8\/17\/17<\/p>\n
I. MEMBER COMMENTARY
\nII. AFM VS CANADIAN AFM PENSIONS
\nIII. BMI FILING
\nIV. EVENTS<\/p>\n
…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer<\/p>\n
…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’\u2028scoring musician
\n…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician<\/p>\n
…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician<\/p>\n
===========================================<\/p>\n
I. MEMBER COMMENTARY<\/p>\n
Have you seen this?<\/p>\n
The good old boys get together to promote what local 47
\nTOOK OVER AFTER an RMA Leader’s FAILED ATTEMPTS
\nYEARS AGO.<\/p>\n
Now a certain leader of the RMA entering the picture again.
\nHe is such a hypocrite in his comments as follows:<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can get the state to invest in those projects, we can be
\ncompetitive, and give composers access to the top musicians,\u201d<\/p>\n
RESPONSE: “TOP MUSICIANS”? What is a top musician?
\nNews Flash: Not all excellent world class Los Angeles musicians
\nare RMA members. (the established RMALA line of doing business)<\/p>\n
RMA provided\u00a0Variety\u00a0with a list of 2015 releases scored outside
\nthe U.S., five of which were among the year\u2019s 25 top-grossing films.
\n(\u201cAvengers: Age of Ultron,\u201d \u201cThe Martian,\u201d \u201cMission: Impossible \u2013
\nRogue Nation,\u201d \u201cMad Max: Fury Road\u201d and \u201cKingsman:
\nThe Secret Service\u201d) that, had they been scored here, would
\nhave generated wages and residuals totaling nearly $18 million
\nfor the insiders.<\/p>\n
RESPONSE: HAD THEY BEEN SCORED IN L.A. THE RMA LEADER
\nWOULD MAKE SURE THE $18 MILLION WOULD ONLY GO TO
\nTHE SO-CALLED “TOP” MUSICIANS.<\/p>\n
In any given year, according to Los Angeles RMA chapter
\npresident Steve Dress, L.A. musicians earn an estimated
\n$10 million to $12 million in wages for movies, and passage
\nof this bill could bring in another $5 million annually.
\n\u201cIt would transform our community,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
RESPONSE: FOR WHO? AND JUST HOW MANY DIFFERENT
\nINDIVIDUAL MUSICIANS WOULD BE HIRED??<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also in the indie arena where minority composers and
\nwomen composers are working more steadily, Acosta
\npoints out. This could benefit them and promote diversity
\nin film music.<\/p>\n
RESPONSE: Why doesn’t the RMA leader just say TOP
\nCOMPOSERS. Yet he mentions minority composers and
\nwoman composers making it a level field for\u00a0composers
\nbut not all musicians have the opportunity to be hired.<\/p>\n
How about promoting DIVERSITY IN HIRING
\nPROFESSIONAL RECORDING MUSICIANS???<\/p>\n
THE RAM LEADER, CONTRACTOR AND THE
\nBUNCH ARE JUST DROOLING TO GET THEIR
\nMITS ON THAT MONEY.<\/p>\n
If the State of California passes this bill it
\nshould include that not all the monies the State
\nof California receives can benefit only a
\n‘set group’ of musicians over and over again
\ncontrolled by the RMALA.<\/p>\n
Disregard how many musicians wages received when
\nonly ones hired are the protected RMALA gang each
\ntime. Otherwise only a relative few musicians
\nwould prosper. Game over, were back where we
\nstarted 30 years ago.<\/p>\n
Musicians\u2019 Union Backs Legislation to Return Scoring Jobs to L.A.<\/p>\n
================================================<\/p>\n
II. AFM VS CANADIAN AFM PENSIONS<\/p>\n
Comparing the AFM’s Two Pension Funds:
\nOur AFM-EPF vs. Musicians’ Pension Fund of Canada<\/p>\n
While researching the dramatic deterioration of our pension
\nfund, Musicians for Pension Security (MPS) continues to be
\ndeeply troubled by how, compared to other pension funds
\nin our industry, ours is performing so poorly.\u00a0Our trustees
\ncite declining demographics, unsatisfactory industry
\ndynamics and changing mortality tables.\u00a0But a peer AFM
\nmusicians\u2019 pension fund,\u00a0Musicians’ Pension Fund of
\nCanada (MPF Canada), is quite healthy, despite the fact
\nthat it is subject to the exact same factors cited by
\nAFM-EPF trustees.<\/p>\n
Just like our pension fund, MPF Canada contributions are
\nnegotiated with employers by the AFM and written into
\ncollective-bargaining agreements.\u00a0So why are they over
\n100% funded (MPFC’s 2016 report), and we continue to
\nslide into deeper despair each year? Currently the AFM-
\nEPF is 69% funded. \u00a0(Annual Funding Notice) Is it possible
\nthat the Canadian trustees are simply more competent
\nthan our U.S. counterparts?\u00a0The numbers speak for
\nthemselves:\u00a0MPF Canada’s investment performance is
\nfar better than ours with\u00a011.3% average returns over 5
\nyears, vs. 6.9% for the AFM-EPF. In addition, MPF
\nCanada’s expenses are\u00a0less than half\u00a0of the AFM-EPF\u2019s
\nwith .62% of assets under management vs. 1.37%
\nfor AFM-EPF. The Canadians are paying half as
\nmuch to generate twice the return of investment.
\nLooking back to a pivotal year for all funds, during the
\nfinancial crisis of 2008,\u00a0the Canadians performed far
\nbetter than the AFM-EPF.\u00a0Our plan lost 29.3% in the
\nsingle fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, while the
\nCanadian plan lost only 1.77% during the same period.<\/p>\n
This raises the question \u2013\u00a0are there variables to explain
\nwhy MPF Canada has\u00a0continually\u00a0outperformed the
\nAFM-EPF, like benefit levels, mortality rates, retirement
\nage, demographics, or industry dynamics?\u00a0In short, the
\nanswer is no.\u00a0The benefit multiplier*\u00a0for MPF Canada
\nhas been $3.25 since January ’11, while the benefit
\nmultiplier of the AFM-EPF has been $1.00 since
\nJanuary ’10. Additionally, demographics for the
\nCanadian plan face worse conditions: only 32% of
\nplan participants are active union members in
\nCanada, vs. 42% of AFM-EPF members in the
\nUSA. Furthermore, employer contributions are
\nfar less in the Canadian fund, and mortality rates
\nin Canada are less favorable financially to
\nbeneficiaries because Canadians simply live longer than Americans.
\nIt appears that\u00a0the\u00a0trustees’ judgment\u00a0and experience
\nare significant determining factors between the two
\nfunds. It’s clear that when\u00a0compared to MPF Canada,
\nthe\u00a0AFM-EPF’s performance over the last decade has f
\nailed.\u00a0In fact, the Executive Director of MPF Canada
\nreleased a public statement\u00a0distancing themselves
\nfrom the AFM-EPF’s performance (referring to
\nPresident Hair’s\u00a0article\u00a0in the May ’17 edition
\nInternational Musician), stating “this article is
\nnot relevant to the Musicians’ Pension Fund of
\nCanada” (read Ms. Versteeg-Lytwyn’s full letter
\nhere).\u00a0The AFM really has\u00a0two parallel pension
\nfunds \u2013 one in the US, and the other in Canada.
\nThey are operated similarly, face the same
\ndeclining\u00a0demographics and other variables, but
\nstill they produce completely different results.<\/p>\n
Why?\u00a0This is the question the AFM-EPF trustees
\nneed to answer.<\/p>\n
*In a defined pension plan the method for arriving
\nat guaranteed monthly benefits includes years of
\nservice, average salary and a benefit multiplier.
\nThe multiplier is applied to years of service and
\nthe average salary to determine the size of the
\nbenefit amount.<\/p>\n
===========================================<\/p>\n
III. BMI FILING<\/p>\n
Dear BMI Member,<\/p>\n
As you know, BMI has been engaged in ongoing
\nlitigation with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
\nover its interpretation of our consent decree. The
\nDOJ wanted to implement a 100% licensing model,
\nwhich BMI fought against in court last summer and
\nwon. In a victory for the entire music industry, federal
\nJudge Louis Stanton ruled that BMI is free to continue
\nits longstanding practice of fractional licensing. The
\nDOJ appealed that decision, and as part of the ongoing
\nbriefing process, today BMI filed its response.<\/p>\n
You can read our brief here.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll see that our brief focuses very specifically on the
\nlanguage of BMI\u2019s consent decree and whether or not
\nit allows for the practice of fractional licensing.\u00a0 This is
\nbecause the language of our decree was the basis for
\nJudge Stanton\u2019s favorable ruling and is our strongest
\nargument in this appeal.\u00a0 We believe Judge Stanton
\ngot it right, which is why we continue to vigorously
\ndefend his position.<\/p>\n
We expect the appeal process to continue into 2018
\nand we will, of course, keep you updated on next steps.<\/p>\n
I realize that many of you may have questions about
\n100% vs fractional licensing and what this means for
\nall of you.\u00a0 Please click here for an updated Q&A that
\nhelps explain the issue and where we are in the process.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d also like to share the below statement that was
\nissued today to the press regarding BMI\u2019s brief:<\/p>\n
\u201cBMI\u2019s appeal argument is extremely simple in that it
\ncomes down to the language of our decree.\u00a0 As Judge
\nStanton clearly stated, there is nothing in the BMI
\ndecree that prevents us from engaging in the industry-
\nwide practice of fractional licensing.\u00a0 What is not
\nsimple, however, is the impact the DOJ\u2019s interpretation
\nof our decree would have on the marketplace.\u00a0 It would
\nstifle competition, hinder collaboration and unfairly benefit
\nmusic users at the expense of the American songwriter.
\nAs always, we hope for the opportunity to sit down with
\nthe new leadership of the DOJ to educate it about the
\nnegative ripple effect its 100% licensing interpretation
\nwould have on the entire music industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mike O\u2019Neill
\nPresident & CEO
\nBMI<\/p>\n
===========================================<\/p>\n
IV. EVENTS
\nDEAN AND RICHARD
\nare now at Culver City Elks the first \u2028Friday of \u2028every month.
\n7:30pm-10:30pm,
\n11160 Washington Pl.
\nCulver City, 90232
\n310-839-8891
\n————————————-
\nLA WINDS JAZZ KATS 584
\nNO COVER, NO MINIMUM.
\nEvery 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at
\nViva Cantina
\n7:30-10:00.
\n900 Riverside Drive, \u2028Burbank.<\/p>\n
Free parking across the street at Pickwick Bowl.
\nCome hear your favorite charts played the way
\nthey \u2028should \u2028be. \u2028\u2028We are in the back room called
\nthe Trailside Room. \u2028\u2028\u2028Come on down.<\/p>\n
Guaranteed to swing.<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.responsible47.com<\/p>\n
———————————————<\/p>\n
8\/19\/17<\/p>\n
From Charlie Ferguson<\/p>\n
This is to let you know that my sextet will be
\nperforming at Bar Fedora in downtown Los Angeles
\non Saturday, August 19, as part of Cathy Segal-Garcia’s
\nSaturday Night Jazz concert series. This venue (which
\nalso hosts occasional concerts on Friday nights) has
\nrecently celebrated their 100th concert since being
\nestablished in January 2016, and we are thrilled and
\nproud to be a part of it. This will be a fun program of
\nmy arrangements of jazz standards and original
\ncompositions. Details below:<\/p>\n
Charlie Ferguson Sextet
\nperforming live at
\nBar Fedora (at Au Lac Restaurant)
\n710 W. 1st St. (corner of 1st and Hope,
\nacross the street from Disney Hall)
\nLos Angeles, CA 90012<\/p>\n
Saturday, August 19, 2017
\n7:30 – 11:00 PM (2 sets)
\nTickets: $10-$30<\/p>\n
Charlie Ferguson – piano
\nGene Burkert – tenor and soprano sax
\nRon Stout – trumpet and flugelhorn
\nScott Whitfield – trombone
\nChris Conner – bass
\nBob Leatherbarrow – drums<\/p>\n
——————————————–<\/p>\n
8\/19\/17<\/p>\n
AN EVENING WITH ALEX NESTER<\/p>\n
Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:
\nSaturday, August 19, 2017 from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM (PDT)<\/p>\n
Sessions at the Loft
\n2465 Ventura Blvd
\nCamarillo, CA 91320<\/p>\n
———————————————<\/p>\n
8\/22-29\/17<\/p>\n
RESERVE YOUR SEATS NOW
\nAUGUST 22nd, 25th, 27th, 29th
\nSEPTEMBER 9th, 11th, 12th
\nEach Evening at 7:30 pm
\nMALIBU COAST MUSIC
\nFESTIVAL 2017<\/p>\n
Intimate Musical Soirees with
\nOld World Hospitality and Charm
\nPresenting Extraordinary Concert Artists
\nand Distinguished Speakers<\/p>\n
Seven Evenings of World Class Music Making
\nEach Concert Featuring
\nUnique Programming & Artists<\/p>\n
Tickets and reservations are available at
\nwww.malibufriendsofmusic.org<\/p>\n
RESERVE ONLINE
\nwww.malibufriendsofmusic.org<\/p>\n
PHONE RESERVATIONS:
\n(310) 589-0295<\/p>\n
Featuring Festival Artists from
\nAcross the Nation and the World
\nPerforming Exceptional Works of
\nAntonin Dvorak, John Corigliano
\nW.A. Mozart, Antonio Vivaldi
\nAlberto Ginastera, Alfred Newman
\nFrederick Chopin, Astor Piazzolla,
\nMaria Newman, Scott Joplin,
\nRandy Newman, William Bolcom,
\nGeorge Gershwin<\/p>\n
FESTIVAL PROGRAMS<\/p>\n
Tuesday, August 22nd at 7:30 pm
\nMONTGOMERY ARTS HOUSE FOR
\nMUSIC AND ARCHOTECTURE
\nMAHMA Great Room
\n“CHAMPAGNE GALA OPENING CONCERT”<\/p>\n
Friday, August 25th at 7:30 pm
\nMONTGOMERY ARTS HOUSE FOR
\nMUSIC AND ARCHITECTURE
\nMAHMA Great Room
\n“FRIDAY FOLKLORE & ANCIENT ANTIPHONS”<\/p>\n
Sunday, August 27th at 7:30 pm
\nMONTGOMERY ARTS HOUSE FOR
\nMUSIC AND ARCHITECTURE
\nMAHMA Great Room
\n“MARVELOUS MOZART, TANTALIZING
\nTANGO, AND A TRAVELING SALESWOMAN”<\/p>\n
Tuesday, August 29th at 7:30 pm
\nMONTGOMERY ARTS HOUSE FOR
\nMUSIC AND ARCHITECTURE
\nMAHMA Great Room
\n“WONDERFUL AND WILDE”<\/p>\n
Saturday, September 9th at 7:30 pm
\nMONTGOMERY ARTS HOUSE FOR
\nMUSIC AND ARCHITECTURE
\nMAHMA Great Room
\n“SONGS FOR SOLDIERS”<\/p>\n
Monday, September 11 at 7:30 pm
\nMONTGOMERY ARTS HOUSE FOR
\nMUSIC AND ARCHITECTURE
\nMAHMA Great Room
\n“IN REMEMBRANCE”<\/p>\n
Tuesday, September 12th at 7:30 pm
\nMONTGOMERY ARTS HOUSE FOR
\nMUSIC AND ARCHITECTURE
\nMAHMA Great Room
\n“FANTASTIC FESTIVAL FINALE”<\/p>\n
MCMF 2017 Festival Artists:
\nNicholas Goluses, classic guitarist
\nMiko Kominami, pianist
\nEric Kutz, cellist
\nPaula Hochhaler, cellist
\nHal Ott, flutist
\nChristina Borgioli, soprano
\nNandani Maria Sinha, mezzo soprano
\nDiana Tash, mezzo soprano
\nWendy Prober, pianist
\nMaria Newman, Composer-in-Residence
\nand violinist
\nScott Hosfeld, Music Director\/Conductor
\nand violist
\nMalibu Coast String Quartet
\nMembers of the
\nMalibu Coast Silent Film Orchestra<\/p>\n
For more information on the
\nMalibu Friends of Music
\nplease visit: www.malibufriendsofmusic.org<\/p>\n
———————————————<\/p>\n
Wu Nation,<\/p>\n
We will be appearing at Rusty’s Surf Ranch on Saturday,
\nAugust 26th 2017, starting at 10:00 pm and will play two
\nsets of your favorite Steely Dan tunes!\u00a0 We want this to
\nbe a fun evening for all, so please bring your friends
\nalong and enjoy a great time with us.<\/p>\n
The line up for this show will be:<\/p>\n
Tony Egan: Lead Vocals
\nLeigh DeMarche: Vocals
\nJodi Fodor: Vocals
\nGil Ayan: Guitar
\nSteve Bias: Bass and Vocals
\nRoch Bordenave: Trombone
\nJeff Dellisanti: Saxophones
\nMark Harrison: Keyboards
\nFrank Villafranca: Saxophones
\nKurt Walther: Drums<\/p>\n
Rusty’s Surf Ranch
\n256 Santa Monica Pier
\nSanta Monica, CA 90401
\n(310) 393-7437
\nhttp:\/\/www.rustyssurfranch.com\/<\/p>\n
We look forward to seeing you there!
\nThe Doctor Wu Band
\nhttp:\/\/www.doctorwuband.com\/
\nhttps:\/\/www.facebook.com\/doctorwuband<\/p>\n
—————————————————<\/p>\n
8\/27\/17<\/p>\n
SUNDAY’S LIVE with Susan Greenberg
\nand friends.<\/p>\n
Hi. Please join us for a free chamber
\nmusic concert at<\/p>\n
LACMA Sunday August 27, 2017 6 pm.
\nPut it in your calendars!\u00a0 Susan<\/p>\n
Sundays Live Concert Sunday August 27, 2017\u00a0\u00a0 6 pm\u00a0 FREE
\nLos Angeles County Museum of Art\u00a0 Bing Auditorium<\/p>\n
Susan Greenberg, flute
\nPasha Tseitlin, violin
\nTim Richardson, viola
\nJudith Farmer, bassoon
\nNic Gerpe, piano<\/p>\n
Trio Sonata in b Minor for flute,
\nbassoon and piano\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026.Jean-Baptist
\nLoeillet\u00a0 (1680-1730)
\nLargo
\nAllegro
\nAdagio
\nAllegro con Spirto<\/p>\n
Serenade in D Major, op. 141a for flute,
\nviolin and viola\u2026\u2026..Max Reger (1873-1916)
\nVivace
\nLarghetto
\nPresto<\/p>\n
Ghost Train for flute, bassoon and piano
\n\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026Gernot Wolfgang\u00a0 (1957-)<\/p>\n
Sonata for flute, violin and piano
\n\u2026\u2026Nino Rota (1911-1979)
\nAllegro Ma Non Troppo
\nAndante Sostenuto
\nAllegro<\/p>\n
Concerto for 2 violins, flute, bassoon
\nand piano\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026..
\nAntonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
\nAllegro
\nLargo
\nPresto<\/p>\n
—————————–<\/p>\n
8\/27\/1<\/p>\n
CENTERSTAGE OPERA
\nCaf\u00e9 della Vita in\u00a0West Hills hosts our next Musical
\nDinner August 27th!
\nOpera, Broadway, jazz standards and soft rock sung
\nby CSO Artistic Directors Shira Renee Thomas,
\nDylan F.Thomas\u00a0and friends<\/p>\n
Choose from 3 delicious entree choices:
\ngrilled salmon
\nchicken marsala or
\nlasagna (meat or vegetarian).
\nThe entire evening, including full-course
\nmeal and entertainment, is just $55
\nwhich includes tax and tip (wine available
\nat additional charge).<\/p>\n
Reservations are required & limited, so act now.<\/p>\n
call\u00a0818-517-4102<\/p>\n
Caf\u00e9 della Vita
\n23759 Roscoe Blvd., West Hills<\/p>\n
—————————–<\/p>\n
9\/6\/17<\/p>\n
Free Admission GLENDALE NOON CONCERTS<\/p>\n
Wed SEPTEMBER 6, 2017 at 12:10-12:40 pm<\/p>\n
ARIOSO DUO: Flutist Cynthia Ellis & Harpist Michelle Temple
\nplay Elgar, Nielsen, Mouquet and Damase.
\nThank you!<\/p>\n
Jacqueline Suzuki
\nCurator, Glendale Noon Concerts
\n818-249-5108
\nhttp:\/\/www.glendalenoonconcerts.blogspot.com<\/p>\n
UNTIL NEXT TIME,\u2028\u2028THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
8\/17\/17 I. MEMBER COMMENTARY II. AFM VS CANADIAN AFM PENSIONS III. BMI FILING IV. EVENTS …Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer …The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’\u2028scoring musician …Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician …Reporting issues the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=442"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/442\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}