Tag Archives: recent news

Recent News

Violinist Earns Recognition for Work with Underprivileged

Vijay Gupta, member of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA), was recently named a MacArthur Fellow. His work with the homeless and under-resourced communities has inspired musicians all over the Los Angeles area.

Gupta is currently a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and is the Mark Houston Dalzell and James Dao-Dalzell First Violin Chair. He is also a member of the faculty at the Longy School of Music of the Bard College Masters of Arts in Teaching Program and the Colburn School.

In 2011, he co-founded Street Symphony, a not-for-profit organization designed to give a musical experience to those living in underprivileged communities. The group, composed of nearly 80 musicians, provides free monthly performances at shelters, county jails, and treatment and transition facilities. Street Symphony also holds workshops to provide music education opportunities to members of these communities. The Fellows Program, a program through Street Symphony, takes talented individuals from Skid Row and pairs them with budding artists from local universities for a year-long educational experience.

Gupta’s goal is to demonstrate the importance music has in bringing people together, regardless of social status and economic background. He is dedicated to providing musical experiences and opportunities to those who, without his help, may never have the chance.

Recent News

Composer Honored for Celebrating Diversity

Tania León, member of Local 802 (New York, NY), was recently elected to the board of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the Visual Arts and Performing Arts – Criticism and Practice category. She was inducted just last week on October 5th in Cambridge, MA.

León came to the United States from Cuba in 1967, and has been making a lasting impact on musicians and the realm of Latin American music ever since. The way in which she combines elements of gospel, jazz, African, and Cuban elements gives her a style all her own.

In 1969, León became the first musical director of Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she established the music department, music school, and orchestra. Nine years later she launched the Brooklyn Philharmonic Community Concert Series, and in 1994 León co-founded the American Composers Orchestra Sonidos de las Americas Festivals as the Latin American Music Advisor. Hoping to encourage composers of all ethnicities, in 2010 she founded the nonprofit Composers Now, an organization dedicated to empower all composers of all ethnic backgrounds.

Currently, León is on the executive board for In The States and the Fromm Music Foundation in Harvard. Some of her most recent accomplishments include the Mad Women Festival Award in Music, which she received in Madrid, Spain in 2017 and the 2018 USA Artist Fellowship.

To read all about Tania León and her life as a composer, conductor, and educator, please check out her cover story from February, 2018 here: https://internationalmusician.org/tania-leon/ or visit her website: http://www.tanialeon.com/.

Recent News

Members of Local 257 Honored at IBMA Awards

On September 28, 2018, the 29th annual International Bluegrass Music Association awards were held in Raleigh, North Carolina. Many groups and individuals were recognized that evening, including many members of Local 257 (Nashville, TN).

The Travelin’ McCourys, a bluegrass band comprised of Local 257 (Nashville, TN) members Ronnie McCoury, Rob McCoury, Jason Carter, Alan Bartram, and Cody Kilby, received the “Instrumental Group of the Year” award, marking their first win as a group. Earlier this year, The Travelin’ McCourys released their debut self-titled record.

Alison Brown, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) member collaborated on the album Swept Away which one the award for “Recorded Event of the Year.” Local 257 (Nashville, TN) member Justin Moses also received an award for “Dobro Player of the Year,” marking his first win in this category.

Recent News

Ricky Skaggs Inducted into Bluegrass HoF

On September 27, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) member Ricky Skaggs was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame during the International Bluegrass Music Awards in Raleigh, North Carolina. Fellow Local 257 member Marty Stuart had the honor of inducting Skaggs.

“He’s a radical revisionist, he’s a traditionalist, he’s a keeper of the flame, he’s an innovator, he’s always keeping his music moving forward, he’s invited so many people into the world of country and bluegrass music, he has become a universal touchstone to our kind of music,” says Stuart. “Tonight, it’s my honor to ask Ricky Skaggs to come up here and receive bluegrass music’s most coveted award. I induct Ricky Skaggs, gladly, into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.”

“I appreciate this award so much,” said Skaggs. “This means so much to me because it’s the music of my youth. It’s the foundation of everything I’ve ever recorded. I want to thank the IBMA and all those who voted for me.” Skaggs will also be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October.

After induction, the Hall of Fame plaques are installed in the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky. An Unveiling Ceremony takes place at the museum on Opening Day of the museum’s ROMP festival. Thereafter, the plaques are on permanent exhibit.

The brand new Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum facility will celebrate its grand opening October 18-20.

Recent News

Tino Gagliardi Honored by City & State

tino gagliardi
In September, AFM IEB Member and Local 802 (New York City) President
Tino Gagliardi (far left) was honored as one of the 50 most powerful leaders
in New York’s labor community.

In September, AFM International Executive Board Member and Local 802 (New York City) President Tino Gagliardi was honored by City & State as one of the 50 most powerful leaders in New York’s labor community. He, along with 50 other labor leaders, was honored at a September 6 reception at Battery Gardens.

Gagliardi was also profiled in a special commemorative magazine, which read in part: “The music industry is vital to New York City’s identity—and its economy—but many artists have been forced to leave in recent years as income from music industry jobs has fallen while the cost of living has steadily risen. Tino Gagliardi has advocated for the ability of musicians to make a fair living and protected live performance and recording industry standards. Local 802 has 7,500 members, many of whom perform on Broadway, work on late night television, or at a variety of clubs and venues across New York City.”

Recent News

New AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Fund COO

The AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund is pleased to announce the appointment of Sidney Kibodeaux White to the role of chief operating officer. In this role at the fund, she will oversee all aspects of the operations team, which includes participant services, sound recording, audiovisual/symphonic, the Sound Recordings Distribution Fund, applications development, public relations, and marketing.

White comes to the fund with extensive music industry and leadership experience. Prior to joining the fund, she held the position of interim national director of music at SAG-AFTRA. In varying roles over her more than 30-year career at SAG-AFTRA, she has dedicated herself to serving singers and recording artists to ensure they receive fair compensation for their work and protection for their livelihoods, both throughout their careers and long into retirement.

She has a deep appreciation and respect for both the participants served and the staff who work tirelessly to achieve the fund’s mission. Her skills will provide insight and clear guidance for developing an efficient and effective team.

Recent News

Music Modernization Act Passed in Senate

In April of this year, the Music Modernization Act (MMA) passed unanimously in the House and on September 19, it passed unanimously in the Senate. The bill was renamed the Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act, honoring Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), a composer himself and strong advocate for the MMA.

The Music Modernization Act is the first major piece of copyright music licensing legislation to move through Congress in the past 30 years.

The goal of the bill is to revise copyright protection for music creators and musicians in a digitally growing world.

There are three components to the bill:

  • Musical Works Modernization Act: establishes a public database for artists and composers to ensure rights holders are paid appropriately for streamed music
  • AMP Act: gives music producers and engineers the right to collect future digital royalties on their sound recordings
  • Compensating Legacy Artists for their Songs, Service, and Important Contributions to Society (CLASSICS Act): Establishes royalty payments for legacy artists that created works performed before 1972

Only two more steps are to be taken to make the Music Modernization Act law. It will go to the House for approval of the new version of the bill and then to the President for a final decision.

Recent News

Verizon Employees Approve New Four-Year Deal

Approximately 34,000 Verizon employees in the northeast and mid-Atlantic region, represented by the Communications Workers of America, ratified a four-year extension of their labor contract well in advance of the current contract’s August 2019 expiration date. They will see an 11.2% increase in wages over the term of the contract that also includes better retirement benefits. Verizon employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) were expected to complete ratification before the end of August.

Recent News

Some UPS Employees Do Not Support Tentative Contract

According to Stephen Piercey, communications director for Teamsters Local 89 in Louisville, their leadership and the leaders of several local unions are opposed to the proposed five-year UPS labor contract covering 260,000 UPS employees. The statement comes after the leaders of 179 local unions voted “overwhelmingly” to move forward. The opposition is rooted in the starting wages and the creation of a new tier of package-car drivers who would work weekends and earn less per hour than current drivers. Though the contract calls for wages to reach $15 per hour over the life of the contract, Piercey says the rate should immediately move to $15. UPS wants to alleviate mandatory overtime and create more full-time jobs by creating “combination” workers who would deliver packages part of the week and work “inside” jobs. The pay for this new type of worker would top out at $30 an hour, compared to $36 for a traditional full-time driver.

Recent News

Philadelphia Orchestra Adds Works by Female Composers

In response to criticism for announcing a 2018-2019 season devoid of a single work by a female composer, The Philadelphia Orchestra announced a revised season schedule to include two works by female composers, plus a few additional female guest artists. In November, the orchestra will give the US premiere of Perspectives by Canadian composer Stacey Brown and in June, it will perform Masquerade by English composer Anna Clyne.