802 NOTES: the electronic newsletter of Local 802

This edition: May 27, 2015

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Free Admission

What: Local 802 AFM and the Society of Composers and Lyricists (NY) welcome you to attend a joint workshop on recording in New York with a special focus on film scoring and initiatives to bring more film scoring work to New York City.

When: Tuesday, June 2, 5:30 - 7:30

Where: Local 802 Club Room, 322 West 48^th Street.

RSVP: Please Reply to Robert Pawlo by clicking here.

Light refreshments served.

Why: In the last several decades, composers and musicians have faced shrinking music budgets, increased pressure for buyout contracts, and off-shoring of recording work. Recording studios in New York have been forced to close, and some of the world's greatest musicians have found their jobs outsourced. But can this trend be reversed? Find out about attempts through tax incentives to encourage studios to return, and the array of resources New York already has for film scoring.

Our panel of composers, contractors and other experts from the SCL, Local 802, SonicScoop, the Post NY Alliance, RMA and others will be discussing what we can do to secure a future for recording and scoring in New York City. There will be ample time for questions, answers, and discussion.

Panelists:

David Finck, Musician, Contractor
Eric Hachikian, Composer, RMA-NY Vice-President
Maya Kremen, Political and Communications Director, Local 802
Yana Collins Lehman, Co-Chair, Post NY Alliance
Greg Pliska, Society of Composers and Lyricists
David Sheldon, Principal Business Representative, Local 802, AFM
Mark Suozzo, Composer, SCL
David Weiss, Founder/Editor, SonicScoop

RSVP: Please Reply to Robert Pawlo by clicking here. Light refreshments served.

Time to buy a new instrument?

The Actors Federal Credit Union announces a special LOAN DAY for musicians at Local 802...

The Actors Federal Credit Union -- which is open to all Local 802 musicians -- has lowered its rates on musical instrument loans and is inviting members of Local 802 to its upcoming Loan Day on Wednesday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Local 802.

Rates for musical instrument loans range from 4.50 percent to 4.99 percent, up to a maximum amount of $250,000. Complete details are available here.

Lending Director Samuella Seisay said, "Our time at Local 802 will allow members to ask their individual questions and begin the loan process on the spot, if they so choose. The members of Local 802 and their specific needs continue to be of continued importance to ActorsFCU."

Members interested in financing with ActorsFCU must bring current government issued photo ID, proof of current income, and the top two pages of last year's tax return. Questions prior to the event are welcome at (212) 869-8926. Press option 4.

(ActorsFCU serves nearly 25,000 members and has assets of more than $208 million. To learn more about credit union membership and its benefits, see here.)

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 Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12, each day 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.

Will you help the Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund continue its work on your behalf?

Dear musician,

Your donation to the Local 802 Musicians' ERF supports a unique & dedicated safety net, coming to the aid of your brother and sister members in their times of dire need. The ERF was created for musicians and funded by musicians. We are taking care of our own!

Whether the problem is one of serious illness, homelessness, addiction, alcoholism, family & relationship crises, or the sustained loss of income, the ERF and the office of our Musicians' Assistance Program (MAP) are ready to help.

Completely confidential services for members and their families are available at MAP without charge. Money to directly pay doctors, landlords, utilities, and other creditors comes in the form of grants from the ERF.

It takes a lot of cash to make this all happen and the need has never been greater!

Your tax-deductible donation is critical to our mission.

Any amount you may choose is deeply appreciated. Your generous gift to the ERF will be recognized on our list of supporters (with your permission, of course) on the new ERF website.

Please support us now by clicking here. (Or click on this button below:)

You may also send your check, payable to "Local 802 Musicians' ERF" to: Emergency Relief Fund, Attention: Andy Schwartz, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036

Thank you,

Andy Schwartz, Fundraising Coordinator

Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund

P.S. Are you planning your estate? Will you please consider the ERF in those plans? Contact us to discuss this important legacy gift!

Any other questions on donating to the ERF? Click here to send us an e-mail.

BROADWAY BRASS ROUNDTABLE

Local 802 recently filmed a roundtable panel about Broadway brass musicians in the president's office for the web site www.hip-bonemusic.com. The session featured Tino Gagliardi, Bob Millikan, Tony Kadleck, Keith O'Quinn and Randy Andos. Click the photo above to watch the show!

A farmworkers' union has called for a boycott of Driscoll's and Sakuma Berries. According to sources, farmworkers in Baja California, Mexico struck several Driscoll's suppliers in March, demanding better wages and an end to sexual harrassment. Driscoll's also distributes scab berries from Washington's Sakuma Brother's Farms, where pickers have let a boycott since last summer. For more info, click here.

GET A LOAN FOR THAT NEW INSTRUMENT YOU'VE BEEN WANTING!

Loan rates have been slashed at the Actors Federal Credit Union. All Local 802 members are invited to join the credit union. Click here for more information on loans.

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

MEMBERSHIP ALERT

If any Local 802 member has been accepted to, or has signed any form of agreement with, the Bard College "Orchestra NOW" Orchestral Studies Training Institute, please contact Tom Olcott at the Local 802 Concert Office at (212) 245-4802, ext. 105 or click here.

COMPOSERS: Apply for $2,500 and six months of free workspace!

Exploring the Metropolis announces that applications are now available for the seventh round of the EtM Con Edison Composers' Residency.

Deadline: June 1, 2015.

This annual residency is open to New York City composers. Five composers, chosen by a panel of music professionals, will receive a stipend of $2,500 and six months of free suitable workspace in a cultural or community facility. Each composer must present or conduct a public program in cooperation with the host facility.

For more information, application and guidelines, click here.

MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR LOCAL 802 MEMBERS

Help us celebrate the lives of our members. There are memorial services planned in the coming weeks for Rick Chamberlain and Lew Soloff. Please see below for info.

A memorial service for Rick Chamberlain (1952-2015) will be held on Friday, May 29 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, Penn.

A memorial service for Lou Soloff (1944-2015) will be held on Monday, June 8 at 7 p.m. at the Manhattan School of Music. For more details, click here.

THE MAY ISSUE OF ALLEGRO IS ONLINE NOW

Sell your instrument with an Allegro classified ad! Click here.

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

WATCH OUT FOR AUDITIONS ON BROADWAY!

It has come to the attention of the Theatre Department that some Broadway musicians and substitute musicians are being asked to audition for theatrical productions on Broadway. Auditions are not allowed for Broadway shows without the full cooperation and notification of the Local 802 Executive Board. If you are asked to audition for any position on a Broadway show, contact the union immediately. Auditions have only been allowed in the past under very special circumstances after approval of the Local 802 Executive Board and only if the appropriate wages, including pension and health benefit contributions, are made to the musicians involved. Please let us know immediately if you are asked to audition on Broadway. Your anonymity and confidence will always be respected and ensured. Call (212) 245-4802 and ask for the president's office or the Theatre Department.

NOTICE: ALL LS-1 CONTRACTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 15 , 2015 for the SEPT. 1, 2015 benefit period.

Only teaching (private and institutional) and/or solo, live engagements performed between Jan. 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015 can be reported on the LS-1 (i.e. no theater or electronic media work). Please call to discuss any other exceptions.

If there are multiple employers and/or students, a separate LS-1 contract must be submitted for each one.
Health contributions CANNOT EXCEED 15 percent of the gross wages.
Work dues must be included at the time of submission.
You must be a member in good standing (i.e. all past due work dues and membership dues must be up to date).
Proof of engagement must be included - copies of contracts, invoices, pay stubs/vouchers, spreadsheets of private students, etc.
No benefits will be processed unless all these criteria are met.

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Bettina Covo at (212) 245-4802, ext. 152 or click here. All checks and completed paperwork should be sent to Bettina Covo, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10036.

ARE YOU A BANDLEADER WHO HATES PAPERWORK? LET US DO IT FOR YOU!

Are you a bandleader who hates

paperwork? Let us do it for you!

LEGIT 802 is Local 802's payroll service! Let's say you get called to play a wedding or a restaurant gig. When it comes time to pay

your musicians, you simply write one check to us. Then we handle

everything else: mailing the checks to the musicians, withholding

taxes, mailing payments to the state and the feds, taking care of

unemployment and workers' comp payments and paying the union

benefits and work dues. It's a complete one-stop service that's fast and efficient. If you would like to learn more, please contact Ronnie Gent at (212) 245-4802, ext. 175, or 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.

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.

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!

CAN MUSICIANS GET UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?

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.

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.