November 15th, 2008 The Committee
I. COMMENT CONCERNING SAN FRANCISCO RECORDING MUSICIANS
II. RESPONSE FROM THJE SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA COMMITTEE
III. MORE ABOUT THE PASADENA SYMPHONY/POPS/YOUTH ORCHESTRA
IV. REACTIONS TO MR. MEARES
V. COMMENTS
VI. CONCERTS AND EVENTS
================
I. MEMBER COMMENT CONCERNING SAN FRANCISCO RECORDING MUSICIANS
Quote from a Variety Article:
“San Francisco Local 6 has used it (one-offs) to lure game-scoring
work to the Bay Area, effectively pitting its union musicians against
L.A. union players.” -
Jon Burlingame NY Times Variety
What Mr. Burlingame does not understand, is the RMA used (and I
mean used) the San Francisco RMA to try to negotiate a deal while
RMALA represented itself as the non-union PMG, while being a
member of the AFM. And now, SF Local 6 is being villified by a writer
who has no clue what the real issues are. How dumb can you be? SF
Local 6 and L.A. union players are in the same union, you idiot. Butt
out! And why should SF Local 6 support RMALA, an organization that
pretends not to be in the AFM and openly states that RMA Los Angeles
should have most of the video game work. Northen California is where
the cutting edge technology started, dude. The RMALA/PMG has cooked
the goose that laid the golden egg. RMA members are the ones who
first went to Seattle, Prague, London, etc. to record non-union. Oh, and
Skywalker Ranch as well.
[EDITOR'S COMMENT - No need to go into great detail here - those who've
read these offerings knows the RMA chased the work out of town themselves,
no one took it from them. Change the conduct, change the results. We thank
the member who wrote the above comment for his participation.]
==============
II. RESPONSE FROM THJE SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA COMMITTEE
We, the Santa Barbara Symphony Musicians’ Committee feel compelled
to respond to your recent post “Watch Out Santa Barbara Symphony Members”.
This is not an attempt to discuss particular personalities associated with
the =organization but rather to clarify the hiring and seating policies about
which was said:
-The Santa Barbara Symphony has hired a new conductor.
-The new conductor is hiring new musicians, moving many established members
back in the sections.
The SBSO has indeed hired a Music Director and he is in his 3rd season.
During his tenure, the SBSO has hired many new musicians through a fair
and carefully monitored audition process as outlined in our Collective
Bargaining Agreement. The auditions were held for genuine vacancies.
The string players in the SBSO have experienced some rearrangement in
seating. The reason is the creation of new Assistant Principal string positions.
In the interest of fairness, these newly created premium positions were filled
by audition and yes, players who had been occupying those seats and who chose
not to audition or did not win the audition have been rotated into section seats.
In fact, some of those very musicians were on the committee which negotiated
for the positions. Any member of the orchestra had the opportunity to audition
for these new title-chair positions.
Furthermore, an initial seniority based call order for strings was instituted
during this time which guaranteed first call of employment for more established
members.
This call order has served as the initial starting point whereby a mechanical
rotation will be implemented beginning this season.
Thank you for your attention.
Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra Committee
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November 10th, 2008 The Committee
I. GET YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST FORM NOW!
II. AFM/RMA SUMMIT
III. OPERA PACIFIC CLOSES DOWN
IV. COMMENTS
V. CONCERTS AND EVENTS
=================
I. GET YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT NOW!
Colleagues,
The time window for getting your absentee ballot, receiving it, voting and
getting it back to the voting company in time for our election IN December
is fast closing!
You can get a printable PDF of the absentee ballot request form from the Local
47 website, under headlines, or from our website, www.responsible47.com.
You’ll find it in the list to the left of the main screen.
Once again, our endorsements are:
Dr. Bobby Rodriguez - Director
Charles Fernandez - Director
Ron Hess - Director and Delegate
Ira Nepus - Director
These are the new faces needed to help bring balance to our Local 47 board.
————-
MAKE SURE THE CANDIDATES HAVE EARNED YOUR VOTE!
As we hear often, actions speak louder than words. If you do not like the choices
on the ballot or how the board members have used their positions, don’t give
them your vote. Every vote for those you don’t really support reduce the chance
for change and balance.
Our recommendation: If you don’t like the officers running, leave that area blank.
It does in fact send a message.
If you only support four or five of those running for various positions, vote for
only them.
We need to have more diverse, TRUE representation on our board and only you
can deliver it. Please help us help you.
THE COMMITTEE
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November 3rd, 2008 The Committee
SPECIAL EDITION
I. THE COMMITTEE ENDORSES
DOWNLOAD AN ABSENTEE REQUEST FROM THE LOCAL 47 WEBSITE
II. FINAL FIRST ROUND GRAMMY INFO
================
I. THE COMMITTEE ENDORSES
Two years ago, most assumed Presidential candidate David Schubach
was an easy win, so easy in fact that many didn’t bother to vote. We
all saw the result. Don’t make the same mistake this year!
None of the officers positions are opposed, but you still need to vote.
You can bring more balance to your board by voting in new people who
will challenge the “old boy” special interest network.
There is one board member who’s really taken it to the board for the
Rank and File and three new faces running who are garaunteed to
work toward the interests of ALL the members, with no group favored,
and will keep the officers in check.
After considering all the candidates listed in the Overture and their actions,
not their words,
THE COMMITTEE STRONGLY ENDORSES:
DR. BOBBY RODRIGUEZ - Current board member
CHARLES FERNANDEZ
RON HESS
IRA NEPUS
These new faces will shine more light on the board and bring a balance
we’ve not had in far too many years.
(SEE THEIR STATEMENTS BELOW)
————-
DOWNLOAD THE ABSENTEE BALLOT FROM THE LOCAL 47 WEBSITE AND
SEND IT RIGHT AWAY!
If you cannot come to the Local to vote on December 9th, you must:
1) Download the Ballot request.
2) Mail it to the election company.
3) Wait for the real ballot to get to you, then
4) MAIL IN THE BALLOT TO THE LOCAL!
This takes time so you need to act now.
If only half of those Local 47 members who read this mailing vote, there WILL
be change on December 9th.
The future of your Local needs you. Please vote!
Also, remember you do NOT have to vote for the officers or the full number of
candidates you are entitled to vote for. Only vote for those who’ve earned your
vote, and send a message to those who haven’t. You can vote for only those
you really support and leave the rest blank.
THE COMMITTEE
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October 29th, 2008 The Committee
NO MEETING/SLAP/POPS/SANTA BARBARA/GRAMMY INFO/COMMENTS/CONCERTS
I. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, QUORUM NOT MET - NO LOCAL 47 MEETING
II. A FINAL SLAP IN THE FACE BY THE ESPINOSA ADMINISTRATION-
Auditorium Renovation done by NON-UNION Company
III. MORE ON THE PASADENA POPS/PASADENA SYMPHONY
IV. WATCH OUT SANTA BARBARA SYMPHONY MEMBERS!
V. MEMBER GRAMMY INFO!
VI. COMMENTS
VII. CONCERTS AND EVENTS
================
ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH, OUR NATIONAL ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE. HOWEVER YOU VOTE,… VOTE!
I. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, QUORUM NOT MET - NO MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
There were 37 in attendance this past Monday. In January, 2007 there was a resolution
passed to require the board to open an immediate board meeting on the spot if there
was no quorum, so that the members in attendance can be heard.
A loophole exists however. if no Resolution is on the agenda the board can choose
to open a meeting but doesn’t have to. Especially with AFM Secretary Sam Folio
attending the meeting, we feel the right thing to do would have been to open a meeting,
As we have seen again and again, whenever this board with the current officers are
given the chance to be open or closed, they always choose to shut out the membership.
Monday was no different.
President Espinosa said that we could ask questions of the AFM Secretary individually,
with soon to be President Trombetta adding, “but he cannot do it at the microphone.’
Conduct that, while legal, is still shameless.
What could they have been afraid of having put on the record?
See below….
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October 25th, 2008 The Committee
I. UNION MEETING THIS MONDAY!/SEND US YOUR GRAMMY INFO!
II. RECORDING MUSICIANS LAWSUIT
III. A RELATED COMMENT
IV. PASADENA POPS/SYMPHONY NEWS
V. COMMENTS
VI. LOTS OF CONCERTS AND EVENTS!
================
I. NEXT UNION MEETING
Colleagues,
The next union meeting is this Monday night, October 27th, 2008 at 7 pm at
the Local 47 Auditorium.
Get involved!
ALSO,…. We invite all members with Grammy Nominations to send us your info
so we can get it out to the membership, brag about you a bit and perhaps gain
you a few votes from the members of this list!
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October 20th, 2008 The Committee
I. NEXT UNION MEETING OCTOBER 27th
II. NEAL HEFTI PASSES
III. THE NASHVILLE SITUATION
IV. COMMENTS
VI. CONCERTS AND EVENTS
================
I. NEXT UNION MEETING
Colleagues,
The next union meeting will be held Monday, October 27th, 2008
at 7 pm at the Local 47 Auditorium.
Don’t leave the future of our Local to anyone else. Get involved.
================
II. RECORDING MUSICIAN LAWSUIT
DUES DEPOSITED IN LAWSUIT ACCOUNT IN AUGUST
$19,793.81
================
III. NEAL HEFTI PASSES
NEAL HEFTI
October 29, 1922 - October 11, 2008
Our music community has lost another legend.
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October 11th, 2008 The Committee
I. OCTOBER 22nd SPECIAL ELECTION FOR SECRETARY TREASURER
DAVID SCHUBACH FOR SECRETARY-TREASURER!
II. BOARD CUTS ENTIRE ADVERTISING BUDGET FOR SELECT SERVICES
III. HEARD ABOUT THE RMA MEETINGS
IV. COMMENTS
Greetings Colleagues,
DON’T FORGET THE OCTOBER 22nd MEETING!
We have an update on the Local 47 “Scuttling” email. As you’ll remember,
the Local sent out an email on September 26th saying they had scuttled the
NES session. We now have confirmation that President Espinosa was sent an
email by the publisher of Film Music Magazine on Saturday, September 22nd
at 6:41p.m., informing him that the session did indeed happen, and asking for
his comment. This notice was also sent to John Acosta, Electronic Media
Services Director and the president of the RMA.
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October 10th, 2008 The Committee
I. NEXT UNION MEETING OCTOBER 27th
II. SUMMIT IN OCTOBER
III. PRAISE FOR LOCAL 47’s JOHN ACOSTA
IV. BILL CONTI AT ASMAC - OCTOBER 15th
V. COMMENTS
VI. CONCERTS AND EVENTS
================
I. NEXT UNION MEETING
Colleagues,
The next union meeting will be held Monday, October 27th, 2008
at 7 pm at the Local 47 Auditorium.
Don’t leave the future of our Local to anyone else. Get involved.
================
II. SUMMIT IN OCTOBER
We hear from another AFM blog that this month (October) the AFM Officers
and the RMA/PMG folks will meet. It’s likely that one of the things
on the agenda will be deciding what to do with Andy Malloy (PMG
president) and Marc Sazer (PMG Secretary/RMA VP) for their
creation (with many other recording members) of the Professional
Musicians Guild, a union busting organization that will be illegal
the moment they become active.
Let’s hope the AFM doesn’t cave to the those fighting for the wallets
of the few, while the AFM is fighting for the future and rights of
the many.
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October 3rd, 2008 The Committee
I. RECENT COMPOSERS EXPO MAKES PICTURE CLEARER
II. NOTICE FROM JEANNIE POOL
III. LET’S TALK - A comment for the future
IV. COMMENTS
V. CONCERTS AND EVENTS
================
I. RECENT COMPOSER EXPO MAKES PICTURE CLEARER
At a recent Composer Expo near LAX we got a good picture of where
things are going as far as recording and the situation composers find
themselves in.
1) There were no less than three remote recording orchestras represented at
the event by company representatives or paid advertising including orchestras
from Prague and two orchestras from Bulgaria.
2) When composers were asked what percentage of their work now consisted of
package deals, most composers responded that package deals represent 85% or
MORE of their work in today’s market. One even said they cannot remember the
last time they did a job that wasn’t a deal. Other interested parties said that there
is no doubt that buyouts are the future and that those who don’t offer them will
be left by the side of the road.
3) Keeping the above in mind: Roger Blanc, president of the RMA-NY, was asked
at the NEW YORK EXPO if he could see any situation where he would accept
a buyout. With RMA International President Phil Ayling looking on from the front
row, Mr. Blanc gave the hesitant answer, “No”.
When will the coin drop? And who will be left when it finally does?
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September 25th, 2008 The Committee
I. EARL PALMER AND PETER QUESADA PASS
II. MORE RMA SMOKE AND MIRRORS
III. COMMENTS
IV. CONCERTS AND EVENTS
================
I. EARL PALMER AND PETER QUESADA PASS
EARL PALMER
Session drummer whose distinctive style was a feature of many of the
great classics of rock ‘ n’ roll.
Earl Palmer, who died on Friday aged 84, was a session drummer
whose subtle pioneering backbeats featured on many of the R&B
classics of his day.
An ever-adaptable, jazz-rooted drummer esteemed by Shelly Manne
and Charlie Watts, Palmer made a distinctive contribution to innumerable
records, among them Nat Cole’s Ramblin’ Rose, Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti,
Elvis Costello’s King of America, the Righteous Brothers’ You’ve Lost
That Lovin’ Feelin’ and Ike and Tina Turner’s River Deep, Mountain High.
—————
PETER QUESADA
Peter Alfonso Quesada y Fimbres was a product of the barrios of East Los
Angeles. He began the study of the violin at the age of 11, studying with
Ida Pepper and Aaron Kaminsky.
Upon being discharged from the USAF, he married and had children. Finding
no symphony in his immediate area, he formed the Carson Symphony. Later,
seeing the lack of an orchestra to serve the Latino community in East Los Angeles
he formed La Sinfonica Del Barrio/The Barrio Symphony in 1974 to great acclaim
and with much success.
From this orchestra have come many excellent musicians who have gone onto
world class orchestras such as: the San Francisco Symphony, the Beersheba
Orchestra (Israel), Miami Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood
Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Cape Town South Africa Symphony,
the Bamberg Symphony, and other orchestras in Europe and Asia.
His music career has taken him to Europe, North Africa, Japan, Mexico and many other
places on the globe where he has either conducted or performed as a violinist. Among
some of the orchestras he has conducted is the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the
Hollywood Bowl. He has performed with such artists as Louis Belling, Alicia Keyes,
Whitney Houston, Tony Bennet, NSYNC, Rod Stewart, Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel, SEAL,
Sean P. Diddy Colms, and many more.
Peter was a true treasure to Los Angeles. He will be dearly missed.
A tribute is being planned for January 08. 2009
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