I. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
II. SECRETARY LASHINSKY RESPONDS
III. COMMENT FROM COMPOSER LENNIE MOORE
IV. LAWSUITS?
V. COMMENTS
VI. EVENTS

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

I. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

All of us at the COMMITTEE want to wish you and yours a
wonderful, safe holiday and a prosperous, equitable 2010!

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

II. SECRETARY LASHINSKY RESPONDS

When we contacted Secretary Lashinsky about her thoughts
on the LA Opera members comments we gave her a deadline of
Thursday at 5pm for her response. Though she did send her
response at 4:53 PM on Thursday, as of 11:50 PM that evening it
had not arrived. It arrived sometime Friday morning. We thank
the Secretary for responding in a timely manner.

To “The Committee”:

These comments and accusations regarding my alleged involvement
in Los Angeles Opera matters are completely false and, as usual,
reflect your willingness to publish and promote the unfortunate
conclusions that come from anxious and ill-informed musicians
competing for employment in hard times. I have contacted the
Orchestra Committee of the Los Angeles Opera (I served on that
committee for years in the 1980s and ’90s. In fact, I was on the
negotiating committee that succeeded in gaining tenure for LA
opera musicians) to address this misinformation.

I have always been philosophical about the ups and downs in my
career. I roll with the punches as does every working musician. Yet
I remain steadfastly committed to music, the music business, my
colleagues and Union service to all members. Let me share with
COMM RESP 47 readers that contrary to what you might read in this
email forum, when I do show up on a job (and that’s once in a blue
moon), I’m greeted warmly by colleagues, offered words of thanks
for my Union service and commiseration for being subjected to the
abject trash conveyed by this blog and the person(s) responsible for
it.

In Solidarity and with deep respect for all musicians,

Leslie Lashinsky

Secretary/Treasurer
Professional Musicians, Local 47
Los Angeles

—————————-

THE SECRETARY THEN SENT THIS….

Once again, to “The Committee”:

As much as I detest the notion of taking direction from you, I did respond
to your email titled “Subject: Please respond by Thursday 5PM if you wish to
comment.”

My timely response (which I expect you to publish along with this one) was
emailed to you at 4:53pm yesterday, Thursday, December 17, 2009. Your
subsequent Comm Resp 47 email blast (later last night 12/17/09 at 11:52 PM)
said I “did not respond.” It further contained lots more inaccurate and
defamatory statements, revealing your lack of knowledge regarding our
contracts and the history of ballet orchestra employment in Los Angeles. I
contacted the LA Opera Orchestra Committee and have already begun
discussions they or any other musicians desire on related issues, in the
appropriate manner, not through your blog.

Leslie Lashinsky

Secretary/Treasurer
Professional Musicians, Local 47

[Secretary Lashinsky: As we said above, your email was sent at 5:43
Thursday but did not arrive in out mailbox until Friday morning.
We thank you for answering in a timely manner and regret that
either your server (or ours) held up the email.

Secretary Lashinsky, if you do not want to be criticized in these pages
for taking work from rank and file Local 47 bassoonists while making
a generous salary off the dues of those same members, simply don't
work in the jurisdiction as long as you are the secretary. That IS what
the bylaws say, unless the board gives you a pass, which they inexplicably
have on numerous occassions.

If the board doesn't want to be criticized for allowing the abuse of
your office by allowing the Secretary to take these jobs, they should
consistently refuse any such requests.

Allow the abuse, expect the criticism. It's as simple as that. No abuse,
no criticism from us on that front.

Please be specific as to the inaccurate and defamatory statements. Tell us
exactly what was incorrect in what we said. What was defamatory, what was
a falsehood. Be specific.

We gave a quite complete answer to the commenters, having
researched the contract, and even giving a possible legitimate job-related
excuse for you having a role in the situation. We could have simply printed
the comments without comment, or not given you a heads up and chance
to respond before-hand, but we chose to help the commenters understand
the situation more fully and potentially giving you an "out".

So then, Secretary Lashinsky, who is interfering with the LA Opera's
schedule? We pay your salary, so who is doing it? VP Acosta
doesn't seem to want to tell the membership either.]

THE COMMITTEE

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

III. COMMENT FROM COMPOSER LENNIE MOORE

As mentioned in a previous Comm Resp 47 notice (with New York,
Nashville, and Los Angeles locals currently under RMA control),
I sense an organized plan to get Tom Lee out of office at the next
convention (this summer!). And if a new RMA approved administration
and IEB change in such a way as to eradicate promulgated agreements
such as the video game agreement (or any work done so far regarding
new markets), then the progress in finding new ways to get AFM musicians
working will be lost.

Sadly, the RMA has not been helpful to recording musicians. They’ve spent
a lot of time and money attempting to discredit the AFM and Mr. Lee publicly
and, with regard to the lawsuits filed against the AFM by Fareplay, they were
all dismissed in their entirety with prejudice. I believe they’ve equally
misrepresented the facts regarding video game work. According to my
information, Skywalker Ranch sees around 20 sessions a year because of the
videogame agreement and big publishers with big titles like Gears of War 2
(Microsoft), Prototype (Activision), Dead Space (EA), God of War 3 (Sony),
and the Star Wars franchise (LucasArts) are recording them with union
orchestras.

Any one individual such as a union president (or congressman if you want
to extend the idea outwards) is not perfect. They have their pros and cons.
IMO Mr. Lee and his administration have been consistent in looking for ways
to create opportunities for AFM musicians. Our job as AFM members is to
keep a watchful eye on all our leaders and let them know what we want from
them…often!

Don’t believe the hyperbole. Find out the facts.

Now is a critical time, especially in the video game world, where establishing a
foothold with game publishers who are currently using union musicians can
lead us towards our first collective bargaining agreement in that industry.
This has been a personal dream of mine for the last five years and one I’ve
advocated publicly at game industry events and with anyone interested in
the subject.

I suggest spreading the word to as many convention delegates as possible to
keep the current administration and IEB in place. Talk to your friends in every
local you know. Have them talk to their local delegates about this issue. We
can survive three more years in order to see where this all goes.

Keep Tom Lee and the current IEB in office. Let’s continue to develop more
work for our members.

Fraternally yours,

Lennie Moore
Composer

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

IV. LAWSUITS?

For months, even years, we’ve heard rumors that there are those
that would dearly love to sue the COMMITTEE into non-existance
or to try to bankrupt those who dare to reveal the dirty laundry of
those at the union or those who have undue influence over it. We
have tried to always include verification for what we say, ask you
to look it up yourself, and where to go to find the info. You also
know that when we are incorrect we will correct the record.

From time to time we are accused of lying, we demand specifics,
and no specifics are ever forth coming. It’s a pattern we’ve become
used to, whether it be from those in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles
or in any other musician group whose actions we feel are to the
detriment of the AFM as a whole.

For a most recent instance, the Secretary says we print falsehoods.
Since most of what we report on Secretary Lashinsky concerns her
taking jobs in the jurisdiction, we ask “What falsehoods?” We get our
proof for the jobs she takes from the notes of the Local 47 board
meetings, notes she herself writes. We also hear from those on the
jobs with her.

Frivolous lawsuits are filed every day, often by those who simply want
to shut others down. There are several members of the committee,
and it is growing every month. That is why you will never see a
particular name associated with this blog, to protect them from any
such bogus lawsuits. (Fairplay - AFM, anyone?) It is only the anonymity
of this blog that has protected its members and those who post on it
from retribution.

Further, no one has ever been able to cite a single example of willful
misrepresentation, nor will they ever be able to. Such is our promise to
you, our fellow AFM members.

As an aside, those most ready to criticize have no idea how much
material we’ve chosen not to print about them because it was pointlessly
ugly, inappropriate or profane. It is a sizable amount.

We thank you for your continued support!

THE COMMITTEE

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

V. 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.

————————–

Thanks for the article on Torrie Zito. I was on Woody Herman’s
band with his brother Ronnie. I had begun to do some writing for
Woody and once when we were in New York City for a few days
off Ronnie asked me if I would like to have lunch with Torrie.

Of course I did. It lasted about 3 hours and I got the arranging
lesson of my life! He also gave me advice on other aspects of the
music business etc.

This took place in the early ’60’s and I’ve never ever forgotten it.
I’m very sorry that he has passed!

Don Rader

———————-

CONCERNING THE LA OPERA SITUATION

Thank you for sending this - had fun tonight at the perf trying to
figure out who it was.

No dice.

The call still didn’t go out - hope the board meeting
on Tuesday was exciting….
Thank you again!

——-

good goin - keep at it

————————–

While occasionally there are things in your forum that verge
on huh?, for the most part it’s great in calling things what
they are. Please keep it up.

————————–

To Rick Blanc,

The didactic David Finck here. I am glad that I was able to explain to you
how the music business works. I hope you found use for the information that
I offered. Regarding the 802 Elections; I think I have pretty good handle
on how things happened here in NY as I played an integral role in many of
the well-attended meetings that preceded the election and did a fair amount
of campaigning. If you have any specific questions about what transpired here
in New York, I would be glad to educate you.

David Finck

———————————-

MESSAGE FROM BILLY MITCHELL

Dear friends,

Does anyone have a drum kit that they would
like to donate?

MITCH

Please contact Mr. Mitchell at 714-528-1534

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

VI. CONCERTS AND EVENTS

————————————

“Lisa Haley upcoming shows,”

12/24/09

50th Annual MUSIC CENTER HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
- THURS 12/24/09: LOS ANGELES, CA - DORTHY CHANDLER PAVILION
PLUS LIVE BROADCAST! ON KCET, KOCE, KLCS, KVCR-TV
Show is 3-9PM - Lisa Haley & the Zydekats performance time TBA
http://www.holidaycelebration.org

————————————

12/29/09

Ron Jones “Influence Jazz Orchestra” is playing at Spazio in
Sherman Oaks, Tuesday Dec. 29th from 8-11 PM.

There is no cover so you can save some bucks and still hear
a wild, cool and explosive ensemble. I thought you might
enjoy that. Reservations call 818-728-8400.
Spazio 14755 Ventura Blvd , Sherman Oaks CA 91403.

May 2010 be full of promise and opportunity to express your
creativity.

Sincerely,

Ron Jones

————————————

12/31/09

ANAHEIM, CA - DISNEYLAND NEW YEARS CELEBRATION! - 8PM
WE COUNT THE PARK DOWN TO MIDNIGHT ON THE RIVER OF THE
AMERICAS!
http://www.disneyland.com/

————————————

12/28/09

ORCHESTRE SURREAL at TYPHOON!

Celebrate New Years Eve Early!!
MONDAY DECEMBER 28th, 2009
Elvis Schoenberg’s Orchestre Surreal
Two sets: 8 PM & 9:30 PM

At Typhoon
L.A.’s Premier Pan-Asian Restaurant
3221 Donald Douglas Loop South
Santa Monica, CA
It’s Typhoon’s last night of music for the year!
and It’s the Fabulous Miss Thing’s Birthday Bash!

NO COVER CHARGE, NO MINIMUM FULL BAR!

For more information call: (310) 390-6565
For easy directions and map click: www.typhoon.biz
Come experience the virtuosity of the Orchestre Surreal, complete
with the Fabulous Miss Thing, Daunting Diva Lynn, Dangerous Dan
O’Callaghan and other surprise guests, while dining at the only
place in town that has a fine selection of amphibians and insects
on their menu.

So if listening to deconstructed pop songs done in an modern
orchestral style performed by 25 crazy musicians and amazing
singers in wild costumes isn’t enough to get you out of the
house on a Monday night. Then come and order a Juicy frog
and a basket of fried crickets. Then you can chase it with some
of The Fabulous Miss Thing’s Birthday Cake.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

———————————-

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

JANUARY 6, 2010
VERKLARTE NACHT/Transfigured Night by ARNOLD SCHOENBERG
for String Sextet
KEWA ENSEMBLE & Friends
Nancy Roth - violin
Jacqueline Suzuki - violin
Lynn Grants - viola
Adriana Zoppo - viola
Maurice Grants - violoncello
Mary Anne Steinberger - violoncello

JANUARY 20, 2010
BEETHOVEN Sonata No. 10 in G Major Op. 96
Jacqueline Suzuki - violin
Rosa LoGiudice - piano

Glendale Noon Concerts
First Baptist Church of Glendale
209 N. Louise St. (at Wilson)
Glendale Ca 91206
818 242 2113
http://www.glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot.com

Thanks!

———————————-

1/16/09

Los Angeles Pierce College Department of Music Presents

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

James Domine, Music Director

Saturday evening Jan. 16, 2010 at 7:30 pm

Pierce College Performing Arts Theater

Mozart
Symphony #1 in Eb major

Haydn
Symphony #9 in D major

Handel
Water Music Suite

Domine
Amsuite Serenade

This special concert is a fundraiser to benefit
San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra

General Admission: $25
Students and Seniors: $20
Children under 12 years: $15

For concert information call (818) 347-4807
www.sfvsymphony.com

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

UNTIL NEXT TIME,

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

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm and is filed under Committee Newsletters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.