Local 161-710 News
‘Musicians for the Cure’ Top Fundraising Record
Local 161-710’s team for the Susan G. Komen Race for Cure, despite its small size, was the most successful yet. The team raised $2,503.02 as of June 30, a record amount. Thanks to the participants and all who contributed to our efforts this year. We’ll be looking for your support again next year – start saving your spare change now.
– Patty Hurd, Captain
From left are Peter Shaw, Jeff Hurd, Leslie Silverfine, Patty Hurd, Linda Schroeder, Rachael Protos, Elise Baker and Marion Baker. Team members not shown: Bridget Cusick, Susan Kelly, Pam Lassell and Jonathan Shaw.
Audition Announcements Posted
Audition announcements have been posted for assistant concertmaster, Richmond Symphony, and director of music, John Calvin Presbyterian Church. For info visit the Members Only area of this website.
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Nets Wage Increases in 3-Year Agreement
Members of the National Philharmonic Orchestra on June 28 ratified a new collective bargaining agreement producing wage increases of 0.5 percent, 1 percent and 1.5 percent in each of three years. In addition, the musicians could receive an annual bonus of as much as 4 to 5 percent based upon hoped for increases in the employer’s net assets.
“The potential bonus was a management proposal originally offered in lieu of any percentage wage increase,” said Local 161-710 President John Cusick. “The bargaining committee deserves praise for crafting a compromise that shows concrete progress on wages despite the stagnant economy.”
In addition, in keeping with the AFM-EP rehabilitation agreement, the employer will begin immediately to pay pension at the rate of 7.28 percent, increasing to 7.63 percent on April 1, 2011.
There has been concern among musicians about the cost of the National Philharmonic producing large projects involving use of its chorus.
“The National Philharmonic Chorale has made a commitment to develop the extra funding needed to perform the Berlioz Requiem,” said Orchestra Committee Chair Mark Pfannschmidt. “The chorus has been and continues to be a significant source of donations to the National Philharmonic.”
Other improvements include a defined audition procedure, addition of the principal trombone position to the core orchestra, protection of musicians who refuse services on religious holidays, clarification of the role of the orchestra committee and other housekeeping matters that structure the contract more in line with industry standards.
Also serving on the bargaining committee were Judy Silverman, Leslie Silverfine, Chris Gekker and Kathy Ceasar-Spall.
The full contract can be viewed in the Members Only area of the local’s website, www.musiciansdc.org.
Local Helps Talented Young Flutist
Attend Tanglewood Institute
When it learned of the tremendous opportunity awaiting a talented young musician at Suitland High School, the Local 161-710 Executive Board voted to help Atecia Edwards attend a two-week flute workshop at Boston University’s famed Tanglewood Institute.
Not only did the board vote to allocate $500 from the local’s “We Care Fund”; local Vice President Nancy Stutsman, retired bassoonist of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and alumna of Tanglewood offered an additional amount from personal funds.
“I’ll add $200 to the local’s contribution and challenge other Tanglewood alumni to do likewise,” Stutsman said. “This is a wonderful opportunity. I remember my own experience at Tanglewood as ‘super cool.’”
Checks from the local's "We Care" fund and from Stutsman were presented to Atecia at the local's membership meeting May 10, along with an application for youth membership.
Subsequently, pianist Gerald Coleman contributed an additional $50 to the local's effort.
The board learned of Edwards’ accomplishment and need through her instructor. Local 161-710 member John Lagerquist plays piccolo with the KCOHO and is adjunct faculty at the Prince George’s County, Md., high school.
“When she started studying with me, she was pretty much an advanced beginner,” Lagerquist told local President John Cusick. “Now she’s playing Mozart and Griffes, and her strong suit seems to be expression.”
According to Lagerquist, Edwards, a junior, is the first band instrument player from Suitland to gain admission to Tanglewood. “They only take 30 students from audition tapes nationwide. This is a tremendous opportunity for her – it could help her in scholarship applications,” he said.
But to attend, the young musician must raise $2,000 tuition, plus travel and living expenses. Her family has faced economic challenges, particularly since the death of her mother last year.
“Where our string players have had special opportunities in the past, this is the first time our wind students see that it’s possible,” said Ken Boucher, chair of the high school’s music department.
Boucher also thanked Local 161-710 Director Pam Lassell, who has helped with fundraising efforts for the school’s music program in recent years and and has put together a paid orchestra of local members to accompany student musicians in a major concert. For a performance in March, 32 musicians from the local sat side by side with their student counterparts.
“This is fabulous for our program,” Boucher said. “I want to thank the local very much for your generous support, and I want you to know, we’ll continue to use union players whenever we have the chance.”
(Contributions of any amount will be appreciated by the Edwards family. Send checks, payable to “We Care Fund,” to the local. On the memo line write “Atecia Edwards/Tanglewood.” You can meet Atecia at our membership meeting, 7 pm, May 10 at the union hall.)
David Flowers Memorial Fund to Sponsor Student
At NSO Summer Music Institute
Thanks to the generosity of the David Flowers Memorial Fund, a young trumpet player this year will receive up to six private lessons from a member of the National Symphony Orchestra as part of the NSO’s Summer Music Institute and a member of the NSO will give a master class for local music students.
The Local 161-710 Executive Board at its March 10 meeting approved this year’s plan for the disbursement of approximately $500 and ongoing administration of the fund by retired NSO principal tubist David Bragunier.
Flowers played second trumpet in the National Symphony Orchestra from 1964 until he passed away on January 30, 2005. Thanks to the generosity of his friend, actor Bryan Clark and his wife actor Jo Deodato Clark, a memorial fund in his honor was established through Local 161-710. The proceeds of this fund will be disbursed over a 10-year period and will be administered by Flowers’ long-time friend Bragunier, subject to approval by the Executive Board. The monies will be used specifically for the further education of young trumpet students, whether through trumpet lessons, master classes, or other related activities, to be determined from time to time.
Flowers was well known in the Washington, D.C. area, not only as an excellent trumpet player, but as a fine teacher and contractor for many local musical groups.
“Dave is sorely missed by his many friends,” said Bragunier, “and we are thankful to the Clarks for their generous gift which will help us to remember our colleague.”
The NSO Summer Music Institute is a four-week music education program at the Kennedy Center for young musicians ages 15-20 funded mostly by generous donations from the NSO’s national trustees. In addition to receiving private lessons, its students play chamber music and attend master classes and seminars. Their food and housing are paid for by the Institute.
Bragunier served on the jury that selected this year’s participants after listening to about 200 audition CDs.
Membership Dues for 2010
Annual dues for Regular membership in 2010 are $162. Life members will pay $86 and Inactive Life members, $80. Regular members may pay on a quarterly basis $40.50, Life members $21.50 and Inactive Life, $20.
Regular members' dues are apportioned at $56 per capita to the American Federation of Musicians international and $8 to the local's death benefit fund, leaving available to the local $98.
For Life members, $40 per capita goes to the AFM and $8 to the death benefit fund, leaving the local with $38. For Inactive Life, it's $34 to the AFM and $8 to the death benefit fund, also leaving the local with $38.
As the above figures show, the local receives only a portion of the annual dues. The Federation and the death benefit program are funded with the rest.
The local is also funded by work dues paid on performances. The work dues amount depends on the work: based on local scale, 2 percent; symphonic orchestra, 2.05 percent; and AFM-negotiated electronic media agreements, 4.5 percent.
Local Launches 'We Care' Food Bank
Faced with requests to donate food, particularly during the holiday season, Local 161-710 has chosen to establish its own food bank to assist members or others referred by members.
The effort is an extension of the Local’s “We Care Fund,” and will continue to operate on a year-round basis.
If you wish to contribute, please drop canned or other nonperishable food items at the local office, and call us at (202) 337-9325 if you know a member or neighbor in need.
Attention Theatre Musicians:
Get to Know Your Regional Theater Committee
By Dan Hall, Chair
The Local 161-710 Regional Theater Committee is comprised of active members of the local who perform in theaters that have collective bargaining agreements with our local. The RTC is in place to advocate for you, the player. If something arises that you would not feel comfortable addressing personally with the contractor, conductor or theater manager, talk to your RTC member. Our goal is to offer assistance to assure that matters relating to working conditions are resolved quickly.
The following members of our local have expressed a willingness to help provide this service:
George Allen Dan Hall George Hummel
Brett Hunter Sue Kelly Pam Lassell
Aron Rider Chris Royal Paul Schultz
Mary Sugar Alex Tang
Those on this list who are contractors will assist only in situations where they are not acting as such.
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