The Committee For A More Responsible Local 47

RS WEBSITE / FMA REPORT / MERRIMACK / FEATURED COMMENT / COMMENTS / EVENTS

May 28th, 2010 The Committee

I. REFERRAL SERVICE WEBSITE IS UP!… and then the axe.
II. SPECIAL FMA REPORT - REFERRAL SERVICE
III. MERRIMACK NEWSLETTER
IV. FEATURED COMMENT
V. COMMENTS
VI. EVENTS

===========================

I. REFERRAL SERVICE WEBSITE IS UP!… and then the axe.

It had taken years of concerted effort by the Referral
Service Committee (Created by the membership) to get the
Local to get the Referral Service website up and running two
years late, including an embarrassing loss of tens of thousands
of dollars to a web designer WITHOUT A CONTRACT hired by
the previous administration.

THE AXE

Within days of the site becoming active President Trombetta
dissolved the Referral Service Committee. No notice, no
discussion, it’s simply gone. Did the board know?

YET ANOTHER ILLEGAL ACTION BY THE PRESIDENT
It’s become quite a habit with him.

Unfortunately for the President, his action was illegal.
The Referral Service Committee was created by the membership
at a general membership meeting, manned with people elected
to that committee at that same meeting.

Neither the President, Vice-President nor the Secretary has the authority
to dissolve any Local 47 committee that was created by the membership.
The ultimate authority of our local is still the membership, or at least
those who show up. It must be dissolved by the membership at another
meeting.

Our sources tell us that the officers don’t want ANYONE holding
them accountable, looking over their shoulders or keeping them
from doing what they want to do with the site. Who’ll get the jobs
it produces now? We’ll see.

The Officers of this Local are scarily consistent, aren’t they? One step
forward, then they take the shoes.

The FMA just released this special FMA Report

Please read it below.

THE COMMITTEE

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HACKING / OVERTURE / NASHVILLE NOTE / DECLARATION / COMMENTS / EVENTS

May 21st, 2010 The Committee

I. THE COMPUTER “HACKING” FARCE
II. AN INTERESTING OVERTURE
III. NOTE FROM DAVE POMEROY, PRESIDENT, AFM 257
IV. DECLARATION OF DR. LEN BERGANTINO, ED.D., A.B.P.P.
V. COMMENTS
VI. EVENTS

===========================

I. THE COMPUTER “HACKING” FARCE

After several calls to the AFM for the straight info, we finally
found someone there close enough to the investigation to give
us the real deal:

“At this point the AFM has offered to share whatever information it
has obtained from the forensic experts with local 47 computer experts,
we offered to work with local 47 computer experts to verify what is on
the AFM computers in the local 47 computer room. There is absolutely
nothing on the Local 47 computers that the AFM, under its bylaws,
wouldn’t be entitled to see or examine. Information of a personal nature
is membership information which the AFM locals are required to send
to the Federation monthly.

The AFM has hired a computer forensic company. The company
representatives have mirrored the drives of the two computers used,
encrypted the information so that no one can access it, reported that
the information downloaded was indeed B-report forms (which the AFM
is entitled to have) and we await Local 47 to respond to a request for
the AFM to allow the AFM forensic experts to examine the AFM
computers in the Local 47 computer room. It appears that Local 47 is
purposely going slow on this investigation. And so far, Local 47 officials
don’t seem to know what it gave the AFM access to. There are nothing
but vague accusations of unauthorized downloading but Local 47 officials
should know what information they gave the AFM access to, yet nothing
is coming from Local 47 to provide anything other than the accusations.”

—————————

Colleagues,

At this point the RMA/Local has grabbed hold of this and they want to play
this through the convention. The RMA has little interest in the facts.
The facts in almost any situation never support the RMA, so the RMA
and Local 47 would rather use innuendos in order to contaminate the
atmosphere of the upcoming convention and the election process
that will take place there.

Watch how fast this falls away after the convention. If Local 47 really wanted
to address this matter it could be done in less than a week’s time and
everyone would know the outcome. But that doesn’t play into the RMA/Local’s
plan for the convention.

This is the clearest evidence yet of the near total corruption of our officers
by the RMA. Allowing them to highjack the Overture at will through the
officers and even control the pace of Local 47 investigations.

While the Officers seem to do their due diligence for Orchestral negotiations,
(and we have many wonderful employees in the downstairs offices)
as you’ll read below in the next section, the board is allowing policy
decisions that can only hurt rank and file members and recording, create
more non-union work and aid remote recording in Eastern Europe by
disallowing the use of demo scales for films, which will destroy whatever
market there was left for recording student films union, and whatever
meager amounts of pension and H and W that produced.

Way to go, 47.

THE COMMITTEE

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AFM CONVENTION / SELA REPORT / PENSION / COMMENTS / EVENTS

May 15th, 2010 The Committee

I. THE AFM CONVENTION IS COMING
II. FMA SELA REPORT AND THANKS TO VP ACOSTA
III. FMA-L.A. Notice re: Pension information.
IV. COMMENTS
V. EVENTS

===========================

I. THE AFM CONVENTION IS COMING!

Colleagues,

The 98th AFM convention will be happening in just a few weeks in
Las Vegas, from June 19-20 (Canadian) to June 21-24 (Total
Federation).

The information below is from the 98th AFM Convention website:

Ever wonder what takes place at an AFM convention? Ever wanted
to watch your local delegates in action? Well, now you can! This
year, on June 18-20, AFM delegates will again gather in Las Vegas,
Nevada, to determine the direction of the AFM. While all locals are
entitled to send elected delegates, members at large have often
been excluded from attending. The AFM is pleased to announce
that members and spouses who wish to attend the convention as
guests may do so. The Riviera Hotel has kindly extended its special
low room rate to all AFM members during convention week.

If you choose to attend, you will be invited to the gala reception on
Sunday evening that will feature the best in live music. There will be
bands performing on Sunday afternoon in the convention area while
the delegates preregister for the convention. Visitors will be given
badges which allow them access to the convention area, and entitle
them to hear the floor debate on crucial issues facing the AFM today.
They will also receive a souvenir convention program and discount
coupons for shows.

Visitors will have a chance to meet Federation officers as well as local
officers from all around the US and Canada. They will also hear the
Federation president’s State of the Union message and listen to the
floor debate on resolutions. In addition, there will be plenty of
opportunities to see the sights in and around Las Vegas. Day trips
to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon are available, plus the myriad
of shows in and around the world-famous Vegas strip. So mark the
dates on your calendar and prepare to watch democracy in action
at the AFM convention.

===========================

II. FMA SELA REPORT AND THANKS TO VP ACOSTA

Dear Freelance Musicians Assn-L.A.:

This is a special update on efforts by our Local #47 VP John Acosta
to restore our SELA.
We are still committed to getting our SELA back NOW!
We encourage everyone to please remain united in the process.

VP Acosta sent the Trustees yet another letter today, asking for a
status update from the H&W Trustees. In addition, several options
are being considered that may allow for our bandleader members
to have H&W and Pension contributions made as under the SELA
agreement.

On March 7, 2010, VP Acosta called on the H&W Trustees to restore
our SELA immediately, and stop punishing the innocent for the sake
of a few guilty parties.

Several of you sent in your impressions of that letter. They are below.

Fraternally,
Lisa Haley
President
FMA-L,A.

——————————————-

John Acosta has my support. As Vice President, I think he walks a fine
line and I think he is doing a great job. It’s about time some one from
Local 47 speaks up.

Tom Tally

——————————————-

I wish we could get credit for private teaching like they used to have
for our H/W and pension contributions at the Union.

——————————————-

I think we all know that VP Acosta is a sincere officer who has the
membership’s best interest at heart. It is in that regard we must
be realistic: the re-instatement of SELA is a matter of numbers.
And those numbers are not on the side of the contract reappearing.
If the amount of Local 47 members affected were in the thousands,
even hundreds, there would be clear motivation for re-instatement.

But the net number of people who have a stake in re-instatement
(this by John and my estimation) are well below one hundred.
Couple that with the case-by-case approval of the LS-1 (which,
by way, works best for my group) and I would be extremely
surprised that SELA would re-emerge.

John is to be lauded as to his letter to the H&W Trustees. It puts
him on record as to his position, and that is important. Whether it
will have any effect remains to be seen in the face of present realities.

——————————————-

Make them (Local #47) do their job which our work dues pay for.
Now that we can’t file because of no SELAs, they’re not having
work dues come in They have to get SELA back for those who
are unincorporated - they are failing to make relationships

——————————————-

It is nice to see a Local 47 officer going out of his way and on
the record to try to improve the situation for free-lance musicians.

Thank you, John.

Charles Fernandez

——————————————-

Hi John,

I wanted to take a minute and acknowledge you for stepping
up on behalf of the membership with the letter you sent to
the H&W trustees. It is deeply appreciated.

In my mind, of all the officers at 47, you’ve been consistent
in your service to the membership. I thank you.

Let us now hope that the trustees will do the right thing and
help to keep our membership insured.

Best regards,
Lennie Moore

=============================================

III. FMA-L.A. Notice re: Pension information.

We just received this notice below from Local #47.
All Members should have recently received in the mail a 21-page
“explanation” of Pension modifications that will take effect on
June 1, 2010.

Apparently, as of June 1, 2010:
- Our Pension fund contributions will increase from 10% to 10.4%
- This means if scale wages were $100, previously Pension EPF
contribution was $10.
- Under this new ruling, for the same scale, Pension EPF contribution
will be $10.40 - for no additional return at retirement.
- This plus our “multiplier” for Pension payout at retirement has just
decreased January 1, 2010 to $1.
- In effect, this means that not only have returns on our Pension
contributions greatly decreased, but
- As of June 1, all Employers are expected to help to bail out the
Pension fund to the tune of a .04% increase.
- Also, apparently if Employers choose not to increase Pension
contribution to 10.4%, they will be charged a mandatory 5% to
10% surcharge penalty - which you will never get back.

Please attend this Tuesday, May 25 meeting, 6PM - and demand
to receive an explanation in “simple English” of what our Pension
fund will look like in the immediate future.

Fraternally,
Lisa Haley
President,
FMA-L.A.

+++++++++++++++

This is the note to which Lisa Haley is referring:

Dear Local 47 Members:

With all the recent changes taking place regarding the AFM
Employer Pension Fund, we understand that our members
may have questions that they’d like addressed. Therefore,
in our ongoing attempt to keep you as informed as possible
about this issue, Local 47 will be hosting a meeting with
Pension Fund Representatives Anne Mayerson, Esq. and Will
Luebking, Director of Finance on Tuesday, May 25th at 6:00
p.m. in the Local 47 Auditorium.

Please note that due to the volume of questions expected,
the meeting is confined to no more than 2.5 hours, and
questions shall be limited to approximately 3 minutes each.
Please come join us on the evening of the 25th so that
we can make every attempt to address your concerns.

=============================================

IV. COMMENTS

The comments below and elsewhere in this mailing represent the
typically uncensored views of the readers and not necessarily those
of the COMMITTEE. In the faith that freedom of expression allows
for the birth and ascendancy of the most beneficial ideas, all sentiments
expressed are welcome, subject to the bounds of good taste and
decorum. If you disagree with an opinion expressed by any contributor,
we encourage you to rebut it here.

———————————–

The RMA:

They’re for Union strangulation and Control.
As long as they’re getting fed and sucking at the teet of
commercial music - They’re fine.

———————————–

Hello!

RE: Forensic Consultant to look into computer breach at Local 47.

Well, I certainly hope that the “computer consultants” the local
has hired this time don’t take the five years it took to get the
referral service up and running! What do you bet that this
“investigation” will still be going on through the National Convention
just to see the dust kicked up? Why did Local 47’s message to the
membership via email tell us that they are going to (next week)
make a police report? How about they wait and tell us they made
a police report?

———————————–

Any bets this “investigation” wouldn’t be happening if the AFM Convention
weren’t next month? Any bets this “investigation” wouldn’t be
happening if our board wasn’t owned by the RMA and Alying et al’s
need to keep the Local in turmoil till the convention? What a joke
Local 47 has become. I’m embarrassed for our Local’s decent employees.

========================

V. CONCERTS AND EVENTS

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5/12/10

Canoga Park Bowl and the San Fernando Valley
Symphony Orchestra present

CONCERTS AT THE BOWL
Wednesday Evenings at 8:30pm
In the Royal Room

May 12th
THE SYMPHOMANIAX

Ruth Bruegger, violin
James Domine, guitar
Glen Grab, cello
Larry Muradian, bass

===========================

May 19th
The Screaming Clams
Open Pandora’s Box
Jimi Dee, lead guitar
Joel Domine, keyboards
Steve Hartman, drums
Larry Muradian, bass

===========================

May 26th
The Blues Bandits
David Reo, guitar
Jimi Dee, guitar;
Gary Herbig, saxaphone
Scott Firestone, drums
Larry Muradian, bass and Friends

Admission Free
20122 Vanowen Street, Winnetka, CA
Persons under 21 years of age not admitted.

—————————-

5/16/10

Joel Penner Sextet

Sunday May 16th
Joel Penner Sextet
Beverly Hills Art Affaire
Beverly Gardens Park (Santa Monica Blvd. and Beverly Dr.)
Beverly Hills CA 90210
Joel Penner: Trumpet
Cengiz Yaltkaya: Piano
Mike Flick: Bass
Doug MacDonald: Guitar
Dean Roubicek: Woodwinds
Jack LeCompte: Drums
4:00 pm - 6:00pm
For information: call 310-550-4654

++++++++++++++++++++++++

More Joel Penner Concerts:

Saturday May 29th
Joel Penner Trio
Ginseng And Jazz
Joel Penner: Trumpet
Cengiz Yaltkaya: Piano
Mike Flick: Bass
For information: call 818-632-4435 or reply to this email

Joel Penner
818-632-4435
joel@joelpenner.com
www.joelpenner.com

———————————

5/16/10

DANNY HOLT & STEVEN VANHAUWAERT:
EXTREME AND SACRED PIANO
Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring

Debussy sonata & preludes
Lieberman
Garson
Radiohead/O’Riley
WHEN: Sunday, May 16, 2010 1:00 PM
WHERE: THE ATELIER/TANYA RAGIR STUDIOS
MAR VISTA, CA 90066
Find out more:
http://www.artandmusicsupportnetwork.org/Art_and_Music_Support_Network/Art_and_Music_Support_Network_2.html

———————————

5/16/10

Event: French Chamber Music Concert at SBMA
Start Time: Sunday, May 16 at 1:00pm
End Time: Sunday, May 16 at 2:00pm
Where: Santa Barbara Museum of Art

An intimate performance in the Museum’s
Ludington Court.
No formal seating, limited number of portable stools.

“DELACROIX to MONET”
Sunday MAY 16, 2010 from 1 to 2 pm
Free with Museum admission

Kathy Marsh, Adriana Zoppo & Jacqueline Suzuki,
musicians from the Santa Barbara Symphony will play:

PROGRAM for MAY 16:
French Solos for Flute & Duos for 2 Violins

JEAN-MARIE LECLAIR (1697-1764)
Sonata for 2 violins Op.3 No.4 in F major

CHARLES DEBERIOT (1802-1870)
Duo Concertant for 2 violins Op.57 No.2 in e minor (1847)
II.Andante

CLAUDE DEBUSSY (1862-1918)
Syrinx for solo flute (1913)

ARTHUR HONEGGER (1892-1955)
Sonatine for 2 violins in G major (1920)
Danse de la Chevre for solo flute (1921)

DARIUS MILHAUD (1892-1974)
Sonatine for 2 violins Op.221 (1940)

JACQUES IBERT (1890-1962)
Piece for solo flute (1936)

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5/16/10

LISA HALEY AND THE ZYDECATS

SUN 5/16/10 UNIVERSAL CITY, CA - STREETFEST - 6PM
THIS IS A FREE EVENT! COME AND DANCE!
Main Stage, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City 91608
http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

OTHER UPCOMING ZYDECAT CONCERTS:

SAT 5/22/10: DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA - DOHENY BLUES FEST - 12PM
Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
Main Stage with CS&N, Taj Mahal, Fabulous Thunderbirds,
Black Crowes, Booker T
http://www.omegaevents.com/dohenyblues/

SAT 5/29/10 & SUN 5/30/10 SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA -
SIMI VALLEY CAJUN/CREOLE FESTIVAL
WE PERFORM SAT 2:40-4PM; SUN 4:25-5:45PM
21st ANNUAL! Festival Grounds - corner of Sterns & Los Angeles Streets
with Cedric Watson, Pine Leaf Boys, Rosie Ledet, Candy Kayne & more!
http://simicajun.org/

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5/19/10

MAY 19th ASMAC LUNCHEON FEATURES MULTI EMMY WINNING COMPOSER RON JONES

On May 19th at CATALINA’S JAZZ CLUB, ASMAC (American Society of
Music Arrangers and Composers) will feature Emmy winning composer Ron Jones.

Where: Catalina’s Jazz Club
When: Wednesday May 19th, 11:30 AM
What: ASMAC Luncheon featuring Ron Jones

Ron Jones has had an amazingly diverse career. Most of his creative work has
involved scoring music for TV and Film projects, produced by both major
Hollywood studios and independent productions companies. He has writing
for an amazing array of series including: Hundreds of episodes of Hanna-
Barbera’s popular animated series such as Smurfs, Scooby-Doo, The Snorks
and many more.

With Mike Post and Pete Carpenter he wrote for The A-Team, Magnum P.I.,
Hardcastle and McCormick, Riptide, Hunter and more. For Disney he wrote for
the Duck Tales series, then on to Paramount for Star Trek: The Next Generation.
He also began scoring video games at this time with scores for both StarFleet
Academy and StarFleet Command, being the first games to use a full studio orchestra.
StarFleet Academy won the best score award from the Academy of Interactive Arts
and Sciences.

Later came the theme for Fairly Oddparents and then on to score the Family
Guy and American Dad series, which has pushed him to compose in virtually
every style.

Currently, Ron has expanded his musical exploration by forming the
“INFLUENCE JAZZ ORCHESTRA.” The group is made up of the most elite
session and jazz players in Los Angeles. This ensemble was formed
out of a desire to share with live audiences the incredible and
amazing studio musicians Ron calls to record his TV scores. “INFLUENCE”
has performed at many of the top Jazz Clubs and concert venues to
sold out audiences. The band performs new works by Ron, as well as
the best charts written for Jazz Ensemble. Many performances feature
Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy, singing his favorite classic Sinatra
songs as arrangements by Nelson Riddle, Billy May and more.

Ron’s Influence Jazz Orchestra also expands to a 60 piece symphony
which performs an ecclectic mix of film scores, broadway charts and
everything in between.

“I founded and lead the rebel underground Ravel Orchestral Study Group
that meets at Vitello’s. We study in depth the orchestral works and
creative process of Ravel. We typically have about 75 composers and
arrangers at each study.”

Ron is very interested in teaching and sharing his professional insights
with the new generation of composers.

Please join us for a lively and informative luncheon, as we learn
about one of the most prolific composers working today.

CATALINA BAR AND GRILL
6725 West Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028
(1 BLOCK E OF HIGHLAND - north side of street - cor of McCadden)

Cost: ASMAC Members & Students $30 - Guests and all walk-ins $35
Parking: Valet $3.00 - Enter on McCadden - west side of Catalina’s - lot at back

Please make reservations by Tuesday morning, Mar. 24th @ 818/994-4661
OR by email to asmac@theproperimageevents.com

Check out our website for upcoming events — www.asmac.org

———————————

5/19/10

FREE ADMISSION GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS

RELAX DURING YOUR LUNCH HOUR WITH LIVE MUSIC
Light lunch created by ANGELA’S BISTRO available for $6.
LOCATION: The Chapel at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GLENDALE
209 N. Louise St. (at Wilson)
Glendale CA 91206
818 242 2113

Every FIRST & THIRD Wednesday at 12:10- 12:40 pm
On Wednesday APRIL 7, 2010 at 12:10-12:40 pm

Works for violoncello & piano
Simone Vitucci - violoncello
Susan Svrcek - piano

LOCATION: The Chapel at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF
GLENDALE

209 N. Louise St. (at Wilson)
Glendale CA 91206
818 242 2113

Map & venue info http://www.fbcglendale.net
More info email teena.frazier@fbcglendale.net

*****************************************

UPCOMING CONCERTS in the same series:
(every FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAY at 12:10-12:40 pm)

JUNE 2, 2010
ANGELES CONSORT

Music of the late 16th to 18th century
Jason Yoshida - lute
Suzanna Giordano Gignac - Baroque violin & viola
Janet Worsley Strauss - Baroque violin
Leif Woodward - Baroque cello

CONCERT UPDATES:
http://www.glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot.com

Map & venue info http://www.fbcglendale.net
More info email teena.frazier@fbcglendale.net
(every FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAY at 12:10-12:40 pm

—————————-

5/22/10

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SYMPHONY
James Domine, Conductor
Saturday, May 22nd at 8PM
in the Pierce College Performing Arts Theater
Featured Soloists:
JENNIFER BLIMAN, Horn
CAROLYN OSBORNE, VIOLIN
PROGRAM TO INCLUDE:
-WEINIAWSKI: VIOLIN CONCERTO #2
CAROLYN OSBORNE, SOLOIST
-The Premiere of the orchestral version of
Charles Fernandez’ Scherzo for Horn and Orchestra
JENNIFER BLIMAN, SOLOIST
and
-Stravinsky’s FIREBIRD

Saturday, May 22nd, 8pm in the auditorium of the
Pierce College PAB

For Season Tickets and Concert Information,
Call (818) 347-4807
—————————-

5/22/10 - 8am-7pm

“”PRUSSIAN BLUES” Jacaranda Season Finale”
Saturday, May 22 at 8:00am.

PART OF LA OPERA’S RING FESTIVAL LA

Event: “PRUSSIAN BLUES” Jacaranda Season Finale
Start Time: Saturday, May 22 at 8:00am
End Time: Saturday, May 22 at 7:00pm
Where: First Pres of Santa Monica

PAUL HINDEMITH - Septet for winds (1948)
FRANZ SCHUBERT- Longing (1827); Night Song in the Forest (1827)
The Gondolier (1825); Bright Night (1827); Song of the Spirits over the Waters (1828)
RICHARD WAGNER - Siegfried Idyll (1870)
GUSTAV MAHLER/H. Stadlmair - Adagio from Symphony No. 10 (1911)

—————————-

5/22-23/10

SCOTT SMALLEY 2010 ORCHESTRATION COURSE

SCOTT SMALLEY 2010 ADVANCED ORCHESTRATION COURSE
May 22-23, 2010 - Renaissance LAX Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
LOS ANGELES: May 22-23, 2010 Registration Link:
https://www.submitmx.com/crm/register.php?cid=32

If you’re a composer who writes for live orchestra, you need to know
what Scott Smalley has taught over 2,300 film and television composers
from across the world.

This consistently sold-out course is a 2-day, in-depth look at the
exact techniques and approaches that top composers use to get
the biggest, best sound from live orchestras for film scoring recording.

Through the intense, detailed study of the music of Jerry Goldsmith
and others, top Hollywood film music orchestrator Scott Smalley
(”Batman,” “Mission: Impossible,” “The Insider”) demonstrates why
some Hollywood scores sound so good, and what you as a composer
can do to make your scores sound bigger and better.

You’ll receive 370 pages of scores and sketches that are used as examples
for detailed analysis throughout the course. With emphasis on the craft of
balancing the orchestra through voicing techniques, the course provides
specific, detailed information about how to achieve the most dramatic
effects in each of the orchestral families.

Another aspect of this course is the importance that samplers and
Computer technology have in today’s environment, including specific
techniques that can be used to achieve the most accurate depictions
of real orchestra.

***Course price includes all materials, including a SPECIAL PACKAGE for all
course attendees: 2 audio CDs and two 11″ x 17″ books including 370+
pages total of scores from the feature films discussed in the course.***

==> NEW NETWORKING MIXER EVENT ADDED TO THE COURSE
GET YOUR MUSIC AND ORCHESTRATIONS CRITIQUED BY SCOTT SMALLEY <==

Course fee: $369 including audio CDs and 370+ pages of scores
LOS ANGELES: May 22-23, 2010 Registration Link:
https://www.submitmx.com/crm/register.php?cid=32

——————————–

5/23/10

THE LOS ANGELES PIERCE SYMPHONIC WINDS

Presents

“An Illustrated Sonic Journey Through Wagner’s Ring”

Including classic illustrations by Arthur Rackham, Gil Kane and
P. Craig Russell.

Pre-concert presentation at 12PM and 3PM by Neal Brostoff, formerly
of American Jewish University, current Pierce COllege faculty member
“Richard Wagner: Human blemishes, flawed legacy.”

Premiered at these performances will be reorchestrations of
Ring scenes by Charles Fernandez and Ron Hess, including
Hess’ adaptation of the epic “Immolation Scene and Finale”
from “Gotterdammerung,” the fourth and final opera of the cycle.

Concerts Begin at 1PM and 4PM
Performing Arts Building, Pierce College

General Adminssion $25
Faculty Student and Seniors $15
“Encore” class members admitted free
Seating is limited

——————————–

5/23/10

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM ROSS WRIGHT: WEST COAST COMPOSER’S FORUM

Hi all,

I’m proud to announce the fifth installment of the:
WEST COAST COMPOSER’S FORUM.

What is the West Coast Composer’s Forum? Every
year a group of composers agree on an ensemble
and then we all write and new work specifically for it,
then we put on a concert of world premieres.

It’s always very fun and interesting to see the variety
of music that is written for the same group during
the same period of time. Each composer has their own
unique style, and the contrast between the pieces is
often really dramatic.

This year the Composers are:
Severin Behnen, Rick Crittenden, Charles Fernandez,
Robert Kyle, Kim Richmond, Lou Rovner, Joe Sorce,
Cliff Tasner, & Ross Wright (AKA Elvis Schoenberg)

This year’s ensemble is a choir of Six Saxophones and harp.

Performing are:
Sopranino Saxophone: Kelley Hark Jenkins
Soprano Saxophone: Billy Kerr
Alto Saxophone: Kim Richmond
Tenor Saxophone: Robert Kyle
Baritone Saxophone: Terry Landrey
Bass Saxophone: Jay Mason
Harp: Alison Bjorkendal

What: The 2010 West Coast Composer’s Forum.
When: Sunday May 23rd 3:30 PM
Where: Firefly Bistro:
Firefly Bistro
1009 El Centro Street
South Pasadena, CA 91030-3117
(626) 441-2443
www.eatatfirefly.com

The Firefly has amazing food and will be open after the concert.
So we hope you will stay and hang out and eat afterwards.

———————————-

6/1/10

SOCIETY OF SINGERS
presents

The 19th ELLA Award - NATALIE COLE
The Legend Award - Doris Day
The Voice Award - Billie Barnum

TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010
Beverly Hills, CA

Artists Performing
Patti Austin, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Macy Gray,
James Ingram, Gladys Knight, Dave Koz & Nikki Yanofsky

Call for RAFFLE tickets
Tickets $20 each or 6 for $100
(Winner need not be present to win)

2 night stay at the Beverly Hilton Hotel & dinner at Trader Vic’s
Dinners/lunches at Il Piccolino, Pane e Vino & other fine restaurants
Dinners/lunches at Joss, Craft & other fine restaurants
Watch from Feldmar & Co
Handmade one of a kind necklace includes faceted ametrine, rose
amethyst & citrine stones on 14k gold-filled chain. By Terri Rocks
Diplomat Pen (series ‘Excellence’) from Flax Pen to Paper
Basket of Vodkas
Gift basket from Wally’s Wine
Lady Di’s basket of handmade cookies, brownies & cupcakes
Ride-Along with the LAPD!

Purchase tickets & ads with the attached order form
or
Purchase tickets online now:
http://tiny.cc/shopsos

***

Society of Singers
15456 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 304
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
818.995.7100 - 818.995.7466 fax
http://www.singers.org - sos@singers.org

Celebrating 26 years of Helping Singers Worldwide!
SOS is recognized as a charitable organization by tax code 501(c)(3).
All gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Tax ID#:95-3903182

===========================

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47
Visit us at www.responsible47.com

Posted in Committee Newsletters | No Comments »

DELEGATES / CONVENTION / ASMAC LUNCH / SMALLEY COURSE / COMMENTS / EVENTS

May 7th, 2010 The Committee

I. INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTED DELEGATES
II. CONVENTION CAMPAIGN CONDUCT
III. EMAILING OF CAMPAIGN LITERATURE
IV. MAY 19th ASMAC LUNCHEON FEATURES MULTI EMMY WINNING COMPOSER RON JONES
V. SCOTT SMALLEY 2010 ORCHESTRATION COURSE
VI. COMMENTS
VII. EVENTS

===========================

I. INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTED DELEGATES

From the National AFM

Directed Delegates - Some local union delegates consider
themselves to be “directed delegates,” i.e. delegates who
are under instructions from their local unions on how to
vote for candidates for Federation office or on Resolutions
and Recommendations.

Federal labor law does not prohibit directed delegates, so
long as two conditions are met.

1)The union’s governing documents must explicitly authorize
directed delegates, or contain nothing that prohibits directed
delegates.

2)he direction must have been given by the local union
membership (as distinguished from the local union executive
board) at a duly-called membership meeting for which advance
notice was given that advised the membership that a subject
of the meeting was to be the direction of delegates on convention
matters.

The Federation Bylaws are silent about directed delegates
(and therefore, it is not a violation of Federation Bylaws to direct a
delegate, or for a directed delegate to follow or ignore the direction).
As set out above, whether the direction of a Local’s delegates is lawful
as a matter of Federal labor law depends on two things - whether the
Local’s bylaws authorize (or do not prohibit) the direction, and whether
the direction is given by the membership (not the Local executive board),
voting at a duly-called meeting after advance notice to the members
that the direction of delegates would be a subject of the meeting.

———————–

Colleagues: As we have informed you, and as you can see for
yourself in our April Overture, the results at the April 26, 2010
would not have been possible without:

1) The convenient misplacing of the binding information
2) The willful disregard of our Local’s bylaws by the President
Trombetta in basically turning the intention of the notice
bylaw on it’s head.

It is our opinion that Federal Labor Laws were broken by this conduct.

Should the vote be close at the convention, we fully expect complaints
to be filed because of the conduct of Local 47 in this matter.

=============================================

II. CONVENTION CAMPAIGN CONDUCT

Conferences and Candidates - Conferences (player or geographic
conferences) typically meet at the AFM Convention to conduct their
conference business. These meetings invariably involve the expenditure
of union funds or the use of union facilities. The following are the
groundrules regarding Conferences, candidates and campaign activities.

1. Conferences may not use Conference funds to campaign for any
candidate. Thus, for example, the Conferences may not use Conference
funds to print or distribute campaign literature on behalf of any candidate.

2. Conference newsletters may not include any editorial or article that
could reasonably construed as a “puff piece” endorsing a particular
candidate or supporting that candidate’s candidacy. Of course, news
stories or photographs that accurately report any newsworthy event,
and, in so doing, mention an individual candidate’s accomplishments,
are not illegal. This is true even though the article may have the effect
of improving that candidate’s image as a union leader.

3. Official union meetings before and during the Convention - including
Conference meetings - may not serve as forums for campaigning.
Campaign speeches may not be given and campaign literature may
not be distributed.

4. However, Conferences may allow campaigning in their Hospitality Suites,
including the wearing of pins and distribution of campaign literature, even
though union funds are used to pay for the Hospitality Suite, provided that
each of the announced candidates is notified in advance that the candidate
or his/her supporters will be given the same opportunity to attend the
Hospitality Suite and engage in such campaign activity. The rule here is that
campaign activity in the Hospitality Suites is lawful only if the opportunity
is made available to all candidates on a nondiscriminatory basis.

=============================================

III. EMAILING OF CAMPAIGN LITERATURE

Federal labor law prohibits the use of union or employer resources in support
of any candidate for Federation office. We have advised all candidates not to
use union or employer resources (such as telephones, copy machines, fax
machines or computers) for campaign purposes.

We have been asked whether it is prohibited to send campaign literature by
e-mail from a privately-owned e-mail address and computer, to a computer
or e-mail address that is owned by the Federation, a Local, a conference or an
employer. The short answer is “no.” However, it is a violation for the recipient
to then forward the campaign literature, because he or she is doing so using
union or employer facilities or resources. Therefore, it is the better practice
not to send campaign e-mail to union or employer e-mail addresses.

While it is impossible to insure absolutely that no recipient will forward campaign
e-mail from a union or employer address, we suggest that you add the following
message to the bottom of any campaign e-mail that you send to attempt to
limit the possibility that it is forwarded to someone from a union or employer
computer or e-mail account:

“If you are receiving this e-mail on a union or employer e-mail account,
please do not forward it to anyone from that account.”

=============================================

IV. MAY 19th ASMAC LUNCHEON FEATURES MULTI EMMY WINNING COMPOSER RON JONES