‘Keeping the Score in CA’ Rally Highlights Good Jobs for Musicians Via Tax Credit Legislation

“Keeping the Score in CA” kickoff concert & media event outside of Los Angeles City Hall on Aug. 19, 2017. (Photos: Linda A. Rapka)

“Momentum is strong, and we can’t let up now!” That was the dominant message on Saturday, Aug. 19 at the “Keeping the Score in CA” free concert and rally at city hall where a crowd of 150 gathered to hear music, politicians and union leaders push for the AB 1300, the music scoring tax credit that will help keep good jobs in California.

“When you look at the overall state budget, the value of retaining these jobs here is of significant state interest,” Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon (D-57th), told the crowd who gathered to hear performances by musicians including Rickey Minor (bandleader for the 69th Annual Emmy Awards whose credits also include “The Tonight Show” and “American Idol”) and Siddhartha Khosla (composer for NBC’s “This Is Us”).

Related: Variety – Musicians Union Members Stage Free Concert to Bring Scoring Jobs Back to L.A. Continue reading →

Solar Eclipse Captures Nation’s Heart

L.A. musicians travel to ‘totality zone’ to experience full force of our nation’s first total eclipse in nearly 100 years

Marcy Vaj and Pam Gates

North America experienced its first total solar eclipse in nearly 100 years on Aug. 21, 2017. Its trajectory crossed the nation from the Pacific to the Atlantic, closely mirroring that of one in June 8, 1918, the last time North America experienced an eclipse in totality. Continue reading →

Max the Trax: Musicians Turn Up Volume on Scoring Tax Credit

California Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon addresses the crowd at the AFM “Keeping the Score in California,” with (from left) RMA’s Marc Sazer, RMALA’s Steve Dress, AFM Local 47’s John Acosta, LA County Federation of Labor’s Rusty Hicks, and Local UNITE HERE Local 11’s Jordan Fein. (Photo: Paula Parisi / MaxTheTrax)

– Published by Max The Trax, Aug. 28, 2017

With three top California assemblyman singing their tune at the American Federation of Musicians’ “Keeping the Score in California” event, it appears as if the tax incentive designed to keep recording work in the state is destined for passage. “I don’t see it as a question of if it’s going to happen, I see it as a question of when it’s going to happen,” said Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, who in April introduced the measure, AB 1300. Continue reading →

Orchestration II with Dr. Norman Ludwin

Saturdays, Sept. 30 – Nov. 18, 10am-1pm

@ AFM Local 47, 3220 Winona Ave. Burbank CA 91504

FREE class exclusively to AFM Local 47 members.
Space is limited! 

Dr. Ludwin provides access to online resources with an interactive website that includes essential class materials, scores and listening samples. Even if you have limited or no experience in orchestration, Ludwin strongly encourages you to attend to learn this important craft that can boost your career.

Students will continue the study of orchestration and elements of texture and form by looking at contemporary concert music, analysis of different composers’ methods of orchestration, and extensive study of film music. Using classic scores and scores he himself has recently worked on, Ludwin will instruct on cues and selections from Michael Giacchino, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, and Thomas Newman, among others. The ending course project is a recording of the students’ original compositions by the Symphony 47 orchestra.

You must be an AFM Local 47 member in good standing to attend this free course.

World-Acclaimed Cellist Lynn Harrell Stars in New Film ‘Cello’

Free screenings in September for Local 47 members

Hannoah Entertainment announces a free film screening of “Cello” for members of Local 47. The new 17-minute short dramatic film about one man’s battle with ALS and the choices he faces, stars renowned soloist and cellist Lynn Harrell in his acting debut. Continue reading →

Calls needed to Keep the Score in CA!

Photo: Linda A. Rapka

Thank you!

Musicians, labor allies and community leaders came together last Saturday at our “Keeping the Score in CA” kickoff concert. Thanks to Rickey Minor, Siddhartha Khosla, and all of our esteemed Assemblymembers and guest speakers for showing our local legislators, and AB 1300 author Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, that music scoring tax credits are a key issue to our community. View the photo gallery and media coverage on the event.

Now let’s thank our Assemblymembers.

Call Majority Leader Ian Calderon and Assemblymembers Sebastian Ridley-Thomas and Jim Cooper to thank them for being champions only for our event, but for our entire industry. Continue reading →

LAYWC: Mobilizing Young People – Tuesday, Aug 29

Dear labor leaders, members, community activists and friends:

Please join us to hear from two dynamic young leaders on how young workers can take on leadership roles and become more politically involved in your community.

What: Los Angeles Young Workers Committee meeting

Who: Guest speakers Mike Fong, Vice President, LA Community College District; & Teri Holoman, Political Director, CA Teachers Association

When: Tuesday, August 29, 6-8pm

Where: The LA Fed, 2130 James M. Wood, Los Angeles CA 90006

Open to young workers 40 and under and young workers at heart. There is no cost to attend, and a light dinner will be served. RSVP to layoungworkers@gmail.com.

Variety: Musicians’ Union Members Stage Free Concert to Bring Scoring Jobs Back to L.A.

By Jon Burlingame, Shirley Halperin

As part of an ongoing effort to return scoring jobs to California, some 150 music professionals supporting Los Angeles musician unions gathered on Saturday (Aug. 19) at Los Angeles City Hall for a free concert. They included members of Local 47 of the American Federation of Musicians, SAG-AFTRA and IATSE; and other music groups including the Society of Composers and Lyricists, the American Youth Symphony, the L.A. Chamber Orchestra, and the Recording Academy of Los Angeles.

Longtime “American Idol” music director Rickey Minor led a six-man band in music throughout the event, and songwriters Siddhartha Khosla and Chris Pierce performed “We Can Always Come Back to This,” the Memphis-soul-style song that proved popular during the past season of “This Is Us.” Continue reading →

Final Note: Glen Campbell

Life Member. Singer-songwriter/guitar
4/22/1936 – 8/8/2017

Glen Travis Campbell was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, television host, and actor. A Life Member of AFM Local 47, he was best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting a music and comedy variety show called “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” on CBS television, from January 1969 through June 1972. Continue reading →