802 NOTES: the electronic newsletter of Local 802

This edition: April 9, 2014

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HEALTH PLAN UPDATE &
SPECIAL MEETING

Local 802 announces important changes
to the union's health plans

Due to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, Local 802 is changing its health plans effective Oct. 1, 2014. The plan's changes can be found here and were also mailed to every health plan participant.

To explain these changes, Local 802 announces a SPECIAL MEETING on Wednesday, April 16 at 5 p.m. here at Local 802. All five union trustees from the health plan will attend as well as the plan administrator and legal counsel.

BEYOND THE GIG

Promoting yourself, getting paid, and how the union can help*

(*plus free lunch!)

Do you wonder how musicians successfully use the internet to get work
and protect their music? Would you like to learn how the internet can be used to help you know when and where your music is being played?

Have you had issues tracking and collecting royalties?

Have you thought about the difference of working as an employee vs. an
independent contractor and does it really make a difference?

Would you like to learn how Local 802 can assist you in protecting your wages?
Would you like to know about resources to help you create contracts for gigs?

We invite you to a free seminar! Panelists include:

* Melvin Gibbs, the Grammy-nominated bassist, who has recently joined the efforts of the Content Creators Coalition to make sure artists are compensated for the materials they create in all of today's formats.

* Ben Allison, a bassist, composer, bandleader and arts advocate, who has created a successful business model for his career

* Bassist David Finck, who will speak about his successful recording career.

* Ken Robinson, freelance woodwind player, who has helped artists manage their social media presence

* Harvey Mars, Esq.

* Kathryn Wagner, executive director of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

WHEN: Wednesday, April 16, 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Location announced once you register
COST: Free! (But spots are limited. Register now!)
LUNCH: Included! (There is such a thing as a free lunch!)

Registration is open to any musician. To register, email Dorothy Gibson by clicking here. If you are a member of Local 802, please tell us your union number.

FREE DENTAL CLINIC FOR MUSICIANS

Announcing a free dental clinic for eligible music professionals. Eligible patients will receive a complete dental exam, bitewing X-rays and a dental cleaning, all free of charge.

The clinic will take place on Tuesday, May 13, from 9:30 to 4:30, at Local 802.

All appointments must be scheduled in advance. To qualify, participants must document at least five years of professional music career history

To make an appointment or for more information, please call MusiCares at (877) 303-6962.

This clinic is sponsored by MusiCares, Local 802, and Smiles Programs: the Mobile Dentists.

FREE PILATES CLASSES FOR

MUSICIANS!

Announcing Pilates classes for musicians, offering techniques to build core strength and de-stress the body. Being physically fit is key to a long, pain-free performance career. Local 802, plus the union's Membership Assistance Program and the Actors Fund,are pleased to present a free series of classes to help raise fitness levels and lessen the physical toll of stress on the body.

Whether you stand or sit to perform, your body takes a beating over time. Do you experience a chronically sore back, "stuck" shoulders, a stiff neck, or maybe shooting pains running down a leg? These are among the most common complaints of hard working musicians. These types of conditions tend to get worse, unless you do something. Join us to get a better body, week by week. You'll start feeling the benefits from the first class.

Certified Pilates instructor Karin Fantus has created this program to help musicians develop a more pain-free working relationship between body and instrument. Siena Shundi, social work coordinator at Local 802, will also participate. As a psychotherapist and athlete, Siena will add her unique perspective on the relationship of physical fitness to our overall well-being: mental, emotional and professional.

WHAT: A series of Pilates classes offering techniques to build core strength and de-stress the body

WHEN: Fridays from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. There is a series currently in progress and another series coming up. Inquire about both.

Location (in Midtown Manhattan) to be announced once you register. (Registration is mandatory. Class limited to 10 participants. Class is free, but may fill up.)

To register, click here.

FREE VOICE SCREENINGS FOR PROFESSIONAL SINGERS

In celebration of World Voice Day, the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary Voice and Swallowing Institute and MusiCares are co-sponsoring free voice screenings for professional singers. An individualized, comprehensive physical examination and videostroboscopy to diagnose vocal problems and assess injury risk will be conducted and practical tips for maintaining optimal vocal health will be shared.

What: FREE VOICE SCREENINGS

When: Friday, April 25, between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Where: Location announced once you register

Reservation required: YES* (* see below)

Medical tests and services will be provided by an internationally recognized expert in care of the professional voice, voice conservation and restoration. A speech language pathologist and singing voice specialist will also be present.

*Appointments must be made in advance. To determine eligibility or request an application, call (212) 245-7840 or click here to send an e-mail now.

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

Hearing services for musicians: www.EastSideHearing.com

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

Musicians: do you have a legal concern? Click the link below to reach Local 802's lawyer Harvey S. Mars:

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

To respond to this newsletter directly or to give any comments, click here

To reach Local 802 by phone, call (212) 245-4802. For more information on our services and departments, see www.Local802afm.org

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. E-mail Allegro@Local802afm.org for more information.

Local 802 AFM

322 West 48th St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 245-4802

Mikael Elsila is the editor of Allegro magazine and the 802 NOTES electronic newsletter. He can be reached at: Allegro@Local802afm.org

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE MUSICIANS OF THE MET OPERA!

Click the image above or visit their web site by clicking here.

TONIGHT ONLY!
(Wednesday, April 9)

Local 802 and The Society of Composers and Lyricists in New York present

Exotic Instruments, Indigenous Musicians 2.0: A New York Composer's Guide to Writing World Music

Wednesday, April 9, 5:30 to 7:30 at Local 802

Featuring Valerie Naranjo (gyil), Yacouba Sissoko (kora); John La Barbera (oud); Vincent Scialla (riq); and Reinaldo DeJesus (percussion).

Musicians will discuss range, styles, notation, and performance practices - all aimed at deepening the composer's understanding of how to write for these instruments. Attendees will have an opportunity for up-close Q&A, and presenters will finish the evening with a jam session!

FREE FOR MEMBERS OF LOCAL 802 AND FREE FOR MEMBERS OF SCL

REGISTRATION REQUIRED:

CLICK HERE.*

*MEMBERS OF SCL AND LOCAL 802 SHOULD ENTER THE CODE world WHEN YOU REGISTER!

APPLY FOR LOCAL 802'S ANNE WALKER SCHOLARSHIP!

May 1 is the deadline to apply for this year's Anne Walker Scholarship prizes. This is the 16th year that members of Local 802 and their children who are pursuing studies in music will have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship established in memory of Anne Walker. For details on how to apply, click here.

LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

How do you find affordable housing in New York City? How do you know if you're eligible? How can you best prepare yourself to apply? ...And what does "affordable housing" mean anyway?

This two-hour seminar will address rent stabilized and government-subsidized housing options city-wide. The particular circumstances of musicians and cash-earners will be addressed.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR THIS SPECIAL WORKSHOP:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 FROM 3 to 5 P.M. AT LOCAL 802

RESERVE YOUR SPOT BY CLICKING HERE.

ANNOUNCING A MEMORIAL CONCERT FOR LOCAL 802 MEMBERS RUTH AND LAMAR ALSOP

There will be a memorial concert for Local 802 members Ruth and Lamar Alsop (click here to read their obituaries as published in Allegro) on Monday, April 21 at 6 p.m. at the Tishman Auditorium at the New School, 63 Fifth Avenue. Click here for more details.

This is a graphic of the symbol for health care

MUSICIANS: GET HEALTH INSURANCE UNDER OBAMACARE?

Read the story in the March 2014 issue of Allegro! Click here.

$30K SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR LABOR STUDIES

The Murphy Institute has launched a new scholarship in labor studies. The scholarship is substantial: up to $30,000 for graduate students and up to $20,000 for undergraduates. Apply now! For more information, click here. (Also, information on a diversity scholarship is available here.)

THE MARCH ISSUE OF ALLEGRO IS ONLINE NOW

TAX TIPS FOR MUSICIANS
How do you "depreciate" your instrument to reduce your taxable income? Click here!

DO YOU CONTRACT MUSICIANS? IF SO, YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT LOCAL 802'S BRAND-NEW...

CONTRACTOR'S CHECKLIST

Click here to read it now.

CLICK HERE
IF YOU WANT TO HELP KEEP THE UNION STRONG

THE UNFAIR LIST: DO NOT PERFORM FOR THESE EMPLOYERS!

The current AFM UNFAIR LIST can be found here. AFM musicians are prohibited from working for these employers.

HOW OLD IS TOO OLD?

Have you ever lost a gig because your client or bandleader thought you were too old? What can you do about it? Click here to read the article that everyone is talking about, from the February 2013 issue of our union magazine Allegro. Let's blow the lid wide open on one of the most taboo subjects in the music industry: age discrimination. Tell us your story of age discrimination -- or give us feedback -- by sending us a confidential e-mail here .

Have you visited the Local 802 FACEBOOK PAGE yet?

If not, you've missed out on exclusive stories and announcements.

Get special tips, and network with other musicians on our Facebook page. Click here to get started.

ALLEGRO CLASSIFIEDS

Do you want to see the BEST DEALS on used instruments and other services for musicians? Click here to check out the Allegro classifieds. To purchase a classified, click here.

LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

Did you know that there's a housing project for musicians where the rent is only $635 a month? Click here to learn more!

If you are a Broadway musician and your show closes, can you apply for unemployment? Yes. While you are collectingunemployment, can you sub on other Broadway shows, teach lessons, and play other freelance gigs? Yes, but your unemployment check may be reduced.

What if you're a club date musician and your leader or office hasn't booked you on a wedding gig in months? Can you apply for unemployment in that case?

For the answer to that question and more information on musicians and unemployment benefits, click here to read a story written by Local 802's counsel Harvey Mars with the Workers Defense Fund.

WANT TO HELP MUSICIANS, MAKE CONNECTIONS AND HAVE FUN?

Interns at Local 802 make a tremendous impact on the lives of musicians while gaining valuable experience and connections. You or someone you know can help us make a big difference. The union is now accepting applications for interns. Spread the word and click here for more information!

NEED FINANCIAL AID?

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND?

The Emergency Relief Fund helps musicians in need. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a directed grant to the musician's creditors; for example, to a landlord, physician, etc. The eligibility requirements are:

A minimum of two years' membership in the union;
Union membership in good standing, with all dues paid;
"Dire need" as defined by the fund's trustees. This can include: threat of gas, electric or telephone cutoff; eviction; medical debts; costs incurred due to the theft of instruments; auto repairs vital to continued employment; and other emergencies.

To apply, contact the union's social worker Siena Shundi by clicking here or calling (212) 245-4802, ext. 180. Siena can also help you apply for other financial help from sources like the Actors' Fund and other relief organizations.

Click the ad above for info.

JAZZ JAM!

There is a jazz jam on most Mondays at Local 802 (322 West 48th Street), from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call Joe Petrucelli at the Jazz Foundation of America at (212) 245-3999, ext. 10, or click here.

DO YOU HAVE MONEY WAITING FOR YOU?

Somtimes the union may have a check in your name, but no way to get it to you because your address is outdated. To see if there's money waiting for you, click here.

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. For more information, click here.

Click the ad above for info.