1\/6\/18<\/p>\n
I. NEW COURT FILING
\nII. HELP THE MPS (Musicians for Pension Security)
\nIII. EVENTS<\/p>\n
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE COMMITTEE!!<\/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
================================<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I. New Court Filing Offers Play by Play Account of Trustees\u2019 Decision Making
\n[Colleagues: Get a load of Ray Hair’s and Tino Gagliardi’s role in this.]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On December 1, 2017, an amended complaint in
\nthe lawsuit filed by AFM Local 802 members Andy
\nSnitzer and Paul Livant was filed in Federal District
\nCourt, Southern District of New York. For those
\ninterested in understanding what happened to
\nour pensions, this court filing provides a play by
\nplay account, from 2009-2016, of the decision
\nmaking by our trustees and fund administrator
\nthat led to the current state of our pension fund.
\nIt tells a story of poor investment decision making,
\nattempts to time the stock market, and payments
\nto multiple investment managers, in millions of
\ndollars, for little return.<\/p>\n
This account was sourced from internal meeting
\nminutes and communications within the AFM-EPF
\nobtained through the court-supervised discovery
\nprocess. Much of this is information that plan
\nparticipants have until now been denied access to.<\/p>\n
The trustees have made it clear that they don\u2019t
\nagree with MPS\u2019 analysis of the fund, even though
\nvirtually all of our information has come directly
\nfrom the AFM-EPF\u2019s own files. This court filing
\noffers a third view of the AFM-EPF, one that
\nMPS had no hand in.\u00a0 It also offers an opportunity
\nfor plan participants to make up their own mind
\nwith important new information. Read and decide
\nfor yourself. Click here for the full document.<\/p>\n
No one knows whether the lawsuit will succeed
\nin court. Whatever happens there, the plaintiffs
\nhave done us all a service by bringing to light
\nimportant facts concerning our fund.<\/p>\n
One area that this court filing sheds new light
\non concerns the AFM-EPF Communications
\nCommittee. In early 2016, the trustees formed
\na so-called Communication Committee, which
\nincludes trustees Ray Hair and Tino Gagliardi.
\nThe committee made the decision in March
\n2017 to post only partial versions of the investment
\nreports to the AFM-EPF website. They also made
\nit policy that any document requested by a plan
\nparticipant would have to be copied, on paper,
\nat significant expense, rather than sent
\nelectronically to the requester.<\/p>\n
According to the court filing, while communicating
\nabout plan participant\u2019s access to information to
\nwhich they are legally entitled,\u00a0Maureen Kilkelly
\ntold Communication Committee members Ray
\nHair and Tino Gagliardi that \u201cI would love to
\nthink of a way to curtail it\u201d even though she
\nrecognized \u201cit is efficient and time-saving
\nto send items electronically as opposed to
\ncopying, addressing and mailing a hard
\ncopy.\u201d \u00a0This quote is taken from\u00a0page 47
\nend of paragraph 102 of the complaint.<\/p>\n
Read it here.<\/p>\n
As recently as December 9, 2017, plan
\nparticipants received an email blast from
\nour trustees stating that they \u201care committed
\nto ensuring that all participants have access
\nto timely and accurate information about the
\nfund and its financial status.\u201d Clearly, the
\npolicies set internally by the Communications
\nCommittee are in stark contrast to what the
\ntrustees have been publicly communicating
\nto plan participants.<\/p>\n
Below we set forth two other important
\nexamples where the trustee\u2019s statement
\nthat they are \u201ccommitted to ensuring that
\nall participants have access to timely and
\naccurate information\u201d is easily proven to
\nbe false.<\/p>\n
First, the most recent Form 5500 that is
\navailable to plan participants covers the
\nplan year ended March 31, 2016 \u2013 information
\nthat is now 21 months old. Form 5500 is
\nthe legally mandated disclosure document
\nconcerning the assets, liabilities, income,
\nand expenses of our plan. The Form 5500
\nfor the plan\u2019s fiscal year ended March 31,
\n2017, was due on October 31, 2017, but it
\nhas not been filed. The AFM- EPF does this
\nby filing for an extension with the IRS. The
\nextension allows them to file their form 5500
\nas late as January 15 of the following year.<\/p>\n
In other words, the trustees take the longest
\nallowable time in which to file this important
\ndisclosure form. This is not the behavior of
\nan organization seeking to be transparent.
\nWith their extensive staff, outside accounting,
\nactuarial and legal resources, there is no
\nreason why our trustees could not have
\nfiled the Form 5500 months ago.<\/p>\n
And second, because the trustees\u2019 Roadshow
\nPresentation in February 2017 included
\nsome questionable facts, MPS sought
\nrelevant information from the trustees
\nconcerning investment fees, expenses
\nand the finances of our plan. All these
\nrequests were denied. The only documents
\nthe trustees would disclose are those required
\nunder the law and many are heavily redacted.
\n(See our prior article here.)<\/p>\n
To sum it up: The trustees are not giving us
\ntimely communications and what they provide
\nis difficult to get, expensive and incomplete.
\nAnd just when the trustees let us know we
\ncould be facing cuts to existing benefits,
\nthose same trustees decided to curtail
\nparticipants\u2019 access to information, making
\nit harder for plan participants to figure out
\nwhat happened.<\/p>\n
Read the court case and share your
\nthoughts on our Facebook page here
\nor email us at info@musicansforpensionsecurity.com<\/p>\n
[Colleagues: At every point where they could have chosen
\neither transparency or obfuscation, they
\nchose the latter. We deserve infinitely better]<\/p>\n
=====================================<\/p>\n
II. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP THE MUSICIANS
\nFOR PENSION SECURITY (MPS)<\/p>\n
MPS Community,<\/p>\n
Since we started our work on the behalf of AFM
\nmembers around the country we have received
\nmany emails asking, \u201cHow can we help?\u201d Today,
\nwe\u2019d like to ask all AFM members for assistance
\nin the coming year. Most of what we need won\u2019t
\ntake much of your time at all:<\/p>\n
VOLUNTEER AN HOUR<\/p>\n
MPS has grown into a national volunteer organization.
\nAs we continue to grow, the day to day administrative
\nduties grow as well. There are simple tasks like data
\nentry and communications that could be covered by
\nanyone willing to give up an hour or two per week.
\nThis is a simple job but enormously helpful. Those
\nwith special skills like copywriting, online marketing,
\npublic relations or anything else that you think might
\nbe valuable to MPS in the fight to protect our pension
\nfund, please don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch.<\/p>\n
Email us here: info@musiciansforpensionsecurity.com
\nImportant: Put MPS VOLUNTEER in the subject line
\nand let us know how you would like to help.<\/p>\n
MPS MEETING COMMITTEE<\/p>\n
MPS will soon be announcing a date for another
\nopen meeting to discuss the state of the AFM-EPF
\nfor all plan participants. That meeting will be held in
\nNew York City and will most likely take place
\nsometime in the next few months. Our inaugural
\nmeeting last spring drew hundreds of people.
\nNow that we are a nationwide organization we
\nexpect the attendance to be even larger. For
\nthat reason, we are forming the MPS Meeting
\nCommittee and need volunteers to help with the
\nlogistics! The tasks that are involved with this
\nmeeting can be as simple as showing up early
\non the day of the meeting to help set up chairs
\nor greeting people at the door with handouts. For
\nanyone willing to give a little more time, we will
\nneed help with communications and the audio\/
\nvisual equipment setup for our presentation.<\/p>\n
To volunteer for MPS Meeting Committee
\nemail us at:
\ninfo@musiciansforpensionsecurity.com
\nImportant: Put MPS Meeting Committee in the
\nsubject line and let us know how you would like to help.<\/p>\n
DONATE<\/p>\n
If you can\u2019t donate your time, please consider
\nmaking a donation to MPS. We are an all-volunteer
\norganization made up of fellow musicians across
\nthe country that donate their time to help in the
\nfight to protect our pension fund. Many of us
\ncontinue to cover some expenses out of pocket,
\nbut as the organization grows, this will not be
\nfeasible in the long term. Fortunately, now
\nthat we have a large following across the country,
\nsmall donations from our many members
\ncan have a huge impact. Please consider
\nmaking a donation here.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
SUPPORT THE BUTCH LEWIS ACT<\/p>\n
The Teamsters are frankly carrying a lot of our
\nwater on this. We can do more by way of
\npressuring our representatives In Washington
\nDC. Call them this week!\u00a0You can find links to
\nyour rep\u2019s contact info and suggested script
\nhere. (Read about the Butch Lewis Act here.)<\/p>\n
CONTINUE TO SHOW UP IN 2018!<\/p>\n
All our important accomplishments in the last
\nyear happened when AFM members came
\ntogether and took action. Whether it was coming
\nto a meeting to learn more about the problems
\nat the AFM-EPF or the thousands of calls and
\nemails to AFM President Ray Hair, those actions
\nmade a huge difference in the fight to protect our
\npensions in 2017. In 2018 we must continue to
\norganize and speak with one collective voice.
\nWe cannot be just an online community. We
\nmust continue to turn out and show up for
\nimportant meetings and presentations when
\nthey occur. Your presence alone shows support.
\nLet us continue to bring our community together
\nand work towards protecting our\u00a0pension fund in 2018.<\/p>\n
Happy New Year from MPS!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
====================================<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
III. 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<\/p>\n
——————————————-<\/p>\n
1\/10\/17<\/p>\n
Multiplying Cellos – Villa-Lobos Festival at Music@Mimoda
\nHosted by Maksim Velichkin and Lars Hoefs<\/p>\n
Wednesday, January 10 at 8 PM – 9:30 PM<\/p>\n
MiMoDa Studio
\n5774 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
1\/19\/18<\/p>\n
LOS ANGELES FLUTE ORCHESTRA<\/p>\n
The 9 piece flute orchestra that I perform with will be
\nhaving a concert at the Miles Playhouse on Jan. 19th.<\/p>\n
I hope you can make it. In addition to the large ensemble
\nI will be playing in a quartet!<\/p>\n
Tickets are limited, so I suggest that if you are interested
\nyou purchase them through the eventbrite website.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/los-angeles-flute-orchestra-fireside-at-the-miles-tickets-41146543419
\nHere\u2019s to a fabulous 2018!<\/p>\n
Ellen Burr<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
1\/19\/18<\/p>\n
Tuesday, January 19th, 2018 \/ 8:00 pm
\nPete Christlieb & Linda Small
\nwith the\u00a0Ray Ohls\u00a0Trio
\nRay Ohls on piano\u00a0Derick Polke on bass Tim Malland on drums
\nBrother Don\u2019s
\n4200 Kitsap Way
\nBremerton, WA 98312
\nReservations: (360) 377.8442
\nDirections.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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2\/1\/18<\/p>\n
DeLuna, Marder & Kronstadt
\nUpstairs at Vitello’s
\nThursday, February 1 at 8 PM – 11 PM
\n4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, California 91604<\/p>\n
Three Singers, Songwriters, and Arrangers perform
\ntheir Original Music. Jazz\/Brazilian\/Groove\/Pop\u2026
\nbacked by an All-Star Band.<\/p>\n
Featuring<\/p>\n
Rich Ruttenberg on piano,
\nEdwin Livingston on bass,
\nJoel Taylor on drums,
\nBrian Swartz on trumpet,
\nBob Sheppard on sax,
\nPeter Kent and Rocio Marron on violin,
\nRodney Wirtz on viola,
\nand Peggy Baldwin on cello.<\/p>\n
Tickets: $20 for General Admission\/\/ $40 for VIP Seating<\/p>\n
A minimum of two items ($20.00) is required per person
\nwhile occupying a table. If the minimum is not met the
\ndifference will be charged. – Free dessert with your
\npurchase of a VIP ticket. $10<\/p>\n
TICKET PRICE INCREASE DAY OF SHOW.
\nGET YOUR TICKETS NOW!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
2\/7\/18<\/p>\n
Brendan White- Piano & Jacqueline Suzuki- Violin at Music@Mimoda
\n\u00b7 Hosted by Maksim Velichkin and Jacqueline Suzuki<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wednesday, February 7 at 8 PM – 9:30 PM<\/p>\n
MiMoDa Studio
\n5774 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
2\/10-11\/18<\/p>\n
RIVERSIDE PHILHARMONIC<\/p>\n
\u201cAnimatus Eventus\u201d\u2028Saturday, February 10, 2018 @ 7:30 p.m.\u2028Sunday, February 11, 2018 @ 2:00 p.m.
\nMusic to entertain the young and the young
\nat heart, with a unique concert celebrating the
\nmusic of cartoons including \u201cAlice\u2019s Wonderland,\u201d
\n\u201cFelix goes to Hollywood,\u201d and others, composed
\nby some of Hollywood\u2019s top\u00a0cartoon composers,
\nlike Mark Watters and Charles Fernandez.<\/p>\n
Plus: Animatus Eventus (Cartoon Suite),\u00a0a three
\nmovement symphonic work by Charles Fernandez
\nbased on original material with nods to cartoons
\nfrom the last 80 years, including classic cartoon
\nfootage shown on a large screen.
\nEmail – info@riversidephilharmonic.org
\nPhone – 951-787-0251
\n——————————————-<\/p>\n
2\/11\/18
\nLOS ANGELES SYMPHONIC WINDS
\nSteve Piazza, Director
\nSubscription Concert 4 \u2013\u00a0Valentine Concert
\nSunday February 11, 2018\u00a0at\u00a02:30 pm
\nCalabasas High School Performing Arts Education Center
\n22855 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302<\/p>\n
Valentines Concert featuring music of some of
\nhistory\u2019s greatest pairs of lovers including
\nRomeo and Juliet and Tristan and Isolde.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
The Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program at the Seattle Film Institute<\/p>\n
is now accepting applications for the one-year<\/p>\n
Master of Music in Film Composition<\/p>\n
One of the Top 4 Film Music Programs in the World!<\/p>\n
Recently rated as the #4 school in the world for film scoring education by\u00a0Music School Central.<\/p>\n
“in just one year, the school places students into a pressure cooker of intense learning resulting in a professional demo reel that can be used to obtain future paid commercial opportunities.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Learn from Industry Professionals<\/p>\n
All PNWFS faculty are active professional film and game composers, orchestrators, copyists, and engineers, including the program’s creator and lead instructor Dr.\u00a0Hummie Mann. \u00a0Hummie is the two-time Emmy Award winning film composer of “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” and featured in Variety Magazine’s article\u00a0“Leaders in Learning”.<\/p>\n
Our Program Features:
\n\u2022 9 live recording sessions with professional musicians at Studio X, Seattle’s premiere, world-class studio.
\n\u2022 Opportunities to work with student directors to score actual films from film programs all over the world.
\n\u2022 \u2028Training in all major software programs used in the industry.
\n\u2022 \u2028A state-of-the-art workstation assigned to each student fully installed with the latest versions of all software, sample libraries and plug-ins needed to complete the program.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Accelerated and Affordable<\/p>\n
We are a one-year Master of Music in Film Composition program which not only gives our graduates the opportunity to enter the industry and start their careers a year sooner than other programs but saves them an entire year of living expenses. In addition to our accelerated format we also offer the most affordable tuition out of competing programs. Our students have access to FAFSA financial assistance, loans, and scholarships as well.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
History of Success<\/p>\n
We are very proud to have a high success rate for our graduates who have gone on to work on television shows such as Castle, Empire, and Once Upon a Time; video games such as World of Warcraft, Spate, and Destiny; and films such as The Revenant, Trolls, The Dark Tower, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.\u00a0Apply now\u00a0and you could be joining their ranks!<\/p>\n
Applications are being accepted for the Fall 2018\u00a0school year.
\nWe offer rolling admissions – no deadline to apply.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(800) 882-4734 | www.pnwfilmmusic.com
\n——————————————–<\/p>\n
UNTIL NEXT TIME,\u2028\u2028THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
1\/6\/18 I. NEW COURT FILING II. HELP THE MPS (Musicians for Pension Security) III. EVENTS HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE COMMITTEE!! …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 – […]<\/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-494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494","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=494"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}