What a creative bunch the musicians are in our union (American Federation of Musicians Local 660) and the mob they hang with --not just musically, but in general!
Take a moment to consider the array of initiatives AFM660 musicians have created to make StateCollege something really weird --a high quality music destination: From “sustainable music venues”to “flash mobs,”AFM660 is working to improve the music scene for all musicians, not just members, and for clubs and audiences, too.
Sustainable Music Venues – AFM 660 has certified bars and venues that pay musicians enoughto stay around and that give them written contracts so there aren’t any late night arguments. You’ll find a range of venues so certified by AFM 660, from the Autoport Lounge throughPenn State’s Music at Penn’s Woods series and many venues in between. Patronize them, because they care about music and musicians in town! See the full list on the web site at afm660.org.
“Listen to the Music”parties - at local bars filling the need of musicians to meet and play with other musicians and to expand their song lists.
Flash mobs! - Yes, once a month we designate a band and a venue and assemble there at a certain time and do crazy things. I guess it’s a return to the old days, when union members were mobsters!
“More music, less alcohol, please!” - The music union has an important role in the present broader community effort to de-emphasize State College as a drinking destination –re-emphasize it as a music destination! Alcohol sales have huge external costs including police, hospital and property damage. Bars should either pitch in to fund these costs or redirect their focus from alcohol sales to the sale of high quality music which attracts people willing to pay a cover charge that will make everyone money without relying so much on alcohol sales and the related damages.
“Keep State College Weird” - A “musician’s night off” party for everyone in the music scene including musicians and the people they work with and around (like bartenders), on the last Monday in August. Difficult to explain what this is about, but it’s a blast! OK, so maybe it should be “To Get State College Weird.” That’s if State College isn’t nearly weird enough already for you.
In summary: AFM 660 is making the music scene better for everybody, successful unaligned musicians included. We want to raise the level of pay and play for the sake of both musicians and audiences. We expect the musicians who now are the top of the local scene to stay there, but they and everyone else will be paid better and there will be less damage and more pleasure for audiences and the community that hosts them.
If you like this idea, by all means support AFM 660 by joining as a musician (easily done by going to afm660.org), or if you’re not a musician, by supporting us in any other way you can think of, making you one of the creative ones!
Chris Lee, President AFM 660
For more info or to comment, feel free to contact Chris Lee at chris@boalmuseum.com or (814)466-9266
Leadership Change for AFM
Ray Hair is new AFM President; Big Turnover in IEB
At the 98th Convention of the American Federation of Musicians, delegates elected an almost entirely new administration, ousting President Tom Lee and Vice-President Harold Bradley in favor of new President Ray Hair and Vice-President Bruce Fife.
Hair is a 21-year member of the International Executive Board, and has been President of Local 72-147 in Dallas TX, since 1983. As a drummer, he has played countless freelance, recording, club, and traveling gigs; he's also been an instructor at North Texas State University. As President of the Dallas-Ft. Worth local, he negotiates the contracts for 14 area symphony orchestras and other employers of musicians throughout north Texas and southern Oklahoma.
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Ray Hair gives his acceptance speech at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas
Also elected were Bruce Fife, President of Local 99, Portland, OR, as Vice-President. In addition to overseeing contracts for several Oregon orchestras, Fife also helped institute a program similar to Local 660's Sustainable Music Venue called Fair Trade Music.
Sam Folio retained his position as International Secretary-Treasurer, as did Bill Skolnik as Vice-President from Canada. Joe Parente is the only remaining member of the International Executive Board.
New to the IEB are Vince Trombetta (Local 47), Tino Gagliardi (Local 802), Dave Pomeroy (Local 257), and Tina Morrison (Local 105). More information about the Convention can be found in July's edition of our newsletter.
Central PA Musicians Association Awards
Olin Butt Scholarships to Students
The Central Pennsylvania Musicians Association presented scholarship grants to student musicians at five Centre County school districts at the recent Centre County Band and Choir Festival.
Before a packed audience in the Penns Valley High School auditorium on March 19, 2010, Scholarship Chairman John Kovalchik presented each student with the Olin F. Butt Music Achievement Grant of one hundred dollars each toward their personal music instruction.
Front row, L-R: Danielle Kephart from Philipsburg-Osceola, Jessica Brown from Bellefonte,
and Mikayla Castellano from Penns Valley
Back row, L-R: Teddy Smith from Mt. Nittany Middle School, Luke Besong from Bald Eagle,
and Scholarship Chairman John Kovalchik
Christopher Lee, President of the Central PA Musicians Associaion, has said that "Our goal is to make central Pennsylvania a destination for music audiences and this support for aspiring young musicians is one way to do that. We appreciate the music teachers in the five school districts bringing these gifted musicians to our attention. Teachers play an important role in supporting the future of music in Centre County."
The late Olin Butt was a renowned music teacher and band leader and, as owner of the Music Mart in Bellefonte and State College, provided musical instruments and supplies to hundreds and thousands of student musicians from 1948 to 1975.
The five Centre County school district awardees were: Jessica Brown from Bellefonte, Danielle Kephart from Philipsburg-Osceola, Luke Besong from Bald Eagle, Teddy Smith from State College and Mikayla Castellano from Penns Valley.
Local 660 Programs Support Music and Grow Audiences
The Central Pennsylvania Musicians Association, aka AFM 660, has assembled a program to support music and grow audiences. Elements include:
1) Sustainable Music Venues program: a list of AFM 660-designated bars and other venues who have agreed with AFM 660 to pay all musicians at least the per-person minimum wage established by AFM 660 and to offer written contracts to all musicians. No more last-minute cancellations! (See button on left)
2) "Listen to the Music" jam sessions to bring musicians of all ages and levels together to connect for success and just for fun.
3) An AFM 660 newsletter with news and interviews about the local music scene. Join the story of the music scene as it evolves.
4) Legal Representation: State College lawyer Phil Masorti has agreed to provide pro-bono legal services for member-musicians.
5) A new Code of Ethics - how professional musicians behave. (See button on left).
6) A new Wage Scale - the minimum per-person pay for gigs -- based on a market survey (See "Documents" button on left)
