Our meeting with the Downtown Denver Partnership
By Pete Vriesenga

After being put off for twelve months we finally scheduled a meeting with the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) which represents billions of dollars in big business/member assets. DDP President & CEO Tamara Door never responded personally to my 5/1/13 email, and I expect she has more important things to do and people to meet. I did however receive a response from DDP’s Event Operations Manger Lorinn Rhodes. DMA Vice President Thomas Blomster and I were now ready to begin our quest to see that professional musicians who perform for Make Music Denver are paid … something.

With our long-awaited meeting now only moments away, we stepped into the elevator from the lobby of the magnificent Paramount Theater Building at 16th and Glenarm. Although relieved to be out of the rain, we waited in anticipation, not knowing what lies ahead. Would these prominent business leaders actually listen to our arguments and agree to pay “something” to the musicians? Or, would our hopes be quickly dashed by Wall Street tycoons looking to experience their first labor/management negotiation, motivated by the sport of conquest. Seizing on a moment of confidence, Thomas and I looked to each other reassuringly … ‘we’re on a Mission from God!’
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To: Tamara Door, President & CEO, Downtown Denver Partnership
From: Pete Vriesenga, President, Denver Musicians Association
Re: Make Music Denver, 2013

Dear Ms. Door,

The Denver Musicians Association (AFM, AFL-CIO) represents 800 professional musicians in the region, from Colorado’s largest performing organizations to those who perform in restaurants, weddings and at special events. Professional musicians play a very large role in sustaining a culture of entertainment and resulting economic benefit to Downtown Denver and surrounding communities.

Last year at this time I received an email from Stephanie Davidowitz offering to meet to consider how to involve the DMA in Make Music Denver. My April 28 reply applauded DDP for encouraging community members and amateur musicians to be a part of your Festival. I also offered a simple and gracious reminder that professional musicians should be fairly compensated for their services.

Nothing ever came from that effort and it’s now confirmed that DDP is once again seeking professional musicians on the condition that they will perform for free. The only other change I note is that I have been removed from your mailing list.

We will continue to reach out to you with the hope of turning Make Music Denver into proud, community event that no longer exploits professional talents. Until such time we shall educate and warn our membership of the damage that DDP is inflicting on our industry.

Sincerely,

Pete Vriesenga, DMA President
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The 19th Annual Summer Course in the Alexander Technique at the University of Colorado at Boulder will be held July 8-12, 9:00 to noon daily. A one day Intensive will be held July 13, 1-5:00 pm. The 2012 faculty includes Ed Bilanchone, Amy Likar, and DMA member James Brody. Early registration by DMA members will result in a 15% reduction in tuition.
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DENVER, CO – January 31, 2013 – The Colorado Symphony announced today the resignation of President & CEO Gene Sobczak. “On behalf of the board of trustees, musicians and administration, we express our appreciation to Gene for his service to the organization,” state Jerome H. Kern and Mary Rossick Kern, co-chairs of the Colorado Symphony Association.

“It has been an honor to work with the orchestra during this time of institutional growth and evolution,” states Sobczak. “As a community member, I will remain steadfast in my support and admiration for one of our state’s greatest cultural assets.” Sobczak leaves the Colorado Symphony to develop an independent practice of consultancy in the arts, a capacity in which he will be available to the orchestra, as needed. Mr. Kern will serve as CEO and continue as co-chair of the association.

For information about the Colorado Symphony, visit www.coloradosymphony.org

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James U. Carroll is celebrating his forty-first year as Principal Bass of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO). In September 2012 he will be retiring as Principal Bassist and remain in the Bass Section of the CSO. He joined the CSO in 1971 after studying and graduating from the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, the Julliard School of Music and the Hartt School of Music on scholarships. He studied with many renowned bassists including Fred Zimmerman of the New York Philharmonic and Julliard Professor. He also won a full scholarship to the National Training Orchestra while he was a student and also to the Aspen School of Music.
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Denver, CO June 27, 2012 – A vigil will be held for the officer at 5 p.m. before the already scheduled concert on Sunday. In order to show our support, local jazz legend Purnell Steen (of Purnell Steen and Le Jazz Machine) is encouraging all musicians to come out in solidarity for Officer Hollis.

“This was a tragic event and a beautiful young, single mother and a valuable member of the Denver Police Department lost her life,” Public Safety Manager Alex Martinez said.

We should not let this tragic shooting tarnish the hard work and dedication of so many over the years. “We will put our arms around this family and this child, and make sure they know there is a city that absolutely loves them,” – Mayor Hancock

Come stand in harmony with musical artists, community leaders, and music lovers, Sunday July 1, 2012 at the City Park Jazz Festival.

“This is a great event,” Hancock said. “By no certain terms will we allow for a few to tarnish a special event in this city that occurs every year.”
Donations

When: April 22nd thru April 28th
Where: From Grant east to York Street on Colfax (Route 40)
Time: Varies (depending on the event)
Why: To introduce YOU to the many entertainment opportunities in the area
Cost: Depends on the venue
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Starting with Sunday, April 22nd, the Colfax Business Improvement District (“CBID”) will be presenting a week-long event in the area of 14th to 16th, especially focusing on the Route 40/Colfax businesses. Opening with the Root 40 Music Expo at The Filmore, Colfax and Clarkson, many locally-owned music-related businesses will showcase their products, listening sessions, seminars, and lots and lots of places for musicians/bands to play! You won’t want to miss out on this event – whether as a performer or as a “Patron of the Arts”!

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Denver celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Denver Coliseum on January 10, 2012, marking six decades of an extraordinary variety of entertainment and history. Owned by the people of the City and County of Denver, the Coliseum is an iconic structure in our ever-changing city.

The Colorado Symphony Board of Trustees announced today that it has appointed Gene Sobczak as its new President & CEO. In addition, six new trustees have been elected to the board.

Gene Sobczak currently serves as Executive Director of the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and has held the position since 2007. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President for the Colorado Symphony from 2002-2007. While at the Arvada Center, Sobczak has increased market recognition, centralized business operations, and developed successful programming, sales and marketing strategies. At the Colorado Symphony, he was instrumental in building and growing online ticket sales, plus generated an overall 47% increase in ticket sales. Sobczak serves on the Arts for Colorado Board of Trustees and the Colorado Task Force for Arts Education in Workforce Development, among other board positions.

The Denver Municipal Band
In association with
Our Musical Heritage
Presents A JAZZ WORKSHOP

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 – 11:00 A.M.
The Denver Musicians Association
1165 Delaware St.
ADMISSION FREE
Players of all levels are welcome

Trumpeter Shane Endsley and Saxophonist Ben Wendel, guest artists.
Download Flyer

The musicians of your Colorado Symphony Orchestra invite you to get involved! Buy tickets to this weekend’s AWESOME CoSO concerts. Do your part to celebrate Colorado’s world class symphony orchestra. Don’t wait! Make your weekend plans more exciting now!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!! After you’ve purchased tickets, made a text donation, and sent this message to your personal email contacts, be sure to write about it here on the event wall and send an email to altocleferrific@gmail.com to be entered in our special reward drawing. One lucky randomly selected CoSO supporter will win a live chamber music concert by up to 5 musicians in your home or for the charitable organization of your choice.

Purchase tickets to any or all of the three performances here:

Friday, 11/4 at 7:30pm

Saturday, 11/5 at 7:30pm

Sunday, 11/6 at 2:30pm

Get tickets for you and your family.

-Musicians of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra

The Cherry Creek Chorale has engaged the Boulder Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for concerts scheduled on October 14, 2011 and May 18, 2012. Sadly, freelance musicians are again learning the hard way that they cannot possibly compete against two publicly-funded organizations that choose to pool their resources in this manner. Under the baton of Maestro Devin Hughes, the Boulder Symphony has hit the ground running by undermining the local industry with their SCFD-funded ‘pay-to-play’ business model.

A model for innovation that doesn’t even “qualify” for SCFD funding
By Pete Vriesenga

In its three years of operation, the Colorado Chamber Orchestra (CCO) has shown an unprecedented 300% growth in budget. CCO regularly brings professional musicians into the schools through its own innovative school program. In collaboration with Denver’s Trinity United Methodist Church, the CCO helped fund a downtown soup kitchen for the homeless without taking one dime in overhead. CCO performs in churches and schools throughout the metro area and regularly premiers new works by local composers. Orchestra members are compensated under a collective bargaining agreement with the DMA and receive a pension contribution paid by CCO.

The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) collects $40 million annually in tax revenue from seven metro-Denver counties and funds over 350 organizations. Incredibly, SCFD has turned CCO away and won’t even accept CCO’s application.
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There is still time for you or your students to apply for the 2010 Rafael Mendez Brass Institute (featuring the SUMMIT BRASS!), held at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music this August 1-7, 2010. Registration closes on May 31st and positions are rapidly filling. Substantial scholarships are available for every instrument! More info: Click Here

Join the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and the Five Points community in celebrating the history, culture and MUSIC of the Five Points neighborhood during the 7th Annual Five Points Jazz Festival. This FREE event takes place on Saturday, May 22 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. along Welton Street in Historic Five Points. The festival has it all: 13 bands on 5 stages. Click here for complete details and the 2010 line-up.

I am looking for musicians or bands to play on our stage at the McDonald’s at 200 16th St. This is a newly built restaurant on the 16th St. Mall in Denver. VERY HIGH profile. I am looking for 11:30-1:30pm M-F and Fri/Sat. evenings from 5-7pm. Compensation is free food and your ability to sell any merch or CD’s.

As many of you know through media reports, Governor Ritter announced this morning that he will not stand for re-election in 2010. I attended the press conference at the State Capitol this morning and heard the announcement first hand. I have attached his statement so you can read it for yourselves.

An open letter to Mayor Hickenlooper and special assistant to the mayor Chantal Unfug:

I am very disappointed to read the front page article in the December issue of Neighborhood Life about Month of movies possible for Civic Center. I understand that the city of Denver is financially strapped, but why does the city need to have a company from Switzerland present and make money off of showing films at Civic Center for $20 a ticket? Shame on Mayor Hickenlooper and Chantal Unfug, special assistant to the mayor! Shame on you for not involving local arts groups and presenters!!

The Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Colorado Public Radio are conducting an historic, one-time co-venture fundraising drive to support the Colorado Symphony—the major classical music and program provider for CPR. Our partner, Colorado Public Radio, is graciously conducting an on-air fundraising campaign, Bringing the Music to Life, on behalf of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. The on-air drive begins November 30 and culminates on December 2 with a live broadcast of the Orchestra’s sold out performance featuring musical icon Yo-Yo Ma.

To make a contribution now, please click here. For more information about the campaign, please click here for the full news release.

DMA’s Membership Directory & Resource Book is an ideal place for low-cost, targeted advertising. In 2008 we printed 1,500 copies that were delivered to DMA members, Booking Agents, Hotel Entertainment Directors and Caterers. This book is an excellent marketing tool for all local, music-related businesses.
2010 Advertising Rates will be 20% less than 2008.

The Denver Musicians Association recognizes Gloria Holliday, who was recently elected as president of the Denver Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Gloria has long championed causes of the African American community.

Meetings are held at 10:00 AM on the third Saturday of every month at 2823 Fairfax Street in Denver. The general public is encouraged to attend.more

Daniel Dawidzionek was born in Poland where he began his education and career as a jazz and classical trombonist. The Denver Musicians Association welcomes Daniel as a new member and resident of Westminster, CO. Contact Daniel directly at: 303-426-4674 or 303-884-3037 (cell) more info

(January 8, 2009) The CSO today announces the appointment of James W. Palermo as its new President and CEO. Palermo comes to Denver from Chicago, Illinois, where he served for 14 seasons as the artistic and general director of the Grant Park Music Festival. Accepting the appointment, Palermo states, “I am delighted to be joining the Colorado Symphony Orchestra as its next president and CEO, and I look forward to working with its musicians, Music Director Jeffrey Kahane, the Board of Trustees, volunteers and staff to make it one of the premier ensembles in the country.

On Saturday, March 8, the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs will present its 3rd annual Building Creative Businesses Expo.

Congratulations: Junior Symphony Guild Celebrates 50 Years! Don’t forget to come to the Bauer’s Celebrates 50 Years of JSG at the new Bauer’s Restaurant (the old Victory Grille, 1512 Curtis St, Denver) downtown this Sunday, from 4-7pm. Bauer’s is…
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The Denver Musicians Association is now looking for individuals (YOU?) who are willing to lead a legislative effort to shift state law to the “Just Cause” standard, which is clearly the professional and respectful manner of doing business. We need your personal stories and determined effort to help us make this legislative change.

Please check out our website at: broadwaymusicschool.com *Acclaimed teacher and performer Masa Ito, guitar professor with DU Lamont School of Music, will be coaching classical guitar ensembles for both adults and young musicians. New sessions will begin on Monday evening,…
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Labor’s Community Agency operates on charitable gifts. Each year from October 1 through December 31, Labor’s Community Agency sends out a Cry for Help . . . to replenish the Agency’s Emergency Assistance Fund. These dollars are only used to assist Union Members, their families, and the community during time of crisis or need. These dollars are not used for overhead, salaries, programs, etc., but again, to provide members, their families, and the community with emergency assistance.

November 14, 2007, (New York, NY) – Details of the nation’s first truly combined National Performing Arts Convention (NPAC) were announced today in New York City. It will take place June 10-14, 2008 in Denver, Colorado, NPAC is expected to bring together nearly 5,000 actors, administrators, conductors, producers, dancers, trustees, singers, marketers, critics, composers, volunteers, musicians, businesses, instrumentalists, educators, directors, fundraisers and agents.

The World’s Leading Brass Career Seminar
Hosted by Summit Brass and the University of Denver
July 6 – 12, 2008
Honoring the legendary trumpet virtuoso, Rafael Méndez (1906-1981), the Rafael Méndez Brass Institute is the world’s leading performance and career development seminar for brass musicians and educators age 18 and
older. All participants perform in brass ensembles and masterclasses, coached
by some of the foremost brass artists in the nation. Daily career seminars are designed to assist participants with auditioning techniques, ensemble organization and administration

Mayor John W. Hickenlooper, the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs continue the annual tradition of the Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, recognizing individuals and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions to the arts in the City and County of Denver.
Please use the following link to access the nomination details and form, and instructions on how to submit your nomination:
www.denvergov.org/HomePage/TheNominationForm/tabid/427976/Default.aspx.

The Better Denver Program—Issues A through I on this fall’s mail-in ballot election includes everything from essential street maintenance and hospital and public safety projects, to cultural facilities improvements and upgrades. If passed, a portion of the bond proceeds will enable the City of Denver to expand and make critical improvements to Boettcher Concert Hall, transforming the outdated facility into a vibrant symphony center, while creating a new facade for the Denver Performing Arts Complex and putting a well-deserved spotlight on Denver’s cultural scene.

BROOKVALE,CO – The Beacon of Creativity in the Rocky Mountains, will celebrate the opening day of the ARTS & HUMANITIES MONTH, Monday, October 1, 2007 on the West Steps of the State Capitol. This day will have dance, music, theater, visual art, literature, poetry and historical moments.

Denver is also prepared to present Arts Week, starting with a super First Friday, Plein Arts and Opening of the Louvre Exhibition at the Denver Art Museum, October 5-12 throughout the City and County of Denver, and beyond.

WHEN: Monday, OCTOBER 1, 2007 10AM to 6PM National Arts & Humanities
WHERE: Around 5280 West Step at the State Capitol, Denver, Colorado
INFORMATION: 303-825-7570 www.Brookvale.biz

The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and the SCFD Denver County Cultural Council have partnered with Artspace Projects, Inc., a Minneapolis-based national, nonprofit developer, to study the space needs of the creative community in the seven-county Denver metro area. This study will assist in the potential future development of affordable space where artists may live and work, and where arts organizations and creative businesses may thrive. The study has already been completed by over 300 visual artists but very few musicians have told us what kind of space you need and can afford!

Doug Adams’ principal argument for a comprehensive overhaul of Boettcher Concert Hall is simple: It’s time. In the last decade or so, the city has built or expanded nearly all of its other important civic structures, from Invesco Field at Mile High and Denver International Airport to expansions of the Colorado Convention Center and Denver Art Museum… The symphony has agreed to increase its commitment of private funding to $30 million. The city’s proposed portion has been shaved to $60 million, with $20 million as part of a $70.9 section to refurbish public buildings and $40 million as part of a $70 million cultural facilities component.

Source: Denver Post. For the rest of this story go to: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_6442103