Newsletter Archives: April 2001
04/01/01 Member Benefits
Local 655 Web Page
South Florida Musicians Association...now on the web. Peruse a copy of the latest newsletter, find out about breaking news, look up a phone number of a member, find out about local concerts, and more. Check it out at:
Http://www.afm655.org
MEMBERS: Are you listed in the Referral Program?? Send us your promo pack and get a free promotional page hosted on our web site!
Insurance and Financial Advice
A free no-obligation analysis is available courtesy of the Cultural Community Co-op. Call Raymond Fornino of AXA Advisors at (305) 663-0400 for more information.
04/01/01 That Union Thing
What is a union, anyway? In some ways it's like your local
neighborhood association-a voluntary organization of people banding together
working toward common interests. Unions were created by workers to promote the
interests of workers-working peoples' only organized voice in dealings with
management.
04/01/01 Local 655 Awards MPTF Scholarships
South Florida Musicians Association recently awarded three scholarships (two for $750 and one for $500) for the 2001-2 academic year, courtesy of the Music Performance Trust Funds. The winners are:
04/01/01 Symphonic Shorts
Life on an Orchestra Committee
Leslie Bahler, Florida Philharmonic
I remember the day that I was informed that my status had changed from first
alternate to actual member of the Florida Philharmonic's Orchestra Committee. I
was excited, scared, and in awe of my new responsibilities. I was going to
be able to help make decisions that could make life better for the players.
I was going to be part of the negotiating process. I was gonna know all
the inside stuff! Cool!
04/01/01 Recording Rap
March has been busy for clean-up projects. One important one was finding the
original B-4 contracts for the Dr. John sessions in the early 1970's. There has
been quite a bit of new use for the song "Right Place, Wrong Time". I
received a call from a member reporting the use, so I contacted the jingle
department at the LA Federation looking for the B-forms. There has been a
Heineken commercial running using the song and they needed to bill the company
for reuse for the musicians. As the sessions were done in 1973, I had to dig
through quite a few boxes before finding them. These sessions will now be
documented with both the jingle and newuse departments. Just another reason why
you may want to be on AFM contracts.
I know I wrote about this before, but if you move or drop out of the AFM and
have ever received new use checks, you must call the new use department at the
West Coast Federation to update your information. They work off of the AFM
database; if you drop out of the AFM they have no way of finding you to send
checks. Their phone number is: 323-461-3441 ex. 215.
04/01/01 Casual Corner
FROM JAKE LUGER...
A big thanks to all the musicians from Local 655
participating in MPTF gigs. The co-sponsors and the communities you served
remain most appreciative. I look forward to increased participation from all of
you in the next MPTF fiscal year, which begins May 1.
For those of you who have not yet heard, MPTF has funds still available for
educational performances, and will fund up to 100% of the cost for projects
through April 30. For all other gigs, and for educational gigs after April 30,
please remember that MPTF will fund up to 40% of the cost of those performances!
I look forward to your calls.
04/01/01 Member Feedback
I think the Local is doing an excellent job of getting important news items to the members via the SOUTH FLORIDA MUSICIAN. Jeff Apana is to be commended for the fine work he does for this publication. With all of our busy schedules, I know it's not always possible to verify the accuracy of sources. I read with great interest my copy of the January/February 2001 Vol. 63 No.1 issue, most specifically the column THANK YOU! "Thank you to all of the musicians that refused to cross the SFX picket lines, as well as the musicians who have walked the picket lines, including: ... and anyone else who's name we missed." I would like to amend this by also thanking my wife Sue (also a member of Local 655) and daughter Emily for taking time out from their schedules for joining me and our friends and colleagues in walking the picket lines, and refusing to cross them.Jim Bermann
04/01/01 Official Business
Local hires new Administrative Assistant
Some of you may be aware that Sharon McDermott resigned from
Local 655 to take a position elsewhere. The Executive Board recently voted to
appoint Dione Chandler to replace her as Administrative Assistant.
Dione is an oboist with degrees from Rice University's Shepherd School of Music
and the University of Southern California. She has worked as branch manager of
USCard Services at the USC Medical Campus. She was also the co-founder of a
non-profit contemporary music ensemble in Los Angeles and participated in
community outreach programs through the Los Angeles Youth Symphony.
Dione will begin working for the Local in May. Please take a moment to welcome
her!
04/01/01 President's Report
"Intense" doesn't quite do justice to the past few
months…
… SFX Strike …
Foremost is the fact that we have reached an agreement with SFX that gets our musicians back in the pit making music. We feel it was an excellent agreement and gives Local 655 and the AFM an opportunity to create an entirely new structure for touring shows. There is much to be done, and it is far from a "slam-dunk", but it is an exciting opportunity for change that has long been needed.
