Tag Archives: recent news

International Musician, Recent News

Eminem Wins $600,000 in New Zealand Copyright Case

In a case hugely significant for global copyright infringements, New Zealand’s high court ruled that their National party infringed on Eminem’s song “Lose Yourself.” The rapper’s publisher was awarded NZ $600,000 (about $414,000 US). In September 2014 they used a version on the tune, a track titled “Eminem Esque,” in an election campaign advertisement. The court’s ruling stated that “Eminem Esque” had substantially copied “Lose Yourself” and that there were minimal differences between the works. The National party advertisement in question was played 186 times over an 11-day period of time.

“This is a warning to soundalike music producers and their clients everywhere,” says Adam Simpson, director of Simpsons solicitors, which acted for Eminem’s music company. Eminem was never approached for permission to use his work.

International Musician, Recent News

New Silkroad Leadership Announced

Twenty years after founding the arts orPganization Silkroad, Yo-Yo Ma of Local 802 (New York City) is passing the baton to three of his collaborators. “I am thrilled to hand over artistic direction of Silkroad to Jeffrey Beecher [of Local 149 (Toronto, ON)], Nicholas Cords [of Local 802], and Shane Shanahan [of Local 802], three extraordinary colleagues who have taught me so much about collaboration, music, and friendship,” Ma says in a written statement.

“Together with Executive Director Eduardo A. Braniff, these inaugural co-artistic directors will shape the next chapter of Silkroad, bringing the passion and curiosity that we have developed to new communities and inspiring radical cultural collaboration that is essential to creating a better world.”

The new directors have pledged a commitment to diversity and inclusion across their board, staff, and ensemble, as well as among collaborators and in its audiences. “It is a commitment rooted in the belief that to ensure Silkroad’s continued impact on the world’s stages, in classrooms, and in our communities, we must engage an ever-broader coalition of voices, one that represents the many perspectives that shape our world,” the directors said in a statement.

They announced a series of US-based residencies for the next year and promised to unveil an “ambitious array” of new commissions “that frame a wide range of traditions, human experiences, and social issues.”

International Musician, Recent News

British Report Says Career Teaching Music Is Becoming Unviable

A new report shows that British music teachers are suffering from low play and less job security than ever before. The British Musicians’ Union (MU), the authors of the report, warns that job dissatisfaction and stress are on the rise due to widespread lack of financial support.

The current music education provision in England provides for “peripatetic” music teachers in schools, who travel from location to location to teach children to play instruments. They are frequently either self-employed or have contracts that provide no regular work and sometimes clauses that restrict them from working elsewhere. They may even be charged for the use of teaching rooms. The MU recommends protecting the future of music in Britain by providing the teachers with fit-for-purpose template contracts.

International Musician, Recent News

Opera Inspired by Little Rock Nine

Sixty years to the day after nine African-American teenagers integrated Little Rock High School protected by the 101st Airborne Division, the eight surviving former students, President Bill Clinton, and other dignitaries gathered at Central High School. After a day of commemorations and sharing memories, an announcement was made that the story of the Little Rock Nine is being turned into an opera by composer Tania León, a member of Local 802 (New York City), and librettist Thulani Davis.

León told The New York Times that hearing their stories was invaluable. “It’s important to see them,” she says. “To hear their syntax, to feel their personalities.” Born and raised in Cuba, since coming to New York City in 1967, León has become an important figure in American music.

International Musician, Recent News

Grand Ole Opry Musicians Covered Under New AFM Contract

Musicians performing at the Grand Ole Opry voted to approve a new four-year contract that includes progressive wage increases in each of its years. Musicians also won higher health and welfare payments and increased pension contributions. Aside from the house band, the new contract also covers the eight or more guest musicians who perform at each of the Opry shows. Hundreds of freelance musicians will benefit as well.

“The ‘show that made country music famous’ started as a humble radio broadcast almost a century ago, but is now viewed and listened to by millions on traditional radio, satellite radio, and the web,” says AFM President Ray Hair. “That’s why musicians fought for and won new satellite radio payments and a percent of the Opry’s receipts for streamed content.”

International Musician, Recent News

US Postal Service Aids Puerto Ricans

In the weeks following Hurricane Maria’s devastation of Puerto Rico, the most reliable system of communication was the US Postal Service.

Within three weeks, 99 out of 128 post offices were delivering mail, some of them operating out of make-shift tents. Aside from delivering mail to 3.4 million people, they were providing the valuable service of informing the Federal Emergency Management Agency about sick and elderly residents in remote areas that needed medical attention.

International Musician, Recent News

Second Dudamel Tour Canceled

The Venezuelan government has now cancelled two Gustavo Dudamel led tours after the Venezuelan conductor spoke out against the harsh government crackdowns this past summer.

Last month, the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela tour to the US was also canceled. In October, just one week before the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela was to embark on an Asian tour, government officials of President Nicolás Maduro canceled it.

In a statement, Dudamel called on the orchestra players to, “remain strong and proud.” Dudamel is music director for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, members of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA).

International Musician, Recent News

EU Youth Orchestra Makes Brexit

Brexit has forced the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO), that was founded back in 1976, to relocate from the UK to Italy.

In October, EUYO accepted an offer from the Italian culture ministry to be based in two Italian cities: Ferrara and Rome. EUYO will have spring and autumn residencies at Teatro Abbado in Ferrara.

The orchestra, made up of youth aged 17 to 24, has about 120 players each year. There are currently 13 British players who will soon be affected by this relocation and become ineligible to play.

Additionally, the European Union Baroque Orchestra has already relocated from Oxfordshire to Antwerp.

International Musician, Recent News

Employer Fined Following Workplace Death

Contractor Mark Welty of North Country Services was fined $280,000, plus $12,000 in penalties to the Alaska Division of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Guaranty Fund and a $2,000 fine from the Municipality of Anchorage after employee Nicholson Tinker was killed on the job.

Welty unlawfully classified Tinker as an independent contractor in an attempt to avoid the responsibility of providing a safe and healthful work environment, along with basic employee injury and death benefits.

Tinker was killed when a cinderblock wall collapsed on him during a demolition. Welty acted with plain indifference towards the health and safety of his employees—lack of proper structural assessment, inadequate bracing and shoring for the wall, and lack of safety training for the employees.

“I hope this sends a clear message. When employers like Mark Welty endanger their workers and unlawfully classify them as independent contractors, our department will seek the strongest penalties possible,” says Alaska Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas.

International Musician, Recent News

Florida Unions Call for Living Wage

Amid calls for a $15 minimum wage, Florida will raise its minimum just 15 cents, to $8.25 in January. Meanwhile Target pledged to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2020. Disney World’s largest union organization, the Services Trades Council Union, has asked for “acceleration toward a living wage for all workers.” About 8,000 of the union’s members are making $10 an hour. All three Florida Democratic candidates for governor support raising minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Meanwhile, national movements to raise minimum wage to $15 have stalled following victories in Seattle, San Francisco, and other major cities.