Bob Coleman’s Legacy Big Band and guests Tom Heitman, Vocalist, and Susan Slaughter, Trumpet, are presenting the music of Frank Sinatra at the Sheldon Concert Hall. The date is Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 2:00 PM.

For tickets, call 314-534-1111 or 800-293-5949.

They are now trying to locate any women musicians who suffered losses as a result of the Joplin tornado last spring. If you are one, or know of one, please call the MASL office at 314-781-6612. We’ll pass your information on to the New Orleans local of the AFM.

Thanks!

Pictures from the banquet provided by
James R. Kyle
(314) 406-8964 | JK_Photo@hotmail.com

Mr. Kyle took pictures for Diversity Award winner Darwyn Apple.
He has agreed to let MASL use them.

This year, we recognize these members:

Owen Miller Award Recipients
Charles Block, Deberah Haferkamp and Jerry Bolen

George Smith Diversity Award Recipient
Darwyn Apple

Mell Bay Award
Verna Casserly

Below is a message from Bruce Ridge, ICSOM Chair regarding the Louisville Orchestra management’s attempt to replace the current musicians of the Louisville Orchestra.   This action by the Louisville Orchestra is deplorable.  Please let your students know that they should not even consider auditioning for this orchestra as it undercuts the AFM musicians who currently hold these positions.  This is a teachable moment for educating your students about union values.  Please take this opportunity to do so.

In solidarity,

Jay Blumenthal, Director
Symphonic Services Division
American Federation of Musicians

__________________________________________________________

TO: the musicians of ICSOM, ROPA, and OCSM

FROM: Bruce Ridge, ICSOM Chairman

SUBJECT: URGENT- DO NOT ACCEPT WORK FROM THE LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA, INC.

Dear friends and colleagues,

SPREAD THE WORD:

As we all know, the musicians of the Louisville Orchestra have been engaged in a lengthy negotiation with their management. They have repeatedly been threatened by their board with being replaced by other musicians. And now, after a final ultimatum, the Louisville Orchestra, Inc. has begun recruiting replacement musicians.

DO NOT ACCEPT WORK FROM THE LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA, INC.

Both the Louisville Orchestra, Inc. and the Kentucky Opera have been placed on the American Federation of Musicians’ (AFM) International Unfair List, and accepting work from these two groups could generate fines and penalties.

But it is not just the Unfair List that should deter anyone from accepting this work–the fact is that it would simply be wrong to do so.

Any musician accepting such work would not be serving the cause of art in America, or serving their career and family. Musicians accepting work as replacements would be taking food out of the mouths of fellow musicians, as well as depriving them and their children of health insurance.

The members of ICSOM, ROPA, and OCSM comprise a great number of orchestral musicians in North America, and we have thousands of students. Please educate your students, and the leaders at your music schools, of the importance of this effort. If the egregious and despicable actions of Louisville Orchestra CEO Rob Birman, and Board Chair Chuck Maisch were to succeed, then no orchestra in North America would be safe from such attacks. Any musician accepting such work would be building a career on quick sand.

Please post this message in your studios, and please send it to your students everywhere, as well as the colleagues in your orchestra who might not be subscribed to the ICSOM, ROPA, or OCSM news lists. Post it backstage at work. Post it on your Facebook pages. Spread the message everywhere that the musicians of ICSOM, ROPA, and OCSM will always stand together

The symphonic musicians of North America perform as a united network of friends. It is crucial that we stand together on this issue, not only for the musicians of Louisville, but for the future of musicians everywhere.

In solidarity,
Bruce Ridge
ICSOM Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2011

AFM Places Louisville Orchestra on Unfair List

The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has placed the Louisville Orchestra on its “Unfair List,” following the orchestra’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy without a collective bargaining agreement. At an August 15 court hearing, Judge David Stosberg approved the orchestra’s reorganization plan, effectively bringing it out of bankruptcy. The AFM had opposed the plan, citing the fact that it is not viable without employed musicians.

Louisville Orchestra musicians had rejected management’s last contract offer, which was presented as an ultimatum. The offer would have employed some musicians for 30 weeks per year, while employing others for only 10 or 20 weeks per year. Since proposing the tiered arrangement, management has been unwilling to negotiate.

Following the August 15 hearing, Louisville Orchestra Executive Director Robert Birman stated that the orchestra would work toward a contract with its current musicians, who are AFM members, but that it may also pursue agreements with non-AFM musicians.

“The Louisville Orchestra’s management is mistaken to believe that a pick-up ensemble would be a satisfactory replacement for the world-class symphony orchestra that patrons have come to expect in Louisville,” says AFM President Ray Hair. “The AFM will continue to fight on behalf of its members to keep the orchestra intact and to secure a fair contract.”

AFM members who render musical services for employers placed on the “Unfair List” are subject to penalty under AFM bylaws.

Contact: Honore Stockley
(315) 422-4488 ext. 104
honore@bentley-hall.com

For more information, visit the Web site at www.afm.org.

The Owen Miller award recognizes the recipient’s many years of loyalty, dedication, fellowship and fairness towards Local 2-197 and its members, as well as for action and deed by which the stature of all musicians everywhere is enhanced.

The 2011 recipients of The Owen Miller Award are:

James Becker

Ann Dolan

Jan Parkes

The George Smith Diversity award recognizes those members who have demonstrated leadership in strengthening relationships among the many diverse members of Local 2-197.

The 2011 recipient of The George Smith Diversity Award is:

Jeter Thompson

The Mel Bay award is awarded to a recently-deceased member in recognition of their lifetime of service to Local 2-197 and musicians everywhere.

In 2011 The Mel Bay Award recognizes:

Fred Julius

These members will be honored at the 2011 MASL Awards Dinner Sunday November 13, 2011, starting at 11:00 a.m. This year’s edition will be held at Lombardo’s Trattoria west of Union Station, at 201 South 20th.

Cocktails will be at 11:00 a.m., followed by the luncheon at 11:30 a.m. The awards ceremony itself should start around 12:30 p.m. Cost per guest is $25.00, and reservations should be made in advance by contacting President Smolik at the union hall.

The menu will include a House Salad, Chicken Marsala, Roast Beef, Baked Cavatelli, Garlic Mashed Potatos, and Italian Green Beans, followed by dessert.

Each guest will receive one ticket which is good for one cocktail. Any additional alcoholic beverages will be charged to each individual guest. Parking in the garage just west of the restaurant will be free with a validation code.

Hourly or salaried, if someone else decides what you are paid, Right To Work means you work for less.

Contact your Missouri State Legislator now and tell them that Right to Work is wrong for Missouri.

Enjoy great energy drinks. Support the MASL and made-in-the-USA Time Out!