my caring stand partner as Assistant Principal with the Long Beach Symphony for 20 years and 20 more before I joined as Principal. We shared so many great memories together and you always tried your best during rehearsals and concerts. Thanks for your dedication to the Orchestra, your sense of humor and your passion for music. You will be missed.